AN: you guys ;_; you bless me with your kind words and birthday wishes thank you SO MUCH 3
i couldn't not put out a chapter today because i have just finished writing chapter sixteen today and whooo boy it is a DOOZY and i want to get it out there as soon as possible
bless you all and i hope you enjoy this one!
"Mum?" a small voice called from outside the room. Roy felt Riza stiffen in his arms. He too froze, feeling as if they had been caught red handed. They hadn't discussed such things, but Roy got the distinct feeling that Riza wouldn't want her son to know about the true nature of their relationship. Not out of ill intentions, simply to protect him. There was no point in getting the boy's hopes up about the possibility of a relationship when, in reality, it had practically turned to dust around them. That particular thought made Roy wince internally.
"Are you okay?" James asked, his voice wobbling with emotion.
Glancing down at the woman in his arms, he watched as she looked almost fearfully up at him. A tear had fallen onto her cheek. Roy knew he should let go and move away, but he couldn't. So, instead, he removed his hands from rubbing her back to wiping away the tear. He smiled softly, watching Riza compose herself.
The woman who stepped around him was someone else entirely. The sadness she had just projected was gone and in its place was a mother's concern for her child. It was like a mask had slipped over her face. As she moved away from him, Roy's arms fell limp by his side. He got a distinct, painful feeling that this would be the last time they would ever be close again.
That kiss was worth it though.
"I'm all right James," she smiled, bending to lift her son into her arms.
Watching her smile made Roy realise just how much he envied her. She portrayed a strength that Roy only wished he could possess half of. It was as if their previous conversation didn't happen. Not in a malicious way, but in way that would stop the child from worry about his mother. In all honesty, Roy thought he was too young to worry about such things anyway. Judging by the way Riza had spoken about her childhood and raising James when they were in the park not too long ago, he knew she felt the same way.
Riza wiped away her son's tears. "What are you crying for buddy?"
"I thought you were sad because of how I acted earlier."
Riza chuckled, bringing the boy over to the couch. She sat down, hugging him close to her. Her eyes closed at the action and Roy wished he could go over there and join them. But he wasn't the boy's father. He wasn't Riza's partner. Instead he only had an empty apartment to return to.
"Not at all," she replied softly. "You don't need to worry about that. You just need to stop going in the huff when you don't get your own way," she smiled wryly, pinching his nose with a grin. The boy's smile was tentative, but seeing that he wasn't going to get into trouble, it widened. It warmed both their hearts.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled tiredly. James closed his eyes, resting his head on Riza's shoulder. "I thought I heard you upset."
"Not at you, buddy," she replied, her voice quiet.
"Why were you crying?"
Damn, the boy was observant.
"I –"
"That was because of me," Roy interjected. An idea occurred to him as Riza trailed off. "I told her about what you said to me today. I told you she wouldn't get upset at you." He smiled although inside he felt like doing anything but. However at this point, he was a becoming a master at hiding what he truly felt. It became incredibly handy while facing off against his father.
"What is Roy still doing here?" he mumbled, eyes closing, his mind already moving onto the next point of interest.
Riza shot him a look. "He is going home now. Roy was telling me you were asking about your Dad today," Riza reiterated, no doubt wanting to get to the bottom of this. "Is that true?"
James was quiet for a long time. Roy had just begun to leave as he spoke again. He felt like this was not a conversation he should have been privy to.
"Yeah." His voice was stronger, having shaken off the effects of sleep. "But if you don't want to tell me it is okay." Roy made a gesture that he was going to leave. Riza nodded, her face understanding. But the disappointment still remained there. "I like Roy," James mumbled again, diverting from the conversation. "Jessica at school says he can't be my Dad because he isn't married to you but he feels like a Dad to me."
The man froze while out of sight in the hallway, chest constricting painfully. Shit. His heart soared at the thought of the boy trusting and liking him that much. But that was not good for their current situation. A hand gripped on the front door's handle, a slightly curious part of him waited to see what Riza's reply would be.
