She didn’t want to embarrass him.

Glancing up at him, she saw he was grinning, his hand in hers as they walked through the front doors and were greeted by the staff of the arena. He was so sweet, wishing them all merry Christmas, asking about their families and just being a genuinely nice guy. The best part was when he introduced her and Angie.

“This is my girlfriend, Lucy, and my little ray of sunshine, Angie.”

Angie, of course, beamed at that, and so did Lucy. She felt…she felt fucking perfect. Fantastic, even, and her nerves settled a little. Well, that was until they entered the rink and all the Assassins and their families or plus ones were there.

“Oh, we need to get you skates. Angie, go down and get ready, I’ll be right back. There’s Jayden. Hey, Sinclair, can you get Angie while I get Lucy some skates?” he called down to her brother. Jayden nodded as Angie skipped happily down to him.

But Lucy stopped Benji. “It’s fine. I don’t like skating anyway.”

He paused, his face twisting in complete confusion. “Excuse me?”

She smiled. “I’m not very good.”

“You grew up with three boys playing hockey, and you aren’t a good skater?”

She shrugged. “I’m good at hockey on my feet, but skates and ice…eh, not good.”

He rolled his eyes. “Come on,” he said, pulling her along despite her protest. “My woman will skate well.”

She laughed at his silliness as they went back out to the lobby and then down to the locker room, where the skates were lined up for everyone. She noticed Lucas Brooks bent down, tying his wife’s skates.

“Lucas, that’s tight,” she complained as Benji got Lucy some skates.

“I know, babe, it’s supposed to be,” he said, grinning up at her, waggling his brows. “You know, tight.”

“Freaking sicko,” she muttered as her eyes widened. “Aiden James! Grab Emery before she tries to eat that whole thing of popcorn, please. Stella, love, come here. You can’t spin in skates on carpet. Asher! Come on, those are stairs,” she complained. The oldest one, who was very handsome, turned, looking at her wildly.

“Mom, this kid is nuts! Go give her back to the wolves,” he said, snatching the littlest one up and holding her over his head. She was adorable, so pretty. Hell, all the kids were cute as all get-out.

“They won’t take her back. Come on. Please!”

“Fallon, gorgeous as ever,” Benji said, unlacing the skates.

She grinned up at him. “Why couldn’t I marry you, Benji? I picked this lug who knocked me up four times with a bunch of hellions.”

Benji gave her a toothy grin as Lucas laughed, “’Cause it’s a joy for me. And she’s the damn leader of the hellions.”

Smacking him, she smiled as Benji said, “Well, Fallon, when you have such a gorgeous woman that you love, it’s bound to happen. Just wait, Lucy will be just like you soon enough.”

Lucy’s eyes widened and she scoffed. “The hell you say!”

Fallon laughed at that as Lucas stood, grinning over at Lucy. “Ah, the girl who has changed Benji’s world. Whoa, I know you. You’re Sinclair’s sister. Ha!”

Lucy’s cheeks reddened as Fallon wobbled on her skates. “Well, I love her already if Benji is head over heels for her. Hi, I’m Fallon Brooks.”

“Lucy Sinclair. It’s nice to meet you.”

“You, too,” Fallon said, giving her the once-over. “Just wait, everyone will be gushing over you soon enough. Everyone loves Benji. Knowing he’s finally found himself a girl will be big news.”

That’s what she was worried about.

As Lucy sat down like Benji told her, Fallon said, “See y’all out there.”

He started tying her skates, and she watched as Fallon and Lucas rallied their kids together and headed back down the tunnel to the ice. Looking up at her, Benji grinned. “Didn’t freak you out with that comment, did I?”

She shrugged. “A little, but I’m not having four kids.”

“We’ll see,” he said with a wink as he tightened her skate.

“Ah, that’s tight.” He grinned and she smacked him. “Don’t.”

“Hey, I’m not the one with the monster dick in a box,” he said and then he paused. “God, I’m hilarious.”

“You’re a dork,” she said dryly, shaking her head.

He moved to her next skate, and she watched as he tightened it, making sure it was good before tying them securely. Wiggling her toes as he sat down to put his skates on, she decided this would be okay. She was a horrible skater, but at least Benji couldn’t leave her alone for everyone to swoop in and give her the third degree where she could possibly embarrass Benji.

She should have just stayed home.

“What’s wrong with you? Are you nervous or something?”

She looked over at him. “What?”

“You are nervous. Why? Everyone is great. I promise.”

She shrugged. “I’m kinda standoffish, and what if I embarrass you?”

He laughed. “Just have fun. I know you won’t. Now come on, let’s get to the ice,” he said, standing and helping her up. She was hesitant, but she made it out on her own. She even skated a bit before she went crashing down in a heap of legs and arms. Standing above her, Benji shook his head. “That was pathetic.” She glared up at him as Jayden came to a stop beside them. “How does your sister not know how to skate, but your niece does?”