Lucy’s heart dropped, but before she could say anything, River asked, “How can she do that? That will be heartbreaking. Not to mention, unfair to Angie.”

Her father nodded, his face stricken. “I know, but it’s in the parenting plan. Lucy doesn’t have to force her to go, but she does have to drive her there and Angie has to be the one to say no. What Rick does is on him, which is why I want to be on the phone.”

Autumn took in a quick breath, tears in her eyes as Lucy’s own started to flood. When River’s hand came onto Lucy’s, she looked at him. “No worries, we’ll go with you. We’ll be with you. Don’t you worry.”

“I can’t stop him?”

Her father shook his head. “No, honey, no one can. It’s on him.”

“Even if he’s hurting her?”

“That’s why I’ll be on the phone.”

“She’ll hate me.”

“No, just talk to her,” he stressed as a tear rolled down her cheek and her heart ached.

“I can’t do it,” she whispered, and before her mom or dad could say anything more, she got up, heading down the bleachers as more tears threaten to fall. Her heart was pounding. It wasn’t even exchange day, but she was about to have a panic attack. She couldn’t watch Rick force her child to leave. She knew he would do it just to hurt her. And she couldn’t do anything about it? No. She couldn’t fucking do that.

Reaching the fresh air, she lifted her phone up and dialed Benji’s number.

When his face came over the phone, he was smiling, but then his grin disappeared as he stared back at her. “What’s wrong? Are you okay? Angie?”

“No,” she cried, shaking her head just as her mother put her arm around her.

“Lucy, baby, what’s wrong?”

How she was able to tell him what her father said through her tears would always be a mystery, but she did, her heart breaking in her chest as what she had to do tortured her. How was she supposed to tell this to Angie? Wouldn’t that be betraying her daughter? “How am I supposed to do this, Benji? How? Tell me how?”

Shaking his head, he ran his hand down his face as he sucked in a deep breath. “Fuck, baby, I don’t know,” he pulled in a deep breath as she cried, leaning into her mother. “I can’t come in early—we have a game Friday night and Saturday afternoon, or I would be there,” he said and she nodded.

“I know.”

“I want to be there. Can River go? And your mom? Can you guys go, Autumn?”

“Yeah, we’ll be there, honey,” her mother said, but Lucy wanted Benji. He knew what to do, how to calm her and handle Rick. Her mother and River might fly off the handle, and then everything would be a fucking mess. Even though it already was.

“I can’t do this, Benji. Explain how I am supposed to do this.”

“Like the strong woman you are,” he said simply, holding her gaze. “You can do this. You will do this. You will be strong for Angie. You will tell her it’s only two days and then she’s back home with us for the rest of the month. She is as strong as you, baby. She’s got this. She was raised by you,” he said, his voice breaking, and Lucy swallowed a sob as he had to look away. Looking back at her, he tried to smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “She is the best thing in this world, and she’s got this. I know she does, as I know you have it. You hear me?”

Her lip wobbled as she nodded. “Yeah, I hear you. I wish you were here.”

He paused, letting out a deep sigh. “I wish I never had to leave. I’m sorry I’m not there.”

“It isn’t your job—”

“Shut up,” he said simply and she laughed, her face brightening as her tears rolled down her cheeks. Looking into his eyes, she felt her heart yearning for him. He was so amazing. “Now, go watch her kick some ass and position the phone so I can see.”

“Okay. I miss you, Benji. I’ll call you back in a moment. I’m sure my mom wants to cry all over me.”

Autumn laughed against her shoulder. “I do.”

“See?” she said dryly and Benji laughed.

“Fine. Hurry, though. I don’t want to miss much, but I do I miss you more, baby.”

She smiled as she nodded. “Be back soon.”

He waved and she hung up, turning in her mother’s arms and hugging her tightly. Autumn’s tears wet Lucy’s face as she kissed her cheek. “He’s right, Lucy Lane. You are so strong and you’ve got this. You do. I know you do. But man, it’s gonna be hard.”

“It is,” she agreed, nuzzling her nose against her mom’s shoulder. “It’s going to gut me.”

“Me too,” her mom whispered as she hugged her tightly, kissing her one more. “But damn that man for being just freaking perfect! I’ve never crushed on a man, but Benji Paxton has my heart.”

Closing her eyes as her mom held her, Lucy smiled. “Me too, Mom. Me too.”

The rest of the week went by quickly. While Lucy was thankful for that since Benji would be home the following day, her heart was aching because she knew she had to take Angie to Rick. She hated it. It was December; she was supposed to be excited for Christmas, for her brothers coming in town, and for all of them being together for her mom’s wedding. But she was so stressed out she hadn’t done a lick of shopping and all she could think about was watching Angie being forced to go with her father.