Don’t put that in my head.Benson knew better than to grimace at his daughter candidly talking about this, though. He’d rather she be open with him about whatever was on her mind than potentially keep dangerous information to herself.
“Because your mother got pregnant in school and doesn’t want that happening to you.”
“She got pregnant byyou!With me!”
“Boy, nothing gets past you, college girl.”
Drew bounded off the couch to get something from the fridge. Benson leaned his head back on his couch and stared at his ceiling through glazed-over eyes.In college and going to study abroad.Drew would be twenty-one a year from now. Old enough to drink. Certainly old enough to date and decide whatever fate was in her hands. The only thing that hurt his heart about her going to Italy was knowing he couldn’t experience it with her.The older I get, the more I understand what Sydney and mine’s parents must have felt.They had been aghast that Sydney was not only pregnant right when exiting grad school, butwasn’tplanning on doing something about it.I thought her dad would kill me.
He thanked God he didn’t have to worry about that with Eden.Double the birth control, double the fun.
Granted, he never worried about that with Liam, either. Despite whatever weird books his daughter picked up from the bookstore, said when he treated her to mini shopping sprees.Through the ass… babies delivered through the ass… can you believe it…
Now his eyes were glazed over for a different reason. He almost didn’t hear someone ringing his bell.
“I’ll get it!” Drew announced from the kitchen before Benson had the chance to go through who had access to his door. He hoped it wasn’t Liam. Since they had their tentative little truce while both dating Eden, he hadn’t…
Shit.
“Dad!” Drew’s voice echoed in the small foyer. “It’s a lady!”
Eden.She was the last person added to his list, and he had given her the instructions todrop by whenever she wanted.
Benson hauled himself off his couch and turned around. Sure enough, that was Eden standing in the doorway.
“Uh, hi.” She waved at him, looking as young as Drew with her fresh, youthful makeup, while holding her phone as if she had never detached from it. That was when he saw a notification from her pop up on his phone screen. “Am I interrupting?”
Benson attempted to stay casual as he approached. Drew respectfully stepped out of the way when her father was behind her, but her curiosity waspiqued.As if someone had just offered her that Disney World birthday party of her ten-year-old dreams.
“Not at all.” Benson was careful not to drop any nicknames in front of his daughter.Can’t be caught slipping, as she would say.The name “angel” was on the tip of his tongue. “What’s up?”
Eden cocked her head so she could see over his shoulder. Despite not turning around, Benson felt the electric energy between Eden and Drew’s eye contact.Hmm.He would have to address this.
“Eden, this is my daughter, Drew.” Benson stepped out of the way so both young women could be duly addressed. “She’s staying with me this weekend.”
“Oh… oh!” Eden blushed as she extended her hand to shake Drew’s. “I had no idea your daughter was over. Anyway, it’s nice to meet you, I’m Eden.”
“Hi. I’m Drew.” As if that had not been established…
They both looked at Benson. He wanted to go back into his room and shut the door.
But, no… he had to deal with this.
“Eden is my girlfriend.” There. Band-Aid off. “We’ve recently gotten more serious, so I guess it’s about time for you two to meet.”
“Hi,” Eden said again.
“I see.” Drew remained polite as she smiled at Eden. “I knew Dad was seeing someone, but I didn’t know she was… well, never mind.”
Basically your age?Benson had to nip this in the bud. “What’s up?” he asked again.
“Oh! Nothing. I was just in the area to get my nails done and thought I’d drop by to see if you were available for lunch… just a surprise. I should have texted you first.”
“We have plans to go out,” Benson said, referring to his daughter. “I’ll call you later.”
He hoped that got the message across without being rude. He even threw in a wink.
“Right! So sorry again. Lovely to meet you.” Eden waved at Drew before hauling ass down the hallway. Honestly, Benson was slightly offended that she hurried away so quickly.
