Love Tap(77)

I’m in.

If anyone can do this, why not me?





Chapter Twenty-Six


Tate



Looking over the NDA my head spins. Party A, and provisions all sounding the same.

“Do I get a copy of this?” I ask, thumbing the pages that seem to go on forever.

“Yes.” Debs huffs giving me more papers to read and sign. “Just make sure you keep it in a vault or locked up. Silvia is not joking around when it comes to disclosure.”

Sitting back in the gym’s chair I exhale looking over the papers again.

“This seems sketchy, illegal even. Does the MFC know about it?” I look up at Debs who is biting her nails.

“I don’t know, who cares. It gets you to the top and us rich,” she quips.

I hate her outlook. There is more to the game than getting rich.

“What about respect?” I ask.

She eyes me like I’m crazy, and that’s how I know we are of a different breed. After this fight, I think I need to find another coach.

The doors to the gym open, blowing posters along the wall everywhere.

Someone’s here.

Quickly I push my copy of the NDA and rules in my gym bag and stand.

“When is the fight?” I whisper, my body temperature rising that we might get caught talking about it.

“Three weeks. We’ll catch a flight to Nashville, TN.”

“Three weeks! That is not enough time for me to heal in between fights.” I can’t help but raise my voice. Debs glances out the office door, noticing Cate sorting her vegetables for her morning smoothie. Debs shuts the door and arches a brow.

“Look, I know just about as much as you do. Luckily for you you’re not too banged up so three weeks should be fine. My guess is they make it quick between signing the NDA and the fight so you don’t over think it and back out, and less time for you to open your mouth,” she informs, her hand still on the office door.

I rub at my forehead anxiously. Why am I not backing out of this? So many red flags are waving, but for some reason it’s not enough for me to back out.

I want the money to help my dad and sister, but I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge either.

“I know of fighters that have done this Tate. It’s an honor to even be asked to participate, take the opportunity and seize the moment. She wouldn’t have asked you if she didn’t think you were ready.”

Anger rushes through me to where spots appear in my vision. “It’s not that I don’t think I can do this, it’s just a lot of secrets I don’t feel comfortable with.”

“If this is about you not telling Camden, just know that we all have a story we never tell.” She taps her nail on the door before leaving.

I sink back into my chair as my fingers fumble with my bottom lip.

I remember when I was little my dad telling a local newspaper that fighters have three lives: a public life, a private life, and a secret life. I used to wonder what secrets my father held, but as I’m stepping into his shoes I think I’m starting to find out.



Camden



Sitting on the bench I watch Tate as she jump ropes, I told her to take a few days off to heal but she insists that she keeps training.

She’s wearing some blue work out shorts, and a large yellow shirt with the arms cut off. Her blonde hair falling from her loose ponytail with every jump. I don’t know how she can make the simplest of clothes look like she took hours to perfect, but she does.

“Will you stop staring at my tits like that?” she asks between jumps.

I cock a smirk.

“When you have tits like you do, it’s like a vortex baby. They just suck me right in.” Raising my arms I display how my sight zeros in on her delectable chest, and she laughs.

She stops jumping, dropping the rope to the ground. She seems off today, in fact she’s seemed off the last few days. I feel like she isn’t telling me something, but I can’t keep asking. I’ll look like a *.

“You want to eat?” I ask.

“No, I’m good.” I raise a brow. “I was thinking about getting pizza, when is the last time you had deep dish?”

“Uh, been awhile, but I’m good.” She shrugs.

Tilting my head to the side I eye her. Tate never backs down from pizza.

“Are you sick?”

“Do what?” She looks up me, her tone of voice indicating she has no idea what we are talking about. She hasn’t been the same and it’s starting to piss me off.

Grabbing her hand roughly I pull her into me, her eyes flashing with surprise.

“Do you need a good f*cking? Is that what has you so unfocused and on edge? Do you need my cock?” Her cheeks warm as she looks around to see if anyone heard. Sliding my hand up her back, I fist her hair making her look me in the eyes.

“Screw them, I’ll f*ck you right here and let them watch if it means I can bring you back to earth.”

“I think your ego is growing faster than your dick,” she smarts, and I strengthen my hold on her hair.

“Maybe you should test that out, tell me if my cock is bigger than my ego or not?”

Not giving her a chance to respond I walk her backwards before opening a door that leads into a storage closet.

“What are you doing?” she whispers frantically.