Rushing the Goal
Page 112

“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.”