Love Tap(7)

Rolling his lips onto each other, Dad’s nose scrunches in anger. The blood rushing to his face makes the scars of his previous life shine with honor. A lot of people might be afraid of my dad’s temper, but not me. I like it when he’s mad, it reminds me of the dad I used to have.

“You’re making a mistake,” he seethes.

“Maybe.” I shrug. “But at least it’ll be my decision and my mistake to make.”

“Your mother would be so disappointed,” he jabs, and my nose flares as my chest constricts with sadness.

“That’s a low blow for someone who doesn’t f*cking box anymore.” His eyes go as wide as saucers. I’m not supposed to bring up his boxing career. He gave up everything too after we found out Mom was sick. Our lives fell apart after that.

“Just stop!” Journey holds both her hands out, as if she’s trying to split us up. Her tie dyed dress swaying at her feet.

Journey sniffs, running her hand under her bloody nose.

“I can’t believe you let him hit you.” I flex my fingers. If that cop hadn’t been there, I would have decked that *.

“I don’t hit people Tate, I love them.”

I palm my face.

“Oh my God, you’re a hippie. When did this happen?” I groan in disbelief.

“At least she listens to me,” Dad snides, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Right, because eating flowers, shitting rainbows, and getting smacked in the face by your boyfriend is ideal over me dropping out of school to fight professionally.”

They both look at me stunned.

“You’re what!” My dad rubs at his chin, his face as white as cotton. Shit, I didn’t mean to let that last one slip.

“Don’t even!” I point at him, warning him he’s edging on my last nerve.

“I forbid it!” Dad looks at me with a blister red face.

“Funny thing, I don’t care what you want anymore. You don’t want to fight that is your decision and your life. But, I’m living mine now.”

“I can’t believe you’re going to pick the fighter’s life when you have so much more going for you.” Dad shakes his head, not daring to look me in the eye.

“I’m not picking the fighter’s life, the fighter’s life chose me!” I point to myself, hollering so loud I can feel my face flush with anger. He used to be a boxer, a damn good one at that. It’s in my blood to fight, and I can’t help that.

“You need to relax.” Journey’s bushy brows peak. “Smoke some weed or something guys, geez.” Dad tilts his head to the side, shifting on his feet. “You smoke pot, Journey?” His question doesn’t come out like he’s angry anymore. No, it comes out as if he’s about to ask her for a joint. What the hell have I walked myself into?

Hollowing my cheeks I blow out an irritated breath and turn on my heels to head back toward Fiona and Chloe.

“You know what, I’m going back to bed. I don’t have the energy to deal with this right now.”

“Nice to know your best friend will let you sleep on her couch when you’re homeless!” Dad sneers from behind me.

Lifting my hand, I flip him off and keep walking.

“Glad to be home too, Dad!”

Camden Steel

A wave of thunder slams in my head, echoing into a storm of pain. Groaning I rub the heel of my palm into my eyes.

“UP!”

The blinds are pulled open and the damn sun from hell burns into my skin. Rolling over, I shove my head into my pillow.

“What the f*ck Kaley?” Kaley is my assistant/publicist, and she’s a pain in my ass. One that won’t seem to go away. Everyone from my team has pretty much up and left when I went into hiding, except her. She’s either really stupid, or very loyal.

“Come on, today is the day we are going to jump back!”

“I’m going to stop you right there.” I hold my hand up interrupting her. Swinging my legs over the bed, I peel my left eyelid open and find her standing in front of the window with a hand on her hip, the other hand carrying a folder. “Today is the day for nothing. How many times do we have to do this before you get that?” She bites her bottom lip, and adjusts her thick black framed glasses. Shaking my head, I stand and stretch. My muscles are stiff and object to the strain. I grab my gray sweats off the floor and shuffle them up my legs, tying the strings snugly. Looking up I find Kaley eyeing me. I smirk, catching her red handed.

She wants the D.

“Okay well…” she mumbles, looking anywhere but at me. Her dark hair falling into her face.

Striding up to her, I flick a strand of hair falling in her face.

“Say the word sweetheart, I’m into the whole f*cking my assistant so hard her glasses fog.”

Her cheeks flush, as she swats my hand away.

“Nice try Mr. Steele. I’m not interested.” Her chest rises as if she’s holding her breath. She’s lying.

“You sure about that?” Tilting my head to the side I can’t help but smirk. She adjusts her glasses and eyes the bed behind me. Glancing over my shoulder I find the girl I took to bed last night passed out. Her makeup is all over the pillow and her hair is frightful from all the styling shit she has in it.

“I’m not into sloppy seconds Mr. Steel.”