Love Tap(68)

Reba looks shocked, her mouth dropping, and her hand clutching her chest.

“Do you get what you’re doing? Do you get that you are jumping the f*cking spectrum with this fight? Do you have any idea how hard women work to get here?” Debs’ voice rises as I have clearly unraveled her.

Reba touches Debs’ arm gently, as if to calm her.

“Tate, trust me. I won’t have you looking like a … doll. We will find something that matches your personality,” Reba assures me.

“Personality? Do you have something made of nails?” Debs huffs, crossing her arms. I glare at her, but kind of take it as a compliment.

“No, something edgy, and daring would work well,” Reba objects, as she clasps her hands in front of her.

Wiping my forehead with my wrist, I exhale a frustrated breath.

“Fine.”

“Right, well, we should get a move on then.” Reba smiles.

I look at Camden worried, and he looks at her like she’s crazy.

“Now? You want to go on a shopping trip now?” Camden questions. Time is practically ticking away before this fight. I need to be here, not at the goddamn mall.

“Yes, time is ticking and I clearly have my work cut out for me.” Reba eyes me like I’m her worst challenge yet.

Two hours later I’m standing in a private studio that Reba and Debs rented out. They have racks of clothes, all approved clothing for the weigh in.

I couldn’t be more bored.

“These are what you will strip down to at weigh in.” Debs throws two tiny pieces of clothing at me. Untangling them there is a small black sports bra and black bikini. Both of them have a red United Front Fighting League logo on the corner of them.

“This is what I’m wearing… in front of everyone?” I ask incredulously. I don’t wear swimsuits that are this revealing on the beach, let alone in front of a crowd.

“Yes, it’s perfect,” Reba chimes from the back as she slides through outfits.

“I might as well just go out in nothing!” My cheeks flush thinking about being in these.

“It has to be light to make sure you are in the right weight class as Kiki,” Debs informs. “You have been sticking to the nutrition plan right?”

“Yes, but, how does this all work exactly?” I ask.

“Well, they will call your name, you’ll go out, strip down, and step on the scale. Then you will step aside and wait until they are done weighing Kiki, and then you will have the stare off,” Debs explains.

“It will be televised so make sure you keep your cool. You are a last minute fill in, so fans are not going to like you.”

I swallow overthinking the whole not liking me part. What if they boo? What if I cry? I’ve seen these on TV plenty of times. They can get pretty heated. I’ve always wondered if it was just a show though, the angry act they put up when staring each other down. I guess I’ll find out.

“They might like her,” Reba states.

“They will when you win.” Debs slides her tongue along the bottom of her lip, her eyebrows bouncing with confidence.

“If I win,” I add, eyeing her.

My phone beeps. Pulling it out of my pocket I unlock the screen finding a text from Camden.

You coming over tonight? -Camden

I think I’m going to have dinner at my dad’s and then I’ll come over. -T

Have you told him about the fight? -Camden

I pick at my bottom lip.

No. I will tonight. -T

Sliding my phone in my pocket I watch Debs and Reba fight over a pair of windbreakers.

“Are we done?”

“The black!” Reba points, before yanking them from Debs’ hands.

Debs rolls her eyes before looking at me.

“Yeah, we got the measurements we need. Be at the airport tomorrow at eight in the morning sharp.” Debs points at me like a disobedient child.

I nod, rolling my eyes while I grab my gym bag off the floor.

“Got it.”

Driving to my dad’s my stomach twists and turns. How am I going to tell him about the fight?

Pulling into the driveway I spot Camden’s car parked in his driveway. I can’t wait to see him, and talk to him. I am so nervous about the fight. What if I’m not ready? What if I lose?

Turning the engine off I get out, and eye the front door to my dad’s house.

I want my dad’s blessing on this. I will still fight without it, but it’ll make this a lot easier knowing he supports me.

Entering the house it smells of cooked garlic.

“Aw, you showed up just in time. Journey is making dinner,” Dad smiles from his chair. He’s oddly in a good mood. Great, I’m about to ruin it.

“Smells good.” I smile, but it doesn’t feel natural. It’s forced, and not genuine. I have too much on my mind to be genuine.

Walking over to Dad’s chair I pat his shoulder.

“Hey Dad, how ya feeling?” I ask, eyeing the three empty grape juices on his end table.

“Better, this clean eating is horse shit, but better.” He looks up at me and winces.

“Jesus Tate, you smell.”

Lifting my arm I smell under my pit. Wow, yeah I need a shower.

“Wow, you’re such a lady.” Journey giggles behind me.

Turning toward her I find her setting down a big dish of cheesy lasagna.