Love Tap(63)

I glance back at the mirror, the dreaded shirt and skirt looking back at me. I turn around and bend over, the skirt rides up, the cut going up my thigh.

“Oh my god, I can’t wear this,” I whisper to myself. I want men to see me as an equal, as a challenge. In this, I’m screaming ‘slip two fingers in when I bend over boys’.

Quickly I tug the shirt over my head, the material getting caught on my hair. Then I pull the skirt off so fast I swear it rips. I grab my jeans and shuffle them on and literally sigh at the comfort they bring. Bending down I grab my black racer back shirt and pull it on. Turning, I look back in the mirror and already feel more at ease. My pink sports bra peeks through in spots, but it still covers me more than that skirt and shirt did.

This is who I am, and if anyone will understand that, it’s Camden. If not, then maybe I’ll just be single for the rest of my life. This is a good test to see if Camden is still the boy I loved four years ago, or if fame has struck him into another person.

He has so many girls that doll themselves up with the most expensive furs and perfume. He needs to know now that I’m not them. I’m still Tate.

Stepping out of the room, I literally hear Chloe gasp in shock when she sees I changed back into my clothes. I smile at her mortification.

My eyes sweep to the door, finding Camden wearing a gray suit with a purple tie. I do a double take. He’s. Wearing. A. Fucking. Suit.

My stomach knots as I look down at myself. My bravado fleeing. I’m such an * for not dressing up! My back breaks out in a nervous sweat as my heart skips a beat.

“Shit,” Camden mutters under his breath.

“I’m sorry. I just—” The words get caught in my mouth trying to explain why I didn’t dress up.

He rips the suit jacket off, tugs on his tie before taking it off.

“Camden you don’t have to take—” He holds his finger up, ushering me to wait a minute.

Pulling the cuff links from his sleeves he rolls them up, and swipes his hands through his hair. In black slacks, a white dress shirt, and just f*cked hair, Camden looks good enough to eat. Call me crazy, but I’d rather have my men rough around the edges than prim and proper. I’d take a man in gray sweats with that just worked out sweaty glow, over a man in a suit with soft hands any day.

“I was hoping you weren’t going to dress up, but I wasn’t sure and didn’t want to show up in casual while you dressed up. I’d feel like an *.” He shrugs, a smirk fitting his face flawlessly. “Well, more than usual anyway.”

“You look really good,” I smile approvingly. He looks ravishing cleaned up.

“You too.” He looks me up and down and a blush heats my cheeks.

We both look at Chloe who is standing next to us. Her face is pinched in confusion as she eyes us like we’re a reality TV show. See, she never did get Camden and I.

“You know what, I thought maybe you two were just ass backwards, but now… I know you two are perfect for each other.” She rolls her eyes, and sashays out of the room.

The room is filled with tension as she leaves, leaving an awkward Camden and I. It feels like a first date all over again.

Risking a glance at Camden, both hands in his pocket, his head leaned down he looks up at me.

“You ready?” He holds his hand out to me.

I smile and grab it. “Yes.”

“Good, we don’t want to miss our flight.”

My smile fades. “Flight?”

“Yeah, our date is in South Dakota.”



Camden



Tate is looking out the window, her face lit up and eyes bright. She looks like a little kid on her first airplane and I can’t take my eyes off of her. Kaley really went all out getting me these tickets.

I don’t know how she got a private jet, and I’m not sure I want to.

I know I can’t afford it. I’m broke. I made sure to spend damn near every dime I had trying to bury myself and hinder my celebrity profile as much as I could.

“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” Snapping me from my thoughts I mask a smile.

“Seeing that you got your first fight booked, I want you to see what it’s like in the ring up close,” I explain.

“You’re taking me to a cage fight!” Her face stoic, I can’t help but chuckle.

“Yes, I pulled a few strings and got us tickets.”

She grabs my hand, and squeezes it tenderly. My brows furrow as I look down at our hands interlocked. The soft gesture hitting me in the chest and bringing every single feeling I ever had for Tate to the surface.

“Thank you.” Taking my gaze from our hands I look at her green eyes.

“You’re welcome.”

I’m falling for her all over again.

Landing at the airport, a private black town car takes us to the arena.

As soon as we pull up there’s cameras everywhere. News reporters broadcasting live right outside the arena. Shit, I was hoping they’d all be inside. I squeeze Tate’s hand grabbing her attention.

“I’m not sure if we’ll bring any attention or not, but if they come running with cameras keep your head down and do not respond to anything they say.” She looks at me with pinched brows. “Do you understand?”

She nods. “Yeah, okay,” her voice small, I give a curt nod and inhale a deep breath.