Love Tap(5)

“Ugh, reminds me of that nail class Ma and I signed up for, remember that Ma?” Chloe slurs with food in her mouth.

“Oh yeah, it said on the Internet they had a technician that did celebrity nails, and could teach us how to do this or that. Girl, we sat in a big room, and looked at a slide show for an hour. What a waste of time and money.” Fiona shakes her head frustrated. “So what kind of gym you looking for, sugar?”

“I’m not sure. Probably something small where a coach can train me one on one. Someone who knows what they’re doing when it comes to MMA would be nice, but that might be harder to find out here.” Fiona and Chloe both still, their forks mid-air as their brows raise.

“Professional?” Fiona’s voice cracks.

Swallowing, I nod.

“Like in a ring, with people ten times bigger than you?” Chloe’s voice rises. “Isn’t that dangerous?”

“They have weight divisions, I won’t be up against someone ten times bigger than me.” I can’t help but laugh lightly.

Fiona’s intense stare breaks when her mouth curves into a small smile.

“MMA, that’s different from your daddy’s boxing, ain’t it?”

“Yeah, it is. It’s like wrestling and boxing, and kick boxing all in one. Hence the Mixed Martial Arts.”

Chloe’s head whips in my direction, her face conveying I’m insane.

Maybe I am crazy. Is it hot in here? I feel unbearably hot.

Setting my fork down, I take a sip of cold milk. My throat feeling suddenly dry.

“Your dad will flip his lid!” Chloe spits. Fiona kicks her under the table, missing and hitting the leg, causing the salt and pepper to clank together. “What? I’m just saying…” She side glances her mother.

“It’ll take a lot of work, but I’m sure if anyone can do it, it’s you Tate.” Fiona gives a reassuring nod.

“You’re nuts,” Chloe objects, her eyes wide as she looks down at her plate. That’s why I love her though, no filter. “I have to say, I thought you moved to LA and grew out of all that fighting stuff. Tell me you at least let some surfer screw you on his surf board?” Chloe asks seriously.

I laugh at Chloe’s utter ridiculousness. Even though I haven’t practiced fighting, I never stopped following it. Fighting is who I am.

“You know, I think I know someone that might be able to help you in the whole fighting mumbo jumbo.” Fiona gets up from the table, leans over the kitchen table, and plucks a pen and paper from her purse next to the sink.

“Really? Who?” Chloe and I ask at the same time.

Fiona turns, and hands me the paper.

It has a random address on it.

“Go there tomorrow.” She points at me. “Don’t leave until you show them what you got Tate.” My heart skips a beat. A real gym, a real chance at doing what I love. “I’m proud of you Tate. Don’t let anyone crush your dreams, especially those who are close to you. Move forward baby girl,” Fiona inspires.

Fiona blew up an air mattress on the floor and from first glance you’d think it’d be uncomfortable but as soon as I slip under the sheets my eyes grow incredibly heavy as I stare at my phone screen. I’ve been YouTubing basic MMA moves. Some I remember doing when I was kid, others are a little more complex. I really need a test subject to try these out on. I wonder if Chloe would be a willing participant?

“Hey Tate, you awake?” Chloe’s voice breaks through my haze.

“Kinda,” I croak, setting my dying phone down.

“You sure you know what you’re getting yourself into? I’ve watched those fights at the bar before, they’re… intense.”

“I’ve been practicing judo since I was a kid. Even when my father forbid me to fight anymore. I’ll never know unless I try,” I reply sleepily.

“I remember you sneaking to those classes with Camden.” I tense hearing his name for the first time since I’ve been here. God, I miss him. I’d do anything to see him again so can explain why I left.

Memories of a little blond haired boy and me faintly flash in the back of my mind.

My heart aches, and I shake my head of the tormenting images.

“I may be inexperienced, but I learned a lot as a kid and recently looked a lot of basic moves up. What not to do, and what to do in a situation, that kind of thing.” I sigh heavily, not feeling like I’m explaining myself clearly. “I can’t explain the way I feel when I’m slamming my knuckles into someone’s face. I just—I feel in control of my life when I’m the one delivering the pain for once.” I roll over, facing the wall. “I don’t have to have it all figured out, I just need to move forward.”

She scoffs, but doesn’t respond, allowing me to drift into a deep sleep.

***

Police sirens startle me awake. Peeling my eyes open, red and blue lights flash along the walls of Chloe’s room.

“What is that?” I groan pulling myself from the floor. Growing up we hardly ever saw police in this area. Has it gone downhill over the years?

Chloe groans pulling her pillow over her face. Getting up I step on her bed to look out the window.

Spreading the blinds apart, I spot the cop car stopping in front my old house and what looks like my sister and Dad outside yelling at each other. Adrenaline wakes me like a cold glass of water to the face.