by Toni Aleo
When her phone rang, she fumbled with it, not checking who it was before answering, “Hello?”
“Honey, it’s me,” her dad said, and her body went rigid.
“Yeah, what did you find out?”
“He doesn’t have to let you talk to her, and his lawyer pointed that out. I already knew this, though, and I said I’d send the cops over for a well-being check. The lawyer didn’t want that, so he put me on with Rick over conference. I told him to call you. He said he wouldn’t, that he was spending time with his daughter. I asked to speak with Angie. The lawyer said Rick didn’t have to do that, but he did. She got on the line, and I asked if she was okay. She said yes. I told her you were thinking about her and missing her a lot. She said she missed you and loved you, that she missed me, and that she hoped I could come to one of her games. I asked if she wanted to leave Rick’s house. But before she could answer, the lawyer hung up. So I don’t know. It’s a fucking mess, and I’m gonna go ahead and get a court date, I think. Some things need to change.”
Lucy’s heart was in her stomach, and she was pretty sure she was about to throw up. She didn’t hear a lot of what he had said, except that Angie was okay. “So, she’s okay?”
“She sounded upset, but she wasn’t crying. I don’t know.”
“What do you think I should do? Should I go over there?”
“There is no point. He’ll call the cops, and then someone will get arrested, more likely you since you’d be on his property.”
Lucy looked down at the ground, sucking in a breath. “So just wait till tomorrow?”
“Yeah, talk to her tomorrow, and if you want to proceed, I’ll arrange for a date.”
“Okay,” she said, nodding slowly and feeling a little better. Not much, but at least she wasn’t about to lose her shit anymore. Clearing her throat, she said, “Thanks, Dad.”
“Anytime. Keep documenting, Lucy. Everything. We’ll get this fixed.”
“Okay.”
“And maybe you can get me that hockey schedule so I can come,” he said and Lucy froze. She could tell him to fuck off, tell him to go to hell, but it wasn’t in her. He didn’t have to help her, especially with how hateful she had been since the divorce, but he was helping. He was there for her.
“Let me think about that.”
“Of course,” he said, and that surprised Lucy. She expected a fight. “Call me tomorrow.”
“I will.”
“Oh, are you dating someone?”
Lucy paused. “Why?”
“Lawyer says that Rick wants there to be a no-contact clause between the guy and Angie. That he is a pedophile. Since I know you haven’t brought anyone around Angie since you left Rick, I’m sure this guy is decent. So I told him again to take a flying leap. I wanted you to know that, though.”
Digging her nails into her palms, she shook her head. “He’s not a pedophile, and that won’t work, not only for me, but because Angie loves Benji.”
“I figured. Call me tomorrow after you speak with her. We’ll go from there.”
“Okay. Thanks, Dad.”
“Anytime,” he said and then she hung up, looking over at Benji.
“What did he say?” he asked, tucking his hands into his pockets.
As she explained what was said, what her dad wanted to do, Benji listened and nodded. Throwing her hands up, she shook her head. “This is a fucking mess.”
He nodded, pulling her into his arms. “It is.”
“I don’t want to go into a custody battle, Benji. He says you’re a pedophile, and I swear he is doing this to hurt me. He knows I’m finally happy and that Angie is happy. It’s such bullshit.”
Looking up, she found anger in his eyes. “He can say what he wants, but we know the truth. Angie knows the truth.”
Nodding her head, she bit her lip as she gazed into his eyes. She couldn’t do this to him. It wasn’t fair. He was such a good guy. Any girl would be so lucky to have him, and here she was, with her nails in him while the clusterfuck of her life unfolded. “This is your chance, Benji. Before it gets to be too much.”
His brows touched as his lips curled. “Wait, what? No,” he said, holding his hands up and glaring at her. “Don’t tell me you’re saying this is my chance to get out.” She just looked at him and he shook his head, framing her face before pressing his nose to hers. “We’ve got this, we.”
As she leaned into him, nuzzling into him, she was surprised.
Surprised—because she was starting to believe him.
“I want cake by the ocean.”