"I know honey," she whispered softly. "It would be great if he could be."
And with those words, Roy walked out of the small family's home. He couldn't hear anymore. Because if he did, he would never leave.
His own apartment felt colder than it usually did. He went through the motions locking up. Once in bed, the last half hour played over and over in his head. He lay awake all night, unable to shake the painful weight from his chest. Just when everything was starting to go so right…
He had finally met someone he felt he could be happy with and his father threatened to ruin it all. He already was, just with a simple threat.
But, no… This wasn't just about his father. Roy didn't stand up to the man in the way he should. He was a push over when it came to his father. Granted, these were higher stakes than any normal person would play with. But goddamn it… Roy should fight for what he cared about.
He should fight for who he loved.
Giving up on sleep at six am, Roy got out of bed and changed to go to the gym. He had a lot of frustration and anger to work out and lifting heavy weights would be just the ticket. Grabbing his keys and work bag, he threw it over his shoulder with purpose. An hour or two in the gym would do the trick for the day. The thought of this becoming a daily thing to work out his frustrations sounded like a good idea, however it would mean that he would miss his morning elevator rides with his neighbours. The rides that had begun to get him out of bed early in the morning.
Two hours later Roy was out the gym, feeling lighter. His muscles ached from the exertion of an hour of weight training followed by a eight mile run. The workout had done the trick at venting his anger, but did nothing for his frustration at his current position. Even Havoc picked up on it when he walked into their office at nine o'clock.
"Who crapped in your cereal this morning?" were the first words out of his mouth, an eyebrow raised as Roy placed his coffee cup on his desk with more force than necessary, causing the burning liquid to slosh inside the cardboard, slightly burning Roy's hand. "Also, why are you in on a Sunday?"
"I am sick and tired of that bastard ruining my life," he growled, snatching the paper from atop his desk. On the front page, the Mayor was grinning and waving to a crowds outside City Hall. Some bullshit about opening a new state of the art library. Roy wondered where all the money for that particularly extravagant project came from? Judging from Grumman's budget reports, the city had no money to pay for such a project. "You in?" he asked Havoc, his gaze raising to meet the blonde detective's sharply.
Havoc watched him silently over the top of his coffee cup. He nodded slowly. "Where do you want to start?"
Roy tossed the newspaper in the trash bin by his desk.
His mood didn't improve throughout the day as a certain time frame began to creep closer and closer. He had eyed his watch too many times while they were carrying out surveillance the Mayor's office across the street. From past individual surveillance, Roy had determined the Mayor entered his office at around five o'clock every Sunday night. He stayed for about twenty minutes, making various phone calls, before leaving once more. Roy wanted to find out what those calls were about.
Gaining access to the office building across from the office had been all too easy on a Sunday. There was no one to interrupt the two detectives as they worked and they wouldn't be disrupting any work so the security guard let them in no problem.
"Would you stop checking your watch so damn often," Havoc griped as he looked through the pair of binoculars.
"How did you know I was checking my watch?"
"I can hear you moving constantly. It's irritating."
"Well so are you but here we are."
Havoc lowered the piece of equipment and glared at his grinning partner.
"Seriously Mustang, what is up with you? Got a hot date tonight that you are going to ditch me early for?"
Ignoring the painful feeling in his chest and the fleeting thought of I wish, Roy snorted derisively. "No."
"Then what?"
Interrupting the conversation, Roy's phone buzzed in his pocket. Grateful for not having to answer the question, he answered it with a pleased smirk. Havoc rolled his eyes in reply, going back to his binoculars. "Mustang."
"Hey Roy!" a child's voice called into the phone. He winced at the volume.
"James?" he replied in confusion. Why would he be calling him? His stomach clenched at the thought that something bad had happened.
