Riley squared up in the training room, her fists raised, a grin tugging at her lips as she circled Brett. He was quick on his feet, but she was quicker. They'd been sparring for about ten minutes, jabs and crosses flying back and forth, the air thick with the sound of their footwork and playful smack talk.
"You're slowing down, Miller," she teased, darting to the left to avoid a half-hearted swing.
Brett chuckled, shaking his head as he dodged her counter. "Nah, Torres, I'm just taking it easy on you. Didn't want to bruise your ego too much before shift."
She snorted, landing a light punch to his shoulder. "You wish. I'm just warming up."
"That all you got?" Brett quipped, blocking her next hit. "Come on, Torres, I thought you'd be tougher than this."
"Oh, I'll show you tough," Riley said, bouncing on the balls of her feet as she moved in again, her eyes gleaming with determination. They exchanged blows, neither going full force but both enjoying the challenge.
The banter between them made the room feel lighter. Sparring with Brett was easy, fun. No pressure, just two officers letting off steam before the grind of another shift.
"Alright, let's see you try this," Brett said with a grin, taking a more aggressive stance. He swung at her, but before Riley could react, a voice cut through the room.
"Torres, keep your guard up. You're leaving your left side wide open."
Riley froze mid-movement, her head whipping toward the entrance of the training room, causing Brett's punch to land square on her jaw. Riley staggered back a few steps.
"Shit!" Brett exclaimed, taking off his gloves and moving forward to inspect Riley's face. "I didn't mean to do that. Are you okay?"
Riley nodded and turned to the door where Luke stood, arms crossed, his eyes narrowed in that all-too-familiar look of disapproval.
Her mood immediately darkened. "What are you doing here, Maddox?"
Luke stepped inside, his gaze flicking from Brett to Riley. "Just making sure you're not getting lazy before shift. You're dropping your shoulder when you dodge—gonna get you knocked out one day."
Riley rolled her eyes, stepping back from Brett and wiping the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. "I'm fine. I don't need a lecture."
"You're fine now, but out in the field, that habit could cost you." Luke's tone was stern, his eyes locking on hers in that intense way that always got under her skin.
Brett, sensing the tension, stepped back, glancing between them. "Uh, I'll just grab some water," he said, backing toward the door.
"No, you stay," Riley snapped, glaring at Luke. "Maddox, seriously, just leave me alone. I can handle myself."
"I'm just trying to help," Luke said, his voice lower now but still laced with authority. "You're too stubborn for your own good sometimes."
"And you're too overbearing for your own good," she shot back, her frustration bubbling over. "I don't need you hovering over me every second, critiquing everything I do."
Luke's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond right away. Instead, he just stared at her, the silence stretching between them. Riley could feel her pulse quickening, not just from the sparring but from the weight of his gaze. She hated how he could get under her skin like this, how he made her feel like she had something to prove.
Finally, Luke sighed, shaking his head. "Just... be careful, alright?" His voice was softer now, almost resigned, as he turned to leave the room.
Riley clenched her fists, watching him go, the frustration still simmering in her chest.
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Romantizm"I made a promise to always be there for you," he said, his voice tight with emotion. "And you're making it impossible for me to keep it." She froze at the door, her back to him, her heart pounding in her chest. The words hung in the air like a weig...
