“Then what happened?”
“Aiden told them to shut up.”Yeah. Go, Aiden!
“And did they?”
“Yeah.” River blew out a breath.
“Did it bother you?” Bennett asked, treading lightly. “The words they used to describe you?”
“Nah. They’re dumb and boring. They have zero sense of style.”
I smiled at that.
“I agree. And they shouldn’t talk to you like that. But if it happens again, you’ll tell me or your mom, right?” Bennett was handling this like a pro.
I’d watched River blossom with Bennett’s presence and attention. River deserved to have a dad. A man who would help him navigate life’s challenges. Not that I couldn’t help him. But I knew some things carried more weight coming from a guy.
I hoped River’s silence meant he was nodding. I hated that he was going through this, but I was thankful he had Bennett. Had River opened up to Bennett because Bennett was a man or because he was who he was? I had a feeling it was the latter.
“You’re the coolest kid I know,” Bennett said, and my nose stung. “I love you, Butter Bean.”
“I love you too, Butter Butter. And you’re the coolest guy I know. Though, don’t tell Uncle Liam I said that.”
I laughed into my hand, though a tear fell down my cheek. These two.
“I won’t.” I could hear the grin in Bennett’s tone, and it made me smile.
I backed away from the door so they wouldn’t know I’d been eavesdropping and continued down the hall to the kitchen. When they emerged from the bedroom, River seemed as if a weight had been lifted. Bennett smiled at me, but his jaw was clenched tight. I understood the feeling. Relief for River mingled with outrage toward the kids who had bullied him. And where had the teachers been when it happened? Why hadn’t they done anything?
We didn’t speak of it again, moving on with our evening as usual. That night, after River went to bed, Bennett and I sat on the couch, drinking wine and watching TV.
“Thank you.” I swallowed, tucking my hair behind my ear. “For helping with River earlier. I know it meant a lot to him, and you handled it really well.”
“Thanks. I tried to think of what you’d say.”
“Really?” I tilted my head.
“Yeah.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Why do you seem so surprised?”
“I don’t know. I guess sometimes I worry that I don’t know what to say or how to be the parent River needs.”
“That’s not true.” He grabbed my hand and gave it a quick squeeze before releasing me. “You’re an amazing mom. And thank you for giving me the opportunity to help today.”
I smiled. “You know…one day, you’ll be an amazing dad.”
“I hope you’re right.” His eyes were focused on the screen, and his expression was unreadable. “I love River, and I would do anything for him.”
I placed my hand on his, his comment endearing him more to me than he could ever imagine. “I know. And he knows that too.”
“Good. He should. Because if those punk-ass kids so much as breathe in his direction again…” He shook his head, nostrils flaring. “I will make them pay.”
Why was that so sexy? The idea that Bennett would defend my son and me? Even so, I reminded myself that this was temporary. And as much as I loved having him here, Bennett had his own home. His own life.
In a few weeks, he’d move back to his house. And it would just be River and me again. Sure, we could call Bennett or invite him over, but it wouldn’t be the same. It honestly sounded kind of lonely. Did he feel it too?
“Never a dull moment around here.” I set my wineglass on the coffee table. “I’m sure you’ll be ready to go home when your house is done. It’ll be nice and quiet.”
“Mm,” he grunted. “Too quiet.”