Glancing over at Lucy as he drove to Audrey Jane’s, he smiled as the popular song by DNCE played. Her fingers were laced with his, and while she was off in a distant world, Benji knew they were going to be okay. Nodding his head, he said, “Hey, we’ll be in Florida in January, right? We’ll have cake.”
She exhaled a long breath. “Something to look forward to.”
“Yeah, it will be great,” he said, squeezing her hand. “I get to see you in a bikini.”
She looked over at him and he waggled his brows. Thankfully, she smiled. “Will you wear a Speedo?”
He scoffed. “Dick’s too big for that.”
Snorting with laughter, she brought his hand between both of hers in her lap. “Of course, how silly of me.”
“That’s what I was thinking,” he said and she laughed louder, her whole face bright as she leaned back in the seat, looking over at him.
“You’re great.”
He nodded. “I know.”
But the tension of the situation with Angie still weighed heavily on both of them. He knew she wasn’t his kid—he got that loud and clear—but that didn’t stop him from loving her as much as he loved Lucy. He may have fallen for Lucy first, but Angie was right behind her. Since the beginning, though, he had cared about her. He understood her, enjoyed her silliness. He thought she was an awesome kid, and his stress, his ache in his heart, was more caused not because of how much he hated seeing Lucy so upset, but because he was afraid Angie was scared. He wondered if she knew she couldn’t call Lucy. That Rick was keeping them apart.
It freaked him the hell out.
But he was going to stay strong for Lucy.
He would be her rock.
Turning into Audrey Jane’s, Benji smiled up at the cute little posh bakery that Audrey Odder had built from scratch. Rumor had it that she used to make cupcakes just for her family and then for Tate. He pushed her to open her own place, and she was prospering. Making all the cakes for the stars and professional athletes. She made fabulous sweets, and Benji’s favorite were her lemon cakes Crokmou that were inspired by Game of Thrones.
“I love Audrey’s cakes. She’s made Angie’s birthday cake for the last four years,” Lucy said as they parked beside River’s truck.
“Yeah, I gained like ten pounds over break eating her lemon cakes.”
She looked over at him, eyeing him. “The Game of Thrones one?”
He about melted at the mere thought of them as he nodded. “Yes.”
“So good,” she said, shaking her head as she got out.
“Best ever,” he agreed, getting out and locking up. “I should see if she could make me a birthday cake out of them.”
Lucy grinned. “That’s a good idea. Or I can. When’s your birthday?”
“Christmas.”
“Really?” she gushed, leaning into him, and he nodded.
“Yeah, when I was a kid, my mom was awesome about making Christmas one thing and my birthday another. Now, I just buy myself whatever big thing I want and call it good,” he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders as they headed toward the entrance. “Last year, since I turned thirty-two and I had no clue what I wanted, I took thirty-two disadvantaged kids from Erik Titov’s foundation shopping and bought them anything they wanted. It was really great.”
She beamed up at him as he pulled the door open. “That’s so awesome.”
“Yeah, it was.”
“Wel
l, my friend, I can’t separate your day this year because my mother is getting married, but next year, I got you,” she said, flashing him a grin, and his lips curved.
“Wait? Did you just look to the future?”
She shot him a deadpan expression. “Shut up.”
“Lucy! Benji! Over here, sweeties.”
Lucy’s shoulders fell at the sound of her mother’s cheerful voice, and Benji had to hold in his laughter. He knew she didn’t want to do this, but he didn’t care. He loved cake, and he really liked Autumn and River.
“You owe me,” she muttered as she turned to face them. Grabbing a hold of her butt, he nuzzled his nose in her ear.
“Oh, I got you later,” he whispered and she giggled as they headed toward a grinning Autumn and River. Before they could reach them, Audrey Odder appeared, her face bright as she wrapped Benji up in a tight hug.
“Benji! I didn’t know you were coming in. You should have called. I would have had some lemon cake ready.”
