“It’s all in the marinade,” he said, giving the women some privacy. But I kept glancing over at them, drawn to Dayna, her closed-off posture, and the way she pressed the tip of her thumb against her lips.
“Dumfries,” Carson growled, and my eyes snapped to his. “It’s rude to stare.”
“Fuck you,” I mouthed, and he snorted.
“Come on. Let’s dig in.” Mr. Benson placed the plate down in the middle of the table, which was already full of food. Salad and potatoes and freshly baked bread. It was a real feast, and it felt weird as fuck to sit down with them.
They were clearly close. Had obviously done this a lot over the years. Carson helped Mrs. Benson hand out mismatched plates and silverware with easy familiarity while Dayna filled everyone’s glasses with freshly made lemonade.
I’d never had this. Family—blood or made—laughing and talking over a meal. My childhood was filled with disappointment and heartache, the kind that hardened your heart and blackened your soul.
“Everything okay, sweetheart?” Mr. Benson asked Dayna, and she nodded.
“Everything’s fine, Dad.”
Another tight-lipped smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
Clearly, she was lying, but it wasn’t my place to push her, and she didn’t owe me anything.
Shit. I shouldn’t have come here, trying to fit into their happy little family and play nice. Carson knew me well enough that he knew I didn’t know how to do this—to be the kind of guy who charmed people with stories from my past.
“This steak sure smells good.” Carson helped himself to one and loaded his plate with salad and potatoes.
“Best damn steak in the whole town of Dupont Beach.” Mr. Benson turned his attention to his daughter again. “Are you looking forward to starting your internship, Dayna Bug?”
“I am.”
“When do you start?” Carson asked.
“Not until the week after next.”
“We’ll have to take the boat out for old time’s sake. Give Aiden a lesson on the water.”
“I’m good staying on dry land,” I said, digging into my food.
“Nonsense,” Mrs. Benson scoffed. “You won’t find a better teacher than Carson. He and Dalton taught Dayna everything she knows.”
A heavy silence fell over the table.
“Dalton sure did love to go out on the lake,” Carson’s voice cracked.
I was an intruder here in their moment of shared grief, and I didn’t know what the fuck to do.
“Excuse me,” Dayna shot up out of her seat. “I… I need to use the bathroom.” She took off without another word, and Mr. Benson let out a heavy sigh.
“I’ll go after her.”
“No,” he said to his wife. “Leave her be. It will always be tough on her, coming back here.”
Carson stared up at the house, pain shining in his eyes, but he didn’t move to go after her either.
“I’m sorry about that, Aiden.”
“You don’t need to apologize, Mr. Benson. I’m the one who feels like they’re intruding.”
“Nonsense, any friend of Carson’s, is welcome at our table. Besides, it isn’t every day you get to meet a future NHL star.” He winked.
“Oh, I don’t know about that, sir.” I dropped my eyes, pushing the salad around my plate.