"Where are you?" he asked, his tone accusatory. "Tonight is Xbox night! Uncle Jean can't make it tonight because he is working so I thought we could play Lego Avengers together."
"Ah…" Shit. "Sorry James, I have to work tonight with your Uncle Jean. I won't make it." Havoc gave him a sidelong glance.
Silence.
"Hey buddy," Havoc called from his spot, eyes returning to his binoculars.
Still silence.
Roy sucked in a guilty breath. In his frustration and bad mood this morning, he had forgotten about their Sunday nights. For the last couple of weeks James had been coming round to Roy's house for an hour or two to play the Xbox with him. They called Havoc in too and the three of them played games together. Roy would be lying if he said it wasn't one of the highlights of his week.
"I'm really sorry buddy –"
"It's okay," he replied sadly.
Shit.
"I'll make it up to you," he replied before thinking. Stop it! This was not part of the "stay away to protect them" plan! "I promise."
"It's okay," he repeated. "Mum said you might be working."
Roy's stomach clenched at the mention of her. God, he really wished it wouldn't.
"Did you talk everything through with her?" Roy asked, lifting the binoculars to his eyes once more as he spotted a black car roll up outside City Hall. The windows were tinted black so they couldn't see who was inside.
"Yeah," he replied. His voice seemed… Lighter. Like a burden had been lifted from him. "We talked about my Dad this morning. I've got a picture of him now and I know what he looks like. Mum says I have his eyes but I don't know how that is possible. I have my own eyes."
Roy chuckled. "I'm happy for you bud." He nudged Havoc with his elbow, nodding to the car as his father stepped out. A series of clicks sounded as Havoc took photos of the man entering the building. "And I am sorry about tonight. I will make it up to you, I promise."
"Okay! I can't wait!" The knot in Roy's stomach loosed slightly as he heard James' excited tone. Then, there was a muffled conversation on the other side other phone.
"James? Who are you talking to?" Riza asked.
"No one!" James exclaimed in a poor attempt at lying, no doubt to his mother. A second later, the call disconnected.
Roy sighed as he lowered the phone away from his face.
"You stood up the poor kid," Havoc stated in mock disgust, shaking his head, but not without a grin.
"I was preoccupied." Havoc didn't know the whole story between himself and Riza and the raven-haired man didn't particularly want to get into it right now.
"I just hope you have a pretty big surprise planned," he joked. Upon seeing the troubled look on Roy's face, Havoc dropped his jokes. "What's up?"
His question was sincere and Roy almost told him there and then. He needed to get it off his chest, needed to tell someone, but the universe once again decided to get in his way.
Quickly checking his watch then scribbling down the time, Roy lifted the binoculars once more, he peered through them. Right on time, his father entered his office. Dropping the conversation, Havoc copied his partner, alternating between the equipment and his camera. Roy flipped on the recording device as he connected to the bugs in the Mayor's office. There was a barely distinguishable click before they heard the man humming to himself.
They both watched as Richard Mustang lowered himself into his desk chair and picked up the phone. He was dressed in an expensive suit. Roy guessed that was the type of man he was, always flaunting his money and wealth as a means to intimidate and to brag to those around him.
"Hello gorgeous," he answered as the call connected. A sleazy grin spread over his face.
"Richard," a rich, sultry female voice replied. "It is a pleasure to hear your voice."
His father chuckled while Roy felt sick to his stomach. What the fuck?
"Will we meet at our usual spot?"
"Oh yes," she drawled. The two detectives glanced at each other. The target would be on the move soon. "Bring your top game, sir."
This went on for a couple more minutes, their words becoming more and more suggestive. Both detective's faces mirrored one another. Disgust was the common denominator.
"That's it," Roy announced, ripping the headphones off his head. Bile rose in the back of his throat. "I'm out."
"Dude," Havoc replied after a minute of further listening. "Your dad is a dirty old man. You don't want to know what I am hearing right now."
