“But that’s not fair to you. I want to, but I also want to have my husband’s last name, and that’s where I am torn. That’sobviously something you want, too, and if I give that to you, I lose them, and if I don’t, I would be taking that from you.”
“Hey,” Riley says, tipping her head back, her vibrant green eyes swimming with tears. “You never have to worry about me. Of course, I want you to take my name, but not if it means you feel like you lose them. They were your family long before I came along, and if you really wanted to take my name, you could hyphenate.”
“You wouldn’t be mad that I had another man’s name?”
“He’s not another man, he is your husband. . I will never try to take that from you or be upset that you keep it.” The kisses he peppers her head with threaten to send her over the edge. Already knowing she does not deserve him, she decides to lay it all out, even if that means they need to shake hands and walk away so he can find his happiness.
“Okay, I’m just going to throw everything out there. I will understand if you want to end things.” Liz takes a deep, steadying breath, “If we were to get married and build a life together, I can’t see it having kids, or being in the military.” Getting it out takes a monumental weight from her shoulders, but the silence that follows is loud.
“Will you believe me if I tell you I feel the same way? Not only am I too old for diapers, but after what happened to Sara and Nick, it made me not want kids of my own. As for leaving the military, I get it. I did a shit job of explaining exactly what you were signing up for, so if you want out, I can and will get you out. It’s not that easy for me, but I would do it with no regrets.”
“You would really leave it all behind?” she asks, returning his kisses with her own on his hand.
“In a second. I told you, I had a lot of time to think about what I want, and I don’t want to waste the life we could havewondering if each day is our last. I want to savor the time we have together, traveling the world doing everything your heart desires.”
“C’mon,” she says, sliding from his lap.
“Where are we going?”
“Our room. I’m going to show you just how much I fucking love you.”
She pulls the shirt over her head and prances into the bedroom, giggling when she hears the speed in which he gets up to chase after her, slamming the door closed behind them.
CHAPTER 18
Things have finally started to settle down since Riley has been back, so much so that Liz isn’t worried about leaving him to pick her gym sessions with Mikey back up.
Mikey woke her up, bright and early that morning, to practically drag her across the base to workout with only a promise of getting breakfast when they finish. He didn’t tell her until they were gone that Alex and Tyler were stopping by to talk with Riley in an attempt to patch things up and, if all goes well, throw together some sort of a plan.
Liz stumbles through her exercises, still drained from the workout Riley gave her the night before, silently cheering when they finish, ready to get back and make sure the guys didn’t kill each other in her absence.
No more than three steps out the door, Liz complains of being too tired to move, coaxing Mikey into letting her climb onto his back so he can carry her to the mess hall. Ignoring the stares from all the other soldiers moving around the base, they continuechatting and joking around, trying to enjoy the little friend time they get while they still have it.
Containers get filled to the brim with breakfast foods, more than enough to feed the four giant men that make up their team.
They were so close to being in the clear.
Walking back across the courtyard, heading to where their friends are waiting, a voice rings out from behind, the kind of voice that is worse than nails on a chalkboard. Liz feels the energy shift the closer he gets: going from a fun, cheery morning, gossiping with her best friend, to having all that joy sucked out of the air.
“Hey honey. Haven’t seen you in a while,” Matt greets her.
“Yeah, because I have been a little busy nursing someone back to health,” she says, rolling her eyes so hard it hurts.
“I’m shocked you are still trying so hard. Janine said you two looked like you hated each other,” Matt says keeping pace with them.
“We’re fine,” she snaps, trying to walk faster, growing more frustrated with the sound of his footsteps quickening.
“That’s good. How is our benevolent leader doing, anyway? I’m sure he’s been saying some pretty crazy things about what he saw when he was held captive,” Matt blurts, obviously baiting them both.
Mikey and Liz share a confused glance before Mikey pulls out his phone and fires off a quick text, warning the team about their incoming intruder.
“Why would he be saying any crazy shit?” Mikey asks, trying to coax more out of the man. “No reason. I just assume being taken like that must have messed with his mind. Not all there anymore, ya know?” he says with a casual shrug of his shoulders.
“No, I don’t know. We are trained for situations like his. Both for being tortured and coming back from it. Riley has more training in that than the rest of us combined. You should havelearned that before Scott ever added you to the team,” Mikey snaps.
“So since Reaper is doingso amazing, why has he not been in the gym? Or leading his team?” Matt pushes.
“Why do you keep asking questions about things you have no right to ask?” Liz finally snaps.
