38. Riggs

THIRTY-EIGHT

RIGGS

"I fucking love baseball," Monroe says quietly as I bend down to pull a pan out of the cupboard.

I freeze with my hand in mid-air, turning my head to see her taking a very generous eyeful of my ass. "Really?" I ask, raising a brow in question.

She pops a shoulder. "I mean, I love baseball butts . That's basically the same thing."

I stand and turn abruptly so my back is against the counter, away from her prying gaze. "First of all, stop objectifying me, you pervert. Secondly, the only baseball butt you better be looking at is mine."

She pushes her lip out in a patronizing pout. "Aww, does it bother you that I look at the entire buffet of cake at every Fury game?" I growl in response, spurring her on. "I have a question. Will yours get as round as Ace's, or is that"—she waves her hand in a circle, gesturing at my midsection—"your final form? I just need to know if I picked the wron?—"

I drop the pan and dart around the island as she screams and runs the other way. She's laughing hysterically as I chase her into the living room, reaching out when I'm close enough and throwing her over my shoulder like she weighs nothing. She beats her small fists against my back trying to get me to release her, but I tighten my hold until I reach the sofa. I toss her down, and her laughs get louder as I dig my fingers into her sides.

"Riggs! No!" she screams as I tickle her, thrashing around to avoid my attack.

"You little brat," I say, finally relenting before leaning down and dropping a firm kiss to her lips. "You're lucky I'm hungry or I'd turn that ass red."

"Oooh," she replies. "We'll circle back to that later."

I chuckle, standing and turning away from her with my arms stretched out at my sides. She takes the invitation, jumping onto my back and wrapping her legs around me as I bring us to the kitchen.

I haven't been able to wipe the smile off my face since Monroe told me she was staying in Daytona. It was a subject I had planned on bringing up eventually, but the fact that she made the decision on her own makes it that much better. It may seem like we're moving fast, but with her new business taking off, she's able to work from anywhere. My job already has me away for several days at a time throughout the season, so putting over a thousand miles between us during such an important stage of our new relationship sounds terrible. I want to have her here when I'm home, then I'll follow her wherever she wants to go during the offseason. It'll take some sacrificing from us both, but it'll be worth it.

I drop her onto the counter and return to the cupboard to retrieve the frying pan. Opening the refrigerator, I take out a dozen eggs, bringing them to the stove and cracking them one by one. We talk and laugh as I cook, and I can't help but be grateful for the growth we've experienced, both separately and as a couple in the months that she's been here. Although it started as a fake relationship, I knew deep down that I'd fall for her. If I'm honest, it started for me the night we met. Monroe is the exception to every rule I ever made for myself, and I'll never take her love for granted.

"I was thinking," I say, pushing four pieces of bread down into the toaster. "We have a five-day break coming up in a few weeks. How would you feel about going to Hope Harbor for a visit? I want my parents to meet my new girlfriend."

She raises a brow, tucking a piece of chocolate-brown hair behind her ear. "I've met your parents a million times, Riggs. No introduction necessary."

I scoff playfully. "Yeah, as my sister's best friend. I want to re-introduce you as the woman I love, their soon-to-be daughter-in-law, and the mother of their future grandchildren."

Her eyes go wide, but a smile pulls at her lips. "Who are you? Certainly not the same Riggs Valentine that had a different girl on his arm every weekend because he was allergic to feelings."

The toast pops up, but I ignore it, walking over and pushing her knees apart with the backs of my hands so I can step between them. "Uh-uh," I say, shaking my head. "Fuck that guy. He didn't know what he was missing." I cup her cheeks and press my mouth to hers in a gentle kiss, inhaling her scent as I do. "I meant it when I said I wanted a future with you, Mayhem. We may not be able to get the time back that we missed out on with each other, but from here on out, I'm all in. We can go at whatever pace you want to, but just know that my endgame will always be the same."

"I want that too," she says quietly, leaning her head into my chest as I wrap my arms around her. The feeling of holding her will never get old, and I'm a lucky motherfucker to be able to do it whenever I want.

Kissing the top of her head, I return to the stove, turning it off and preparing our plates. "Here you go, baby," I say, setting her breakfast next to her before taking my own and leaning against the counter as we start to eat.

