Rushing the Goal (Assassins #8)(16)

“Yeah, when I can. We have a road trip coming up, so I might miss a lot more than I get to come.”

Shea nodded. “I appreciate the help, of course.”

Benji tapped gloves with him as he went off the ice to find Elli Adler kissing on her daughters. “Y’all did so good! I’m so proud. Boys, get off there!”

Benji grinned at where her three boys were jumping off the stands.

“They’re boys, babe, let ’em be.”

She shot him a look. “Oh, stay-at-home dad now, think you can handle broken bones?”

He cringed but still kept a grin on his face. “Hey, I’ve had my fair share. I can handle it.”

Sending Benji a sideways glance, she rolled her eyes. “He’d cry.”

“Hey!” Shea complained and Elli shared a laugh with Benji before patting his chest.

“Glad to see you out.”

He grinned and shrugged. “It’s good to be out.”

“Angie, honey?” They all looked to where Lucy was standing, her eyes on Angie. “Ready?”

“Yeah, Mom. See ya, Coach. Come on, Benji,” she said, pulling him along.

“Lucy, how are you?” Elli called to her and Lucy smiled, taking Angie’s hand before coming toward them.

“Good, you?”

“Good, thanks. How’s Baylor? I haven’t gotten an update.”

Lucy shook her head. “I haven’t either. My brother is currently ignoring my calls.”

Elli’s brows rose and Shea laughed. “He didn’t tell her he wasn’t coming tonight. Sent Benji instead.”

Elli tsked. “Brat, but hey, Benji is wonderful.”

“Yeah, he is,” Angie agreed and Benji’s face warmed from the praise. But when he glanced to Lucy, she didn’t seem convinced.

“Yeah, I might make it to where Jayden can’t have children. Haven’t decided.” She said it so matter-of-factly, like it was as easy as swatting a fly.

Scary.

Elli and Shea grinned as Benji winced. “As long as he can skate and score, I don’t care what you do to him.”

Lucy grinned, pointing to Elli. “I got you, boss.”

“Thanks, love, and I’m very excited about our appointment at the end of the week.”

Shea looked confused. “Appointment?”

“She’s gonna decorate our summer home in Florida.”

Shea made a face. “God, how much is that gonna cost? We’re poor now, Lucy. I don’t play anymore.”

Lucy laughed and, wow, what a sound. Watching as her face lit up and she shook her head, Benji found himself smiling too. Laughing looked so much better on that girl. She really should do that more. “Sure you are, Shea. Don’t worry, y’all get the family discount.”

“Thank God,” he breathed and Elli smacked him.

“Anyway, let me know when you want to have a sleepover for the girls. Shelli and Posey have been asking for Angie to come over.”

Wrapping her arm around Angie, Lucy nodded. “Will do. See y’all. Great practice, Shea.”

Shea beamed. “Thanks! See ya Wednesday, Angie.”

“Bye!”

When Angie started to pull Benji along, Lucy looked down at their hands and then to Angie. “Let go of the replacement, Angie.”

“Mom! His name is Benji.” Angie laughed and shook Benji’s hand. “Plus, he’s gotta ask you something.”

Lucy’s face twisted in confusion before looking up at Benji. Her eyes bored into his, and man… Was he breathless? Jesus, she was gorgeous. “Yeah?”

Confused, Benji looked at Angie. “I do?”

Still laughing, she rolled her eyes. “Yes! About Wednesday.”

“Oh!” he laughed, tapping her head again, but when he looked up at Lucy, she was glaring at him. Man, Sinclair wasn’t kidding about that resting bitch face…such a pretty girl, though. Hm. Well, it was about Angie, not her. “Yeah, I was wondering if you could bring her earlier Wednesday so we can get some pickup time in before everyone else hits the ice.”

Lucy’s brows came in, a little wrinkle appearing between her brows. “So you’re, what, doing this full time now? Did you talk to Jayden?”

He shook his head. “No, not at all, but I had a great time tonight and decided to help out as much as I can.”

Her face didn’t change. “Don’t you have to play?”

He shrugged. “Yeah, but I’ll work it out. I might miss more than I can come, but I want to come when I can.”

Still unsure, she held his gaze. “So you willingly want to do this when you have no child on the team? Or do you?”

Swallowing hard, he shook his head. “No child on the team, but I enjoy it.”

“Hanging with a bunch of seven-through ten-year-olds?” she asked, deadpan. “I’m sure you have better things to do.”

“Mom!” Angie complained. “You love hanging with me.”

“’Cause you are my everything,” Lucy said simply, her eyes never leaving Benji’s. “I’m not trying to be rude—”

“No?”

She faltered a bit. “I’m just saying, seems like a guy like you would have something better to do.”