"He is not my father. And I think I am gonna puke." Standing abruptly, he walked out of the room and away from the thought of the man across the street using his office to make questionable phone calls to women like that. Women who weren't his wife.
Roy's fists clenched by his side in anger. He knew the Mayor wasn't the most committed man in the world. His existence proved it. But his wife? The poor woman probably had no idea how much of a sleazy bastard the man was.
Well, today hadn't been a total loss. Despite the rising bile at the thought of what Havoc was currently groaning in disgust about, at least all their hard work would be able to help someone.
Starting with the Mayor's wife.
"His name is Matt," Riza stated, offering her son a photo of his father. It had been taken during the summer after their last day of high school. Both teenagers were smiling at the camera. Both were happy. The sun had caught Matt's hair in the way she had always admired, turning the brown locks copper. The freckles on his face splayed out over his nose and cheeks, the same way they did for James during the summer months. James had Matt's eyes, both having blue irises. The shape was the same too. When he was a toddler Riza had seen so much of the boy's father in those eyes.
It was crazy to think this was eight years ago. A lot had hanged since then. Mostly for the better.
"We were together in high school and for a few months afterwards," she continued after a deep breath. A dull ache in her chest that she thought would be long resurfaced. "When I found out I was pregnant with you I was so happy and I told your Dad." Riza fell silent as she replayed those memories over in her head. Pain that she thought was long gone lanced through her chest anew.
"Was he happy to meet me?" James asked quietly.
Riza didn't want to tell him the truth. "He left me after I told him. Disappeared. He was scared." James face crumpled. "He was only young. We both were." Riza watched as James' mouth wobbled. He nodded and stared down at the picture. "Sometimes the people we love do bad things, sometimes they make mistakes, because we are only human. And, just because we love them, doesn't mean we should always forgive them. But it was a long time ago."
"Have you forgiven him for going away?"
Riza considered her son's question. "I think I have. Like I said, it was a long time ago. I still don't like what he did to me or you. But, he did help give me one of the best gifts in the world." She wrapped an arm around his shoulders tightly, pulling him against her side.
"Was it a necklace?" James asked, a frown creasing his brow. "Jamie says his Dad gives his Mum lots of necklaces."
Riza chuckled. "No, silly. It was much better than a necklace. He helped give me you."
"Did I come wrapped up in a box?"
Riza tried to keep a tight rein on her laughter. Pursing her lips, she nodded. That was a conversation for another day. "Yes. A big bright green box with a blue ribbon on top."
James' eyes lit up at the mention of his favourite colour. "Really? That's my favourite colour! How did he know?"
"Parents just know these things," Riza shrugged and grinned.
Taking a shaky breath, James sighed, gaze returning to the photo in his hands. He stared at it intently as he held it gingerly, like it was one of the most precious things in the world. "He might not have been happy but I am."
"Yeah?" Surprise tinted her voice.
James nodded. "I finally know what he looks like and his name."
Rebecca pushed the door open to their favourite café in Central, holding it open for Riza behind her. Smiling and thanking her friend, the blonde scanned the room to find an empty table. Pinpointing one in the back corner, they both made a beeline for it.
Riza replayed the conversation from a few weeks ago in her head. Rebecca had asked about how James took the news, which got her reminiscing. Rebecca was the only one who knew about Matt. Havoc wasn't aware of the full story. Rebecca was known to share things with her partner, but the brunette knew that Riza's situation was something she couldn't share with anyone right from day one. Riza had begged her not to anyway. The wounds were too fresh. Plus, Havoc had threatened to kill anyone who had hurt her this way when the blonde woman had shown up at his door pregnant and sobbing uncontrollably. Riza still loved Matt at that point so she told the blonde that wasn't the case. Havoc still thought it was due to something that went down with her father, which wasn't wrong. Her father kicked her out his house the same day Riza discovered Matt had left. The two combined were too much for the hormonal Riza.