"What's your plan for the day?" she asks. "I know you have to be at the stadium later, so I was thinking I'd work on the marketing plan for that new salon chain while you're gone. Unless you need me for something."

I wiggle my brows. "Oh, I need you for all kinds of things."

"That's not what I meant," she deadpans. "Why are you so horny all the time?"

I shrug, shoving a fork full of eggs into my mouth and chewing. "It's just who I am, Mayhem. Don't act like you don't love it."

She smirks. "Maybe a tiny bit."

I chuckle as I finish my food and place the empty plate into the dishwasher. Just as I go to head toward the stairs, the sound of the doorbell fills the air.

"I'll get it," Monroe says, hopping off the counter. "You take longer to get ready than any girl I've ever met. Go shower or you'll be late."

I roll my eyes, but don't say anything because she's kind of right. I really do need to get going, but the last time I let her open the door when we weren't expecting company, it turned out to be a disaster. So instead, I follow as she walks into the entryway and pulls it open, a loud gasp escaping her as she does. I'm immediately on high alert, closing the distance between us so I can protect her from whoever has her reacting this way. Part of me is expecting to see her dad. Instead, a thin woman who looks just like Monroe, only older and with blonde hair, stares back at us. It's very clear that she's her mother, but this is anything but a happy reunion. I swear I'm going to rip the entire security team in this building to shreds after this. This is the second time someone has gotten past them and ended up on our doorstep uninvited. I've never considered buying a house of my own that's far away from other humans the way Tanner's is—more than I am right now.

"Did he send you?" she spits. I step behind her so my front is pressed against her back in a silent show of protection and support. I want her to know that I'm here to take over if she needs me to, but I have a feeling there are a lot of unsaid words that she'd like to get off her chest.

"No, sweetheart," her mother pleads, putting her hands up as if she's surrendering. "I promise he didn't send me. I left."

Monroe stiffens in front of me. "What do you mean, you left ?"

"Can I come in?" she asks, glancing down the hallway to make sure we're alone. I don't like this one bit, but it's completely up to Monroe. I'll let them talk, though I definitely won't be leaving them alone while they do it. I'm not about to let this woman hurt her any more than she already has.

She turns her head, looking over her shoulder at me. I swallow the lump in my throat, nodding my head and backing away just enough to make room for her mother to pass by.

"Riggs, this is my mother, Jenna Decker. Mom, this is my boyfriend, Riggs Valentine," she says, introducing us.

"Hello," I say, extending my hand between us. I don't say it's nice to meet her, because I don't know if it is yet. I need to hear what she has to say before I decide whether I'll give her a chance or not. She wraps her fingers around mine, and we shake hands before she enters the apartment. I make sure the door is closed and locked, because who knows if she's really here alone? Maybe I'm an asshole, but I definitely don't trust either of Monroe's parents. At least not yet.

We make our way into the kitchen, and I gesture for the two women to sit down at the island. Jenna does, but Monroe continues standing as though she may need to make a quick escape. But she's crazy if she thinks she's going anywhere. If anything, I have no problem showing her mother the door at the first sign of my girl's discomfort.

"Talk," she says, shifting nervously from one foot to the other. My instinct is to go over and wrap my arms around her, but I want her to do this by herself. She deserves to have complete control of the situation, and to take it wherever she wants it to go.

Her mother lets out a deflated sigh, and I watch as her eyes fill with tears. "I let him treat you poorly for so long," she whispers. "I've been a horrible mother, and I don't blame you for running away from everything we put you through. I stood by and watched as he planned the same exact life for you that my father planned for me, and I did nothing to stop him. I'm so sorry." She drops her head into her hands as sobs rack her body. I can tell that Monroe is restraining herself. She wants to comfort her mother, but there are too many details that she isn't clear on to feel like she can. Instead, she moves in closer, taking the barstool next to Jenna and sitting down. I feel like this is a conversation that isn't meant for me, but I can't bring myself to leave her here. I'll never forgive myself if she needs me and my hand isn't available for her to hold. So I stay quiet, allowing them to interact without me interjecting.

"Mom, what happened?" Monroe asks. "Tell me why you're here."