CHAPTER 20

Royce walked through her new apartment in Tampa. After packing everything up from Neels' place, she decided she'd move back to Florida, close to home but not too close. She sighed seeing the amount of boxes she had yet to unpack and put away. Today was defiantly going to be a long day. Since her and Paiges title loss with the Bellas, Royce suffered some shoulder separation and would be taking some time off.

Ever since the phone call with Joe, she still hadn't seen him. It's like he called her just to tease her. But at this point, Royce was over the games. She was over men.

The doorbell rang interrupting her thoughts. Walking over to the door, she opened it. A face she hadn't seen in a long time.

"Nick?"

"Sup Roy." Nick smiled and walked in.

Royce closed the door, still confused. "How.. What? What are you doing here? And how did you know I live here?"

"Paige can easily be persuaded when she wants to." Nick replied. "She gave me the address and here I am."

She crossed her arms. "Okay... Why?"

He sighed and played with a pillow. "I know how badly you want marriage and children. I know I couldn't give that to you, but.. Then I seen you with Joe. Then Neels-

"We are not getting back together." Royce interrupted him.

Nick laughed and looked her way. "I just wanted to make sure you were alright. We spent four long damn years together. I didn't come here to just bs with you."

"Nick what the hell are you on?" Royce grew impatient. She had zero idea where he was going with this.

He stood up and groaned. "Listen for once woman!" He quickly flinched. "Don't hit me!"

She rolled her eyes at his actions. "Nick, why are you here?"

"You know I always want the best for you. And I haven't seen you smile the way you used to with Joe. I did whatever I could to make you happy but we both want different futures." Nick concluded. "So instead of sitting here looking at boxes that'll take you a whole month to unpack because you procrastinate, get your ass up and go get him."

Taking in a deep breath, Royce tensed up. "I can't." She whispered.

"Why not?" He wondered.

"Cause I'm afraid what'll happen if I do." Royce looked at the floor.

"Royce Presley Mahfud won't take a risk for once in her life?" Nick fake gasped. "Damn you have it bad."

She furrowed her eyebrows. "Have what bad?"

"I was the same way when I first met you." Nick leaned against the countertop and smiled. "I fell hard. Just like you are right now."

"We were better off as friends." Royce shrugged.

"Are you trying to convince me or yourself that?" He wondered.

Silence fell between the two.

"Roy, I just want you to be happy." Nick nudged her. "Guys don't always have to make the first move. If you want him, go get him!"

Go get him!

———

Royce stood in front of Joe's house, panicking. What is she gonna say? What is she gonna do? Where do you even start?

She rang the doorbell, immediately regretting it. She prepared herself to make a run for it. God why did she have to park on the street?

A few moments later the door opened.

"Joe the pizzas here!" Galina yelled. "Oh... It's you."

"How much is it?" Joe walked up. "Royce?"

"I'm sorry... I should've called first." Royce said, she felt stupid. "I better get going, sorry."

"No wait!" Joe followed her. "Why don't you um... Why don't you join us?"

"J-join you?" She stuttered.

"The kids are here and we ordered pizza, stay please." He begged.

"No I really have to go, and unpack." Royce lied.

"Is the pizza here yet?" Jojo walked outside. "Royce?!"

The little girl ran over and jumped on her. Royce slightly winced as Jojo wrecked into her shoulder.

"Are you okay?" Jojo looked at her. "Do you have a boo-boo?"

"Yeah I do." Royce moved her shirt down so Jojo could see her shoulder wrapped up. "Look I'm all bandaged up."

"Oh no." Jojo gasped. "Will pizza make it better?"

"Yes it will." Joe answered and Royce sent him a glare. "Look theres the car, Jojo why don't you take Royce inside and get the plates ready?"

Jojo wasted no time dragging Royce inside the home. "Cmon Roy!"

She couldn't say no, it'd break her heart. And surprisingly a six year old could be very persistent. While she walked through the front door, Galina looked her up and down. She just rolled her eyes not wanting to cause a scene.

Jojo practically forced her to sit down at the table.

"Ima get the plates." Jojo smiled and walked in the kitchen.

Royce pulled out her phone.

Royce: Remember when you said go for it?

Nick: Oooh so are you guys together?!

Royce: No I'm forced to eat lunch with him, his kids, and EX WIFE! I'm going to kill you

Nick: 🤣🤣 lmaoo! good luck!

Dean Ambrose: i heard you're at joe's house. use protection.

Royce: I hope Renee covers your face at night with a pillow.

Dean Ambrose: Yeah and we'll be using protection, as should you❤️

Royce: fuck you

"Here's the pizza." Joe smiled and walked in, setting the box on the table. "You alright?"

She locked her phone and put it in her pocket. "Y-yeah, fine."

After what felt like forever, they finally wrapped up lunch. It was so awkward, she could feel Galina's eyes piercing through her.

"So Royce," Galina wiped her mouth. "Where's Neels?"

Joe rolled his eyes. "Galina they broke up."

"Oh, I forgot! I'm so sorry." She fake frowned.

He looked at his watch. "It's time for you to go get the boys."

"Come on Jojo, say bye." Galina grabbed her things. "See you tomorrow night."

"Bye daddy!" She gave Joe a hug and kiss. "Bye Royce, get better." Jojo gently hugged her.

"Bye thank you." Royce smiled.

Joe walked them out, Royce got up and looked around the house. Pictures were hung up everywhere. Mostly his family and WWE. She turned the corner and stopped.

He had a picture of her... Framed too. It wasn't exactly hidden either, pretty noticeable if you really payed attention. Her eyes scanned and landed on another picture.

It was her first title win and he also won a title too. She looked so young. But so did he.

"Snooping like always."

Royce jumped and turned around to see Joe leaning against the wall, hands in his pockets. He wore a tight grey shirt and jeans. His hair in a perfect sleeked back bun, ugh why did he have to be so fit?

"Why do you have a picture of me?" Royce immediately asked.

He walked over to where she stood and looked at the picture. "You sent that to me when you were in Orlando for Ethan and Graysons birthday. I loved it."

She gulped. "Yeah but I didn't think you'd frame it."

"Not to be rude," Joe cleared his throat. "But why are you here?"

Royce played with her keys. "I called off my engagement... We both did..."

"Yeah I know." Joe crossed his arms.

She sighed and groaned. "Joe... I..."

"Any day now," he messed with her.

"I love you! I'm totally and completely in love with you, and I don't care if you think it's too late. I'm telling you anyway." Royce breathed out.

"Royce-

"No, Joe." Royce shook her head. "I fell in love with you but then I overheard you and I convinced myself that you really felt that way. And.. And I tried to just push you out of my mind. I got into another relationship and almost got married but I knew that it wasn't right. You made me feel things that Neels couldn't.. And you still do and I hate that you still have some affect on me."

"Royce..." Joe said again. "I was always in love with you."

"And so I told myself not to think about you. But I couldn't cause I do all the time." She confessed.

"So what are you saying?" He rose an eyebrow.

"I'm saying that I've been running from something that already happened. And I'm saying that I fell in love with you Joe Anoa'i," she began to cry. "And I'm saying that I hope I'm not in this alone!"

Joe bit his lip. "I'll be right back." He disappeared to upstairs.

She wiped her eyes and tried to calm herself down.

"Roy," he returned.

Royce turned around, he had a box in hand.

"Marry me."