Love Tap(24)

“I can’t really feel anything right now. The doctor gave me some medicine.”

“It looks really cool.” He looks over my new blue cast.

“Thanks.” My cheeks are warming. My eyes fall to his lips, and my body tingles. I wonder if I was his first kiss? Will he want to do more than kiss? I know Felicia has gone to second base with a kid from another school. Oh god, I’m not sure I’m ready for more.

He gazes at the counter that holds cotton balls and gloves before turning. His mouth turning into a lazy grin. “Can I be your first?”

My eyes pop out of my head. My mind going every which way with that question.

“What?”

Dimples form in his cheeks as he points to the cast.

“Your cast…” He holds up a permanent marker. “I found it on the counter, can I sign your cast?”

“Oh, yeah.” Wow, I need to pull my head from the clouds and slow down.

Pulling the cap off with his teeth he draws on it.

“I’m going to say I have no choice but to be your boxing buddy now.” His eyes focused on what he’s drawing, he doesn’t look up.

“Why?”

“Because I broke your arm.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I want to.” His blue eyes flick to mine, and butterflies hit my stomach so hard I feel them in my throat. I guess this means the kiss didn’t harm our friendship any. Placing the lid back on the pen, he tosses it on the counter.

Camden’s mother walks in, tucking her phone in her purse.

“Okay Camden, let’s get going and give Tatum some rest.”

“See you later boxing buddy.” Camden winks.

Looking down at my cast I see what he drew. It wasn’t his name, but two boxing gloves that if you turned your head just right… it kind of looks like hearts.





Chapter Seven


Tate



Chewing on my nails I walk up the street where my dad is watering the bushes out front. He’s got a tight grip on the green hose, his eyes squinted as the mist of water sprays about.

Stepping up behind him, I spit out a piece of nail and take a deep breath. This is going to go horrible, I know it.

Closing my eyes I feel my heart continuing to break. Dad and I used to be so close before the world fell apart at our feet. I’d do anything to get us back, but to do that… it’s going to take a couple hits to the chest.

“Dad,” I mumble. He keeps spraying, my voice not loud enough. “Dad!”

He whips around, nearly spraying me in the face.

“Oh shit, sorry.” He lowers the hose, twisting the nozzle to turn it off. I attempt a smile, but it’s not genuine. He drops the hose, and rubs the back of his neck.

“I hope you’re here to tell me good news.”

I roll my eyes and cross my arms in front of my chest. “And what would that be? Hmm?”

He scoffs. “That you’re going back to school. That you’re not going to throw away your life.”

“Would you just stop!” I argue. “I’m so sick of it. You’re always on my ass, but you never hassled Journey about school. Why?”

He shifts on his feet, his brows rising at my back talking. “Because Journey was never in trouble as a child, Tate. You were. You defied your mother and I. The school was always calling us telling us of your brawls and arguments. But you are so smart, so goddamn smart if you’d just apply yourself.”

I point at him, my body temperature rising with the morning sun. “I was a typical kid. I took after my father, my role model. Why was that so bad?” I shrug.

He shakes his head, stepping toward the porch. My eyes sting with the urge to cry, so I look away, not wanting to look weak. Only my dad and Camden can affect me the way they do.

“I wanted a different life for you Tate, because look at me now.” He says it so softly I barely hear him before he slams the screen door.

Turning away from the house I use the back of my hand to cover my mouth as an unexpected sob breaks through my trembling lips.

I wish he could see how great he was and is.

He is my dad, and I want us back.



Staring at the gym I second guess going in. I second guess a lot of things. Why am I here, and not just Chicago but this damn gym that I know Camden will be at? He hates me and that kills me. I wish I could go back and change so many things. The way Camden looks at me destroys me from the inside out. Maybe it was a mistake to leave college to chase a dream. I must be insane to think I can do this.

Closing my eyes, I lower my head and sigh. This is what I wanted to be since I was a little girl. I can’t let anyone stand in the way of that. Not anymore. I didn’t come this far, just to come this far.

“You can do this,” I whisper to myself. I’ve never been known to back down, and I’m not about to start now.

Blowing out a breath of second guesses, I grab my gym bag and climb out of the car.

The wind is blowing hard this morning, causing a chill to run up my spine.

Once inside my eyes adjust to the dim light, and my skin instantly warms.

“You’re early, Thomas will like the dedication.” My head whips in the direction of the voice, finding Cate flipping on a set of lights that hover over the ring.

“Is Thomas here?”