Squeezing her, he pulled back, grinning down into her beautiful, wide face. She had lost a lot of weight since the birth of her son, but she still had that round face that made you crave cupcakes. Or maybe it was the way she smelled. Like sugar and happiness. He wasn’t sure; he just knew he really enjoyed her cupcakes.
“I didn’t know I was coming. Here to cake test.”
“With the Moores? Jayden and Baylor’s mom and dad? How do you know them?”
Benji grinned as he pulled Lucy into his arms. “I’m dating Jayden’s sister.”
Audrey lit up, bouncing on her heels as she clapped her hands. “No! Yes? Ah, that’s so awesome. Oh my God, isn’t he the sweetest? I just love Benji,” she gushed, squeezing his arm, and Lucy grinned.
“He’s all right,” she teased and Audrey laughed, nodding her head.
“Honestly, one of the best guys I know other than my husband, and that says a lot ’cause I know a lot of Assassins men. But Benji, he’s a good one. You’re very lucky.”
A little red dusted her cheeks as she beamed up at him. “I know.”
“Eek! I’m so happy for you. Maybe we’ll do a cake testing for you two next,” she said with a wink, and Lucy’s eyes widened.
“Whoa, lady. Calm down.”
Audrey didn’t care, though. She giggled happily as she waved Lucy off. “You’ll see. Okay, let’s taste test!”
By the time they finished tasting all the cakes, Benji was ready to puke. He didn’t turn down cake, and Lucy and Autumn would only take a bite or two, so that left lots of cake for him and River. It was fun, though. River and Autumn were really something. Funny, and so into each other, it was refreshing. It gave him something to look forward to. They also treated him like family. Like they’d already decided he wasn’t going anywhere. They spoke to him the way they talked to Lucy, which was with nothing but love and support. It was great. After being so alone and only having the guys from the team when he allowed himself to be around them, to now having Lucy, Angie, and her family, it was just nice. Really nice.
“So do your parents visit much, Benji? You said you’re from Chicago, eh?” River asked and Benji nodded, feeling Lucy tense up next to him.
“Yes, sir. Um, but I don’t speak to my parents. Haven’t in a really long time.”
Autumn’s face twisted. “My goodness, can I ask why?”
“No, Mom,” Lucy said, shaking her head. “That’s his business.”
“No, it’s fine,” he said, but Lucy gave him a look.
“Please don’t think you have to say anything to them because of me, really. Just tell them to butt out,” Lucy said, and he laughed as Autumn tsked at her.
“That’s not nice,” she said and Lucy shot her a look.
“Mom, you’re asking him something personal.”
“Because I like him. We are friends. And he’s dating you!”
Benji laughed as River rolled his eyes. “It’s fine, really.”
“Whatever,” Lucy decided, leaning against him and nibbling on the last piece of cake. “She’s nosy and she won’t stop.”
“Lucy Lane!”
“Just saying.”
Chuckling, Benji looked over at Autumn and he sucked in a deep breath. He understood their interest and appreciated it, but it was never easy speaking of the family he’d lost. “My family wasn’t there for me when I needed them. I had a drinking problem, and instead of supporting me and being there for me, they kicked me when I was down, blamed me for stuff, and basically told me they wished I had died instead of my brother. At the time, I agreed with them. But now, I know they were just shitty people. Because of that, I live by the motto, ‘If you don’t add to my life, you’re out of my life.’”
“Wow, that’s deep,” Lucy said with a nod. “Great motto.”
“Yeah, one life to live, you know. I want it to be the best I can make it.”
“Exactly. That’s why I’m marrying this gal right here,” River said, pulling Autumn into the crook of his arm. “She’s the best.”
“Gag, get a room,” Lucy teased, but Benji didn’t think they heard her as they kissed sweetly. “Mom, you guys decide on a cake?”
But Autumn ignored her, looking at Benji. “So if you don’t mind my asking, why are you still single?” Lucy started to choke on the milk she had just taken a drink of.
“Mom!” she gasped, before choking a little more, and Autumn waved her off.
“We’re friends, remember?” Autumn said and then she pointed to him. “Plus, he’s amazing. Such a sweet guy, so doting on you, and great with Angie. So why hasn’t anyone scooped you up yet?”
