Love Tap(76)

I swallow, feeling that threat to my toes.

Silvia gives me a tight lipped smile and turns on her heel.

“Debs, you have twenty-four hours to give me a yes or no on the deal. I hope you make the right decision, Tate.” Silvia leaves as smoothly as she came.

“Take it, don’t overthink it. This is your shot at the big time, one stupid little fight and you have everything you ever wanted,” Debs’ voice cracks as she begs.

“Yes, but I can’t tell Camden about it, I’d have to lie to him. I don’t think I can do that,” I explain.

She huffs. “He’s going to need you to support him if he doesn’t get his shit together and get back in the ring, Tate. Take the f*cking deal, or find another coach.” She crosses her arms, leaning against the lockers.

Biting my inner lip I want to tell her to go to hell. That Camden has taught me more than her, but she did get me this fight, how did she get me this fight?

“Debs, how did you get me this fight, with Kiki?”

She stops, her hand on the door handle.

“I promised a few friends my cut if you were accepted into The Underground. Being your coach, when you are accepted into The Underground I’m granted a payout as well.”

I scoff. I knew she was money hungry but I didn’t realize how deep her issues really lay.

“You have gotten this far Tate, granted I’m shocked, but are you really just going to give up?”



Camden



Walking back inside I find the hall outside Tate’s locker room oddly empty, a tension in the air unsettling. Quickly I make my way inside and find Tate getting dressed, and Debs leaning up against a locker casually. A chill races up my spine as Tate hits me with an unreadable look.

“Everything okay?” I question, looking between Tate and Debs.

Tate looks at Debs, then down at her feet before nodding.

Striding toward her I pull on her elbow, making her look me in the eye.

“Are you sure?”

Her eyes flutter before a weak attempt of a smile crosses her face. “Nothing, I’m just really tired. The high of the fight is gone and I’m starting to feel everything.”

Suddenly feeling like an ass for thinking she’s not telling me the truth, I let her go and rub at my chin.

“Lets get you to the hotel, has the medic looked her over?” I question Debs, ready to take Tate back to our room and pamper her.

“Yeah, she’s fine.” Debs waves me off.

“Tate, that was some fight my girl!” Tate’s father Nick cheers with amusement as he pushes his way through the room.

Tate lights up, and I can’t help but smile for her. “I knew you had it in you kid. Look, your sister wasn’t feeling so well so she’s outside in the car but I wanted to come tell you how proud I am.” He gives her chin a love tap with his hand. “You got that south paw from your old man.”

Her eyes fill with tears, and I want so bad to comfort her but I don’t. I let her have her moment.

“We should get going,” Debs states after Nick leaves the room.

“Yeah, lets go. I’m exhausted,” Tate mutters, grabbing her gym bag.

“Let me get that,” I insist, grabbing her bag, because Debs is f*cking worthless when it comes to compassion.





Chapter Twenty-Five


Tate



Standing in front of the hotel window I stare out at the night with a bed sheet wrapped tightly around my body. The city continues to move and live even at the late hour. A couple crosses the highway, holding each other’s hands as they race and laugh across the busy streets. I smirk, wondering what is going on their lives. What secrets they’re holding, what problems they’re trying to overcome. Maybe they have none. Maybe they’re completely happy and stupid.

I press my sore hand against the cold glass, the heat from my palm fogging the window.

My heart is telling me not to take the fight, but my head is telling me to take it. My parents’ house comes into mind and my heart aches. This is my only chance at keeping the house. Even if I lose, it’ll be enough to help. My whole life I’ve been told how I need to act like a lady, and girls don’t fight.

I can’t give up now, not when I have a lot more motherf*ckers to prove wrong.

She said I can’t tell Camden.

I roll my eyes, I know that’ll never work. Once I get the money he’ll ask how I got it, and I can’t lie to him again. Lies breed more lies.

My head falls, unsure of what to do. If I tell him about the fight, he won’t let me do it. He’ll tell me it’s too dangerous, or unprofessional. I wonder if this was like the fight he was in when he was stabbed.

Warm arms wrap around my waist, startling me.

“I can hear you thinking, why aren’t you sleeping? Are you hurting?” His voice husky and tickling my ear I can tell he wants me.

I turn in his hold, and cup his face with my hands, the sheets still around my body.

“I’m a little sore, but I just can’t sleep in hotels.” I don’t completely lie.

He kisses my nose. “Come on, let’s get back to bed, we have an early flight back home.”

Climbing into bed with him, I lay on his chest like he likes. He quickly falls asleep, and I grab my phone off the end table and find Debs’ contact info. My fingers hesitating over the keys for just a second before finally typing: