Rushing the Goal (Assassins #8)(83)

Slamming her fist into his chest, she shook her head before pulling out of his arms. “Yeah, well, thanks.”

She turned on her heel, but he was right behind her. “What, you want me to stand by and not stand up for you?”

“I don’t need anyone to stand up for me,” she snapped back at him. “I’ve got this. I can deal with him. Just, shit!”

She opened the door but he pushed it closed, pulling her to the side. “No, don’t walk away from me.”

“I have to get to my daughter,” she bit out, her eyes flooding with tears. “Before my family makes this even worse.”

“Lucy, look at me,” he demanded, but she shook her head.

“I can’t. I just can’t, okay?” she said, pulling out of his grip. He didn’t want to let her go, but when he looked in the direction of her gaze, Angie was watching, her brows together. “I need some time.”

“Time?” he bit out, his heart pounding in his chest.

“Yes, just…please,” she said, moving out of his hold and walking to the door. She opened it and headed to where her family stood with Angie. Rick was nowhere to be seen, but Benji was frozen in place, unable to understand what he had done wrong.

He just wanted to be there for her.

How was that wrong?

No one should be able to talk to her like that. Maybe he had overreacted, but, no, that dick wasn’t going to treat her like that. He did nothing wrong. Did he? Shit.

Turning, he reached for the door, pulling it open and walking through before running his hands through his hair, frustrated. He wasn’t sure if he should leave or go to where everyone was acting like Rick didn’t matter and was gushing over Angie.

He knew he couldn’t leave without saying good-bye.

Walking to the group, he came between Autumn and Jayden, watching as Lucy helped Angie put on the clothes she had brought. When her mother’s hand came to rest on his arm, he looked down to see her smiling at him.

“Thank you,” she mouthed, her eyes full of appreciation. He nodded slowly, unable to speak as Angie rambled happily.

“I want Texas Roadhouse, River,” she said and River grinned.

“Anything for the superstar.”

She grinned and then looked to Benji. “You’ll come to lunch, right, Benji? Or are you busy?”

Lucy’s gaze cut to his, but then she went back to fixing Angie’s jacket.

Shit.

“Of course he’ll go,” Autumn said, rubbing his back with a big smile on her face. “He’s a big guy, he needs food. Right, hon?”

But Benji was looking to Lucy, waiting for any sign as to what he should say, but apparently that jacket was really important. Or the buttons were giving her a hard time. He wasn’t sure, and he didn’t know what to do. He didn’t even know where he stood with her, but before he could even decide, Angie was practically begging.

“Come on, Benji, please!”

Swallowing hard, he smiled down at her and nodded. “How can I say no to the glittery butterfly princess?”

“You can’t!” she cheered, wrapping her arms around Lucy’s neck. “I’m so happy!”

Lucy smiled as she kissed Angie’s cheek. “That’s all that matters, baby.”

But what about Lucy?

What about her f*cking happiness?





“Benji, can I ride with you?”

Looking over at Lucy, he found she wasn’t looking at him or even at Angie, for that matter. She was carrying Angie’s bag, her lips pressed together, her eyes on the door. God, he hated this. He didn’t want her to be upset, and he really didn’t like that he wasn’t sure if she was mad at him or not. He just wanted her to talk. Tell him something.

When he looked down at Angie, her eyes were wide and hopeful, and Benji couldn’t say no.

He was wrapped around her finger.

Hell, both of their fingers.

Insane.

“It’s up to your mom. You both are welcome to ride with me,” he said as he pushed the door open, holding it for both of them.

“Mom! Can we?”

“Angie, honey, I can drive.”

“Yeah, but I want to ride with Benji. He has, like, this huge truck—”

“Honey, not right now,” Lucy complained, rubbing her eyes, and when she looked down to see Angie’s dejected expression, she let out a breath. “I’m sorry, honey. I have such a headache.”

“More reason for Benji to drive.”

Clearing his throat, he said, “I don’t mind. I can bring you back to your car after lunch.”

Sighing, she shrugged, and he could tell she just didn’t want to fight. “Whatever. Stay with Benji. I’m gonna put your stuff in the car.”

Sliding her hand into Benji’s, Angie shrugged as they watched Lucy walk to her car. “Guess she’s not feeling good.”

“Yeah,” Benji said, his heart heavy. He was pretty sure she was mad at him, and he still really didn’t understand what he had done wrong. But he sure as hell wasn’t going to apologize. Rick could suck it; he wasn’t going to talk to Lucy like that. It was that simple. Clearing his throat, he gave her a weak smile. “She’ll be okay.”

Angie nodded. “Yeah, she always is. My grandma says she’s the strongest woman she knows.”