Benji smiled as Lucy muttered a curse. “Mom, leave him be!”
“No, it’s fine,” he said, his hand sliding across her back to rest against her shoulder.
“She won’t stop.”
He heard her loud and clear, but he honestly didn’t mind. “I was married before.”
“So you’re divorced? Hm, I didn’t think that about you. You seem like the kind of guy who won’t back down from a fight,” River said and Benji nodded.
“No, I’m not,” he said simply, and there was a flicker of confusion in Autumn’s eyes. “My wife and my two-year-old daughter were killed in a car crash about twelve years ago.”
Lucy blew out a breath as both Autumn’s and River’s faces changed, sorrow deep in their eyes. “My God,” Autumn gasped as River shook his head.
“I’m very sorry,” he said seriously and Benji nodded. “I hadn’t realized that.”
“Thank you,” he said with a soft smile. “I never remarried. Never found the right girl.”
His gaze drifted to Lucy, and her face filled with heat as she shook her head. “Don’t look at me like that.”
Chuckling, he leaned into her, kissing her temple as Autumn asked, “So you lost your brother too, all to car crashes?”
Benji nodded, meeting her sad gaze. “Same car crash. All three of them.”
“My goodness, bless your heart,” she was almost crying and Benji nodded.
“Enter drinking problem,” River stated with a nod. “Been there. Done it.”
Lucy’s eyes widened. “You did?”
“Oh, yeah,” River said, holding Autumn closer. “Baylor’s mom left me, and I left the NHL. I was depressed to no end, turned into a functioning alcoholic, and I thought I was good. But then I met your mom and things just changed. I didn’t need to be numb—I wanted to feel everything because I loved her.”
“Gagging, but wow, that’s sweet,” Lucy said, sending her mother a grin, but Autumn was too busy beaming up at River.
“Yeah, mine started when I was younger, but it got worse. Took me a long time to come back from that, but I’m coping. And while I didn’t stop for a woman, I stopped because I wanted to be a good guy, someone people could depend on, and maybe one day, love.” Looking over at Lucy, Benji found her lips quirked at the side, watching him with dark eyes.
“Well, I think you’re a great guy,” Autumn decided and
Benji smiled.
“He’s okay,” Lucy said, and Autumn tsked her as River chuckled.
“Yeah, I think I’m finally enjoying life. And when you enjoy life, you become the person you want to be.”
River and Autumn both grinned at Lucy as she groaned. “Ugh, stop, guys.”
That made them all laugh as Benji held her close.
“Well, I’ve been around Ms. Lucy Lane for a little over a year now, and I can say I’ve never seen her smile or laugh as much as she does when she’s around you,” River said, toasting his cup of milk to Benji.
Lucy rolled her eyes, her face filling with color as she looked across the table at her soon-to-be stepdad. “Never had anything to smile or laugh about, unless Angela Lynn had something to say.” That made all of them smile, but the tension was back. All of them worried about spunky little Angie. Lucy eyed Benji, a grin pulling at her lips. “But maybe I do now.”
“Well, I’d say so,” Autumn gushed, beaming ear to ear as River nodded happily. “So, Benji, tell me, what are you doing on Christmas?” Autumn asked and Benji shrugged.
“Well, I was hoping I could score an invitation to hang with you guys at apparently the coolest wedding ever.”
“Done. The whole family will be in. Jude and Jace will be excited to meet you. So please come.”
The thought of meeting the other Sinclair brothers as Lucy’s boyfriend kind of made him nervous, but he wouldn’t miss it for the world. “I’m there.”
Lucy grinned as she leaned on the table, his arm falling to her hip. “It’s his birthday,” she said as Audrey came to the table.
“Is it?” Autumn exclaimed, looking up to Audrey. “We need to have that lemon cake he keeps talking about as a side cake for one.” Benji wanted to protest, but he knew Autumn would ignore him. She was Lucy’s mother, very headstrong but not as angry, and he was finding he was starting to care for the sweet lady. “It’ll be Benji’s birthday.”
