“How you feel, superstar?” Jayden asked as girls passed by, congratulating Angie on a good game.

“My feet hurt and I’m tired. A nap is in order for this glittery butterfly princess,” she decided, and they both laughed as Benji picked her up, putting her on his shoulders, watching her skates so they didn’t cut him.

“Well, then, glittery butterfly princess Angie, I’ll shall carry you to your bag,” he said and she giggled.

“Thank you, good sir. Man servant, my stick, my helmet,” she said, handing Jayden her things and he took them, a grin on his face.

“Yes, yes, princess.”

Dissolving in laughter, Benji’s heart almost couldn’t handle it. It was all too damn much. Too damn sweet and perfect. Man, this was the life.

As they walked together toward the door to leave, Angie replayed the game. While Benji listened, he saw that Rick was talking to Lucy, his wife and daughter behind him, everyone looking very awkward and uncomfortable. When Rick’s face got red and Lucy glared, the hair on the back of Benji’s neck stood to attention. He looked up to Angie, but she was too busy talking and didn’t notice Rick, which was good.

Clearing his throat, he said, “Why don’t you go change? You’re all wet. Jayden will take you.”

Jayden nodded, noticing where Benji was looking, and said, “Yeah, come on, glittery butterfly princess.”

Carefully, Benji took her off his shoulders and she went with Jayden as Benji made his way to Lucy. Her mom and River were with her, and he was sure she was fine, but he needed to be there.

Wanted to be there.

Coming up just as Rick sneered, “You made a big deal about me being here, and she doesn’t even care I was here. She didn’t even look at me! Why did I come if she didn’t care?”

“She did care! She looked at you twice. I don’t know what you want, Rick. I can’t make her get up your ass,” Lucy snapped back as her mother’s hand came down on her shoulder.

“Lucy, just come on.”

“He isn’t worth it,” Baylor sneered, her eyes in slits.

“Whatever, you don’t even know shit,” Rick said to her, but then River was in his face.

“Watch it, buddy.”

“Get out of my face, old man. This has nothing to do with any of you and everything to do with her,” he said, pointing his finger to Lucy. “This is bullshit and you know it. Your family steals all my time. She doesn’t even care about me half the time.”

“Do you know you sound like a toddler right now?” Lucy bit out, her eyes flashing, and Rick stepped toward her, pulling up short when Benji came up beside her.

“All she cared about was—” he stopped and pointed to Benji “—this douche. Who are you? Why are you even here? You like little girls or something?”

“Rick! That’s enough,” Lucy yelled and the blonde behind him put her hand on his arm.

“Let’s go say bye to Angie. People are watching,” she said and Rick glared back at her, which made her snap her mouth shut.

“Buddy, you don’t know me, but I’d watch it,” Benji said sternly and Rick laughed.

“You aren’t even on my radar, dude. You don’t even matter. You’re nothing, you don’t know my kid, so go on somewhere else. This slut may be fucking you, but believe me, she’ll be done soon. She doesn’t last long. That door on her bedroom is revolving.”

“Whoa, now,” River yelled, pointing to Rick’s daughter. “You are disgusting to talk like that in front of your child.”

“He’s worthless,” Baylor mumbled, but Benji’s gaze never left Rick’s.

“What, big boy? Got something to say? That’s what I thought,” Rick said, and then his gaze went to Lucy. “Keep this dude away from my kid.”

Before Lucy could speak, Benji said, “Not gonna happen, dude.”

“What?” he roared, taking a step toward Benji. He went toe-to-toe with him, his hands shaking at his thighs. Rick was a good foot shorter than Benji, but he’d give it to him, the guy didn’t back down. “What did you say to me?”

“I said, not going to happen. I not only coach Angie, but I’m friends with her mother.”

“You mean, the fuck of the week? Listen, she’s a whore—”

He was cut short when Benji’s nose came toward his. “One more time. One more time, you disrespect the mother of your child, and I swear you’ll never speak another word a day in your life.”

“Benji,” Lucy urged as she pulled on his arm.

“Rick, that’s enough,” his wife complained, pulling at him, but he shook her off.

“You think you’re winning, dude? I had her before you. I know what that is. You’re wasting your time fighting for her.”

“You son of a bitch, you are a piece—” River pulled Autumn away as she kept screaming, Baylor going with them.

Lucy pleaded, “Please, Benji, he isn’t worth it. You’re only making it worse.”

He nodded slowly. “You heard me. Don’t ever disrespect her again.”

Rick scoffed, backing away and shaking his head. “Got you a big ol’ boyfriend. Think he can protect you? I’m already talking to lawyers, Lucy. This is going down.”

She was shaking, her hands digging into Benji’s skin as she glared back at her ex. “I don’t know why you are messing with what we have. It’s sound. Angie is happy.”