Love Tap(64)

I’ve been out of the spotlight for a while now, but if they’re hungry enough… the sharks will come running at the bait. Tate being the worm.

Our driver pulls up front and quickly I get out to open Tate’s door.

Holding her hand I keep my head down and head toward the front entrance.

Not paying attention to who’s in front of me I knock into a little boy.

“Sorry about that little guy.” I ruffle his hair, and step around him.

“Hey, that’s Camden Steel!”

My chest constricts, as the boy announces my name to everyone in the vicinity.

“Should we stop?” Tate questions.

A reporter holding a mic looks our way, her eyes lighting up with recognition.

Fuck.

Quickly she races toward me, a few paparazzi right behind her.

“Camden where have you been?” A reporter shoves her mic in my face.

“Camden why did you stop fighting?”

“Camden is this your girlfriend?”

“Ma’am are you pregnant?” I cringe at that last question.

Instantly MFC sanctioned bodyguards rush out of the arena, pushing the cameras and flashing lights away.

“Come with us sir!” Holding their arms out they lead a path to the door.

Wrapping my arm around Tate I rush inside the secure doors, and away from the sudden chaos.

Once inside a short stalky man awaits with his arms crossed. His thin red hair shining amongst the lights, and bright eyes smiling as if he loves his job and is the happiest man alive.

“Sorry Mr. Steel. Had we known you were arriving we would have had a more secure entrance.”

I raise a brow not sure who the hell this guy is.

Noticing my skepticism, he holds his hand out to shake. “I’m Conrad and I’m in charge of security. We help celebrities and high profiles get inside the building without hassle of the paparazzi.”

“Are you okay?” I take my attention off Conrad, and direct it toward Tate. She seems a little frazzled, as she nods.

Letting go of her hand I grip her chin, making her look at me.

“Are you sure?” Maybe we should leave, maybe this was a bad idea.

She smirks, pulling from my hold.

“Yes, I’m fine. That was just… interesting,” she smirks, looking away.

“Sorry, I was really hoping they’d forgot about me,” I admit.

Her brows pull together in a mix of anger and confusion.

“Camden, why would you wish that?”

Lowering my head, I swallow. I don’t want to be in the ring anymore. I can’t. I get in the cage and become someone else. A monster I never knew I was capable of becoming. One I don’t ever want to become again. I can feel it though, the beast that lurks in the depths of my wellbeing waiting to be unleashed. He’s untamable, and dangerous. Nobody would understand where I’m coming from and they can’t. I signed an NDA, I might as well have signed away my soul.

Shaking my head of the thoughts, I place my hand on the small of Tate’s back.

“Come on, let’s find our seats.”

Conrad directs us to private seats up front. The arena is so loud I can’t talk to Tate so we just exchange eye glances. Silently speaking to each other.

“Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready to see Wade Hafferman, and Laner Geezman get it on!” The announcer booms through the intercom.

The crowd cheers in anticipation, but what really has me excited is Tate. I know Laner has the fight.

She’s at the edge of her seat, looking over the few rows in front of us. She’s really in her element. Maybe she is ready to fight. After all, this is what she’s wanted since I’ve known her.

I have wanted to be a fighter since I was a little kid too, but Tate, she has it in her blood.

Glancing at the ring Wade stands tall and lean, his red hair his Irish trademark. Laner bounces on his heels, circling Wade like a shark. Laner is short and stalky, his braided Mohawk popular amongst the ladies.

Wade is 7 and 1, and Laner is 6 and 2. Wade has won more fights, but mostly by tap out. Laner has been knocked out each time he’s won. He has the muscle, he’s just gotta think before he reacts.

The fight starts, and Tate goes from standing up to sitting down. Relaxing in my chair I rest my arm along the back of hers and watch her. I could care less about the fight. It’s her I’m more fascinated with. Staring at her makes my heart race, and my dick hard. Finding someone who knows this world, who shares the common hot headed temper that I do. It undoes me.

She looks at me eyes wide and says something, but I can’t hear a word she’s saying.

She laughs, grabs my face and points it in the direction of the fight.

Wade has Laner in a chokehold. My adrenaline spikes. I’m shocked. I surely thought Laner had this fight. Images flash quickly in my head of my fight in The Underground and I have to clench my eyes shut, willing the images to go away.

Exhaling a breath, I slowly open my eyes and focus on the fight, telling myself it’s not me in the ring, to relax.

Laner tries to fight the hold, but it’s useless, he taps out.

The crowd erupts in cheers and boos, and I am a little dumbstruck by the outcome. Tate jumps to her feet, booing. She even cheers for the same contenders I do.

Grabbing Tate’s hand I stand, the feel of her small fingers interlocking between mine, a comfort I didn’t know I was missing ‘til now.