All things considered, James had taken the news surprisingly well. It had been difficult for Riza to dig up her painful past, but she was glad she did so. James was happy to know who his father was. It had also been a form of therapy for her to talk it all out with her son. It had been nice to share that moment with him, even if it had still hurt Riza at the time.
She finally felt like she would be able to let go. It would take time, but the possibility was finally there.
"Same as usual?" Rebecca asked, draping her jacket and scarf over the back of her chair.
Riza nodded. "Yes please," she replied, removing her own outerwear.
It was a cold Tuesday. The November air seemed to go right through her normally windproof jacket, chilling both women to the bone. So, instead of their usual afternoon walk during Riza's lunch break, they opted for a detour to Miller's, one of the best places in Central to get coffee.
It had been just over two weeks since The Incident with Roy and Riza hadn't seen him since. She wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. The blonde was definitely leaning towards bad because after that kiss she wanted nothing more than to spend time with him. She even missed their morning elevator rides. James kept asking about their raven-haired neighbour too and Riza was finding it more and more difficult to come up with excuses.
The day after The Incident Roy had been working. She wasn't sure if that had been a convenient excuse, but Jean had assured her they were in fact working. This past weekend James had a project due at school which they diligently worked on, which kept him busy. Riza had felt like she was clutching at straws for an excuse this upcoming weekend, until Rebecca had invited her round. It had almost become a weekly tradition that on a Sunday James would go around to Roy's for an hour or two while she made dinner for the three of them. She hated having to explain to her son that they wouldn't be able to do it again. He loved his unofficial Aunt and Uncle, but the disappointment on his face almost made Riza crumble right there.
Rebecca, of course, picked up immediately that something wasn't right. The brunette had tried to draw it out of her during last Tuesday's lunch, but conveniently Riza was able to steer the conversation away from the topic. Jean had an inkling too, stating that Roy appeared to be distracted at work this week and told Becca to ask if Riza knew anything about it.
Why would she? That was the reply she gave and was perhaps slightly too sharp with her tone. That clued in her oldest friend and Riza knew that one way or another, the truth was going to come out.
A coffee cup was placed in front of Riza, who smiled and thanked her friend. It was her turn this week to get the coffee. Normally they passed by this place and got a drink to go, but today they decided to treat themselves. Rebecca never worked a Tuesday now either, so it was nice being able to at least have an hour a week to catch up. Of course now, that meant spilling the beans. Riza's stomach clenched in response.
Plopping down in her chair, the brunette rested an elbow in the table, pointing her index finger at Riza. "Spill," was her simple command.
"Spill what?" Riza asked causally which earned her a hard look from Rebecca.
"You know fine well what. Spill."
Taking a deep breath, Riza was about to launch herself headfirst into the joke that was her life, when a familiar laugh caught her attention. Eyes rising involuntarily, she sought out the person who she both wanted and dreaded to see.
On the opposite end of the room, at a table by the window, she spotted Roy Mustang. He was laughing with the woman to his right, his arm around the back of her chair. He looked so happy and carefree… Riza's heart sank.
But before Riza could hide it, Rebecca whipped around in her chair, searching the room. "Oh, I am going to kick his ass," she muttered, beginning to rise from her chair.
"Becca," Riza hissed, grabbing her friend's hand and yanking her back down into her chair. "No."
"Look, whatever is happening with you two I can see you are in deep. I'm not stupid. I could tell there was something going on between you two whenever you were together. But for him to do this? That is a kick in the teeth." She made to rise again.
"It is not what you think?"
"What?" Rebecca asked incredulously. "Riza, you like him don't you?" The blonde remained silent. "Really like him –"
"Okay, yes!" she exclaimed in irritation. Rebecca would push and push this until she got her answer. Either that, or she really would go over there and give Roy a verbal ass kicking. Riza really didn't want to draw attention to herself. "Fine. I do."
"And you are okay with… This?" Rebecca gestured behind her, her tone filled with disgust.
"No, I am not. But it is not what you think." She swallowed, pushing down the fact she had spotted Roy with two other women while she had been out around the city the past two weeks. Each time seeing how happy he had been sent a dagger through her chest. That could have been her with him. It should have been.
So much for "that's why I don't get close to anyone now", a small and bitter part of her thought.
"Oh really?" Goddamn this woman and her sarcasm. "Well then, enlighten me."
"You know about his father, right?"
Rebecca hesitated. There appeared to be an internal debate within her head. She finally nodded. "Jean told me. I'm not supposed to know but I can be very persuasive."
Riza smirked. "I don't know if I would call it persuasive."
Rebecca scoffed. "I would definitely call it persuasive. What kind of gal do you take me for?" Riza raised an eyebrow, a grin forming on her lips. She asked silently, do you really want me to answer that? "Don't answer that."
"I thought so," Riza grinned.
"Anyway," the brunette emphasised. "You are stalling again. Don't think I haven't noticed Miss Hawkeye."
"Don't surname me."
Rebecca motioned with her hand, telling Riza to hurry up with her explanation. "And…?"
"Well… When we went to that benefit in October, Roy and his father got into an argument which I accidentally stumbled across."
"Shit."
"Yes. And it wasn't good. I don't want to get into it too much but it sounded like Roy was saying that he wished he hadn't been born. That's when I realised."
"Realised what?"
Riza gave her a meaningful look, just as the sound of Roy's laughter reached her again, making her heart constrict painfully. "I realised."
"Oh! Ohhh…" Realisation dawned on Rebecca. It was at that point when Riza realised how much she didn't like to hear him speak about himself in that way. It had bothered her a great deal. "So you do really like him."
Riza nodded. "Maybe more than that." A thrill shot through her, prickling her skin at the revelation. She had only recently admitted to herself her true feelings for the man sitting only a couple of metres away. It felt like too much to admit it to someone else.
"Shit."
"Story of my life," Riza joked. However Rebecca frowned, but didn't comment, on the self-depreciation.
"So… Why have things not gone further?"
Checking her surroundings briefly, Riza whispered her answer once satisfied. The room was that busy and they were apart from the other customers so no one would be able to overhear their conversation. "Roy told me the Mayor implied a threat against me."
"No fucking way," Rebecca replied in disbelief, leaning back in her chair. The coffees between them were forgotten now.
"Yes fucking way," Riza replied. "Something similar happened with his Aunt and she ended up in a very suspicious car crash. So we agreed not to pursue it. For James' sake."
"That's… Damn, I never even thought about him. That's good then. You're not being stupid."
"Did you expect anything less?"
"Of course not. But you are not happy about it and he isn't happy about it either."
"Of course I'm not happy. I just want something in my life to be fucking simple for a change and I want my son to be safe. But, how do you know Roy isn't?" A glimmer of hope filled her, but Riza squashed it down. It wouldn't happen. There was no point in hanging onto her hopes.
"Jean told me. At work Mustang has been distracted. Jean keeps trying to get an answer out of him, but nothing yet. And you are an awesome Mum, Riza. You have sacrificed and done everything for that kid. He is happy, safe, and well cared for when he is with you. Don't forget that."
Riza nodded and smiled her thanks for the reassurance.
"But," Rebecca stressed. "If the opportunity rises, don't sacrifice your happiness. You have been through too much already not to get something out of it." She fixed her friend with a hard stare. Then sighed. "This explains a lot. I'll invite Roy over for a boy's night. Then force Jean to get him to spill the beans."
"Force?" Riza asked, a smile tugging up on of the corners of her mouth. Remembering her beverage, she lifted the cup to her lips.
"Fine. Persuade," Rebecca winked and Riza laughed.
The pair continued to talk about Riza's current predicament, but there wasn't much more for the blonde to say. They were stuck in a stalemate right now and there was nothing that could be done. And she wouldn't expect Roy to wait around for her, as much as it pained her to say at that moment in time. That would be ridiculous and grossly unfair. He should be free to date whomever he wished.
