“Don’t worry. I’m also busy. She’s the only one who isn’t.”
“Tell her Friday.”
“You should tell her.”
“Why me?”
“I think she would appreciate it if it came from you, Ben.”
He thought back to those texts Eden had sent him in the aftermath.I embarrassed her. Scared her. Humiliated her.What was supposed to be a hot and beautiful night sharing something had turned into somethingugly.And all because Benson couldn’t keep his cool in a sex club.
Perfect timing for Drew to come back out, dressed in leggings and a sweatshirt.
“You’re leaving already?” she asked Liam, who made for the door.
“Ah, yeah. Was just stopping by before a meeting. Good to see you, Drew.”
The disappointment on her face was palpable.Sweet Jesus.Drew had been one of the most affected when Liam left, and Sydneyneverlet Benson hear the end of it.“Why is she crying so much? Nothing was going on between them, right? I swear to God, Ben. This is why you don’t introduce your young daughter to strange people the moment you get to know them. Kids grow attached!”Said the woman who was remarried within a few months…
I could’ve been remarried by now.Anna. Chloe. Violet. Libby. He had loved them all in his own way.
Eden.
“I’ll tell her,” Benson said.
“Tell who?”
Both men looked at Drew. Liam was put on the spot, but it was Benson who had to explain things to his own daughter. “I’ve been seeing someone, peach. We’ve hit a bit of a rough patch, and your Uncle Liam has injected himself into the equation.”
“Jeez, Ben.”
“What? She’s old enough to know some things now.”
Drew was still confused, of course. “I knew you were dating around, Daddy, but didn’t realize it had been the same woman. Oooh, is she cute?”
“The cutest,” Liam interjected. “Your dad’s a lucky guy. You might say I’m jealous.”
“Do I get to meet her?”
“Not yet, peach. Maybe if we get through this patch.”
Drew was placated by that. “Are you staying in town?” she asked Liam.
“Yeah. I’ve moved back for the foreseeable future.”
“Can wepleaseget dinner sometime? I wanna hear all about Cali!”
“She almost went to Stanford,” Benson proudly said. “That was her backup school.”
“Daddy! It so wasn’t.”
“You’re a bright kid.” Liam ruffled Drew’s fluffy hair, making her giggle while also ducking out of his way. Even though she was almost as tall as him now, Drew still knew how to act like that gangly middle schooler who climbed her father’s friends like giant pine trees so she could get better looks at the tigers.
Fuck.It all hit Benson like a truck.
“Maybe.” Liam glanced at Benson, who was noncommittal about whether he thought that a terrible idea or didn’t care. One thing hecouldtrust Liam with was Drew.One of the only men on this planet I’d be fine leaving her alone with all night.And Benson knew every one of Liam’s dirty, filthy secrets.
But he had never been untoward with Drew. Never once gave either Benson or Sydney reasons to distrust him. He took his role as “uncle” as seriously as he would as a big brother and all that entailed.