Once the beverages were finished, Riza noted with slight disappointment that it was time for her to return to work. It was nearing one o'clock and she only had two more hours to work. She worked eight thirty to three in order to accommodate dropping off and picking up James from school. Her boss was good in that way. They had allowed Riza to be very flexible when it came to her working hours and it had been a godsend.
As Riza approached the door, she knew she would come into Roy's view. So, she shoved everything down inside her. This would be good practice.
Just as expected, Roy looked over at her as she approached, the movement catching his eye. His smile dropped from his face. Surprise flittered across his face, before a brief sadness over took him. He smiled at her and it felt like they were both the only two in the room. The sounds drowned out around Riza as she basked in the warmth of the gesture. But the sound of the coffee machines hissing loudly brought her crashing back to reality.
"Hey Roy," she greeted cheerily in an attempt to drown out the thoughts bashing around painfully inside her skull. "Hello," she greeted his companion. "Lunch break?" she asked casually.
He nodded. "Yeah. Just catching up with an old friend. Catalina," he nodded to the brunette in greeting.
"What's up?" she asked. Riza noticed the lack of a glare on her face, which was a good thing. When they had first discovered Roy was here, Riza was afraid the brunette would not be able to hold her tongue should they strike up a quick conversation.
"Not much, yourself?"
Rebecca shrugged. "Can't complain. Just enjoying a day off."
Roy nodded. "Guys, this is Claire," he added, as if remembering introductions. The two woman smiled and greeted her. "Claire, this is Riza, my neighbour, and Rebecca."
"Nice to meet you," Rebecca replied. "We'd love to stay but she's got to get back to work," Rebecca added, jerking her head towards the blonde.
"And who is she?" Riza asked indignantly, turning to face her friend with a grin. "The cat's mother?"
"Fine," Rebecca sighed dramatically. "Queen Riza Hawkeye, first of her name, mother of James Hawkeye, Queen of Kicking Butt in Poker and Queen of Making a Killer Bolognese, has to return to her place of work. I am charged with the task of escorting her back to the premises." She even curtsied.
Riza elbowed her friend. "Smart ass."
"You asked for it."
"You have also been watching Game of Thrones too much."
"You can never watch too much Game of Thrones."
"It's a fair point," Roy chipped in, his own grin gracing his handsome face in the way Riza loved.
"Anyway," Riza chuckled. "I need to get back. It was nice to see you. Nice to meet you Claire."
As the two walked out the door, Riza chuckled once more. "I hate you," she told Rebecca.
The woman laughed and grabbed her friend's arm. "You love me really."
"And damn right I am the Queen of Poker."
"I am convinced you cheat. Nobody is that good."
"Have you considered you are maybe just terrible at it?"
The brunette huffed in response.
Riza meant it when she told Claire it was nice to meet her. The woman was beautiful. Her long red hair was braided over her right shoulder while shorter hairs framed her face. Freckles dotted her cheeks and across her nose, part of the package that came with her hair and fair skin. And she seemed genuinely nice. Claire had even laughed at Rebecca's dumb joke, her eyes crinkling as she grinned. If Roy was going to be with someone else, Riza hoped it would be someone who would treat him right. He deserved that much at least after what his father put him through.
They couldn't be together because Roy didn't want to endanger her and her son. Riza admired that and respected him for it. But it didn't mean he couldn't be with someone. It hurt to think about, but that would change with time.
Riza, however, felt like she had had enough of love for one lifetime. The universe clearly didn't want her to be loved. Her first one left her up shit creek without a paddle. The second one had a crazy father who had threatened to hurt and possibly kill her and/or her son.
Boy, she sure knew how to pick them.
At least she still had James. She had someone who needed and depended on her. She only wished Roy would find someone like that too.
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