Love Tap(8)

“Seconds can be just as satisfying as firsts Kaley.”

Swallowing hard, she fidgets with her hands.

“I need coffee.” Rubbing the back of my neck I leave the room heading to the kitchen. Heels click along the cemented floor, the smell of Kaley’s perfume making my head hurt more than it already is. It’s not from drinking either. More like the lack of. I’m a recovering alcoholic. At least that’s what the therapist, I’m ordered by the court to see weekly says. Setting up the Keurig I watch it stream hot water into the cracked ceramic cup.

“When are you going to unpack?” Kaley asks, stepping over boxes. Twisting my lips into thought, I look around the room. It’s a shit apartment compared to where I had been staying. It’s much smaller, and older. I think it was an old firehouse or something.

“What’s the point?” I won’t be able to afford rent here much longer. Fortunately for me, the people who were renting my parents’ house finally vacated, so I can live there if I need to. Only reason I haven’t yet is because of ghosts. Every time I step foot in that house, I can hear Tatum’s laugh haunt me.

“I don’t know, maybe it’ll help get that stick out of your ass if you sink your feet in somewhere.” I raise a brow at her flippant tone.

“So, the sports channel called and was wanting to set up a—”

“No.” I cut her off. We do this everyday. She tries to set me up with multiple promotional opportunities, and I always tell her no. Fighting in front of a camera… I’m over it. I’m done. My last stint made sure of that.

“Okay. The MFC wants to set up a fight with—”

“No.”

“Well, newscaster Tom Brenny wants an interview?”

“Nope.” I emphasis the p as I flip on the TV.

She sighs, lowering her clipboard.

“Why are you doing this to yourself?” She groans in frustration.

“Why are you still here? I haven’t paid you in three months, and you don’t want to f*ck.” I shrug, grabbing my fresh cup of coffee. It’s not because she’s not good at what she does why I haven’t paid her. I can’t afford her anymore.

Her eyes fall as she adjusts her board.

“Because I refuse to believe you’re done. You’re Camden Steel, you don’t just quit.”

“Thanks Jen, this is the week everyone is preparing for Jake ‘The Snake’ Adams to return to Chicago today after his big win in the ring this weekend in Arizona.” My eyes focus on the TV as the morning sports channel comes on.

“If you remember Jake was born and raised here, and is one of two MMA fighters that flourished from this very city. Camden Steel is also from here, but as you may remember Camden’s fighting career came to a halt after his last stunt in Las Vegas,” Jen the news anchor continues and I cringe at my name.

The screen switches from the two of them to the footage of me racing down the freeway in a red Spyder with dozens of law enforcement right behind me, my hand reaches out of the window and flips off the helicopter that was hovering above. They love to show that one over and over. I wish everyone would just f*cking forget it, and me.

“After the car chase that led him across Las Vegas, he has seemed to finally keep himself out of trouble, and the public’s eye. We tried to reach out to Camden and his team for an interview to explain his actions, and were told no comment in response,” news anchor Sharon informs everyone.

“Such a shame. Wherever he is, I hope he’s getting the help he needs,” news anchor Jen shakes her head.

“I agree. Hopefully the fame won’t get to Jake Adams.”

Turning the TV off I turn and slam the mug on the counter. Cracking it more. The heat on my face becoming unbearable. I need to get out of here.

“You gotta admit, that was some exit.” Kaley grabs my cup and takes a sip. My brows rise in surprise. “I’m not going anywhere, I know that you will be back in that ring and I’m going to be here when you do.” She rests her elbows on the counter.

“Why?”

“It’s not everyday a newbie like me lands a celebrity like yourself. Sure they may have handed me over to you after you started your downward spiral, but I will be here when you return to the top.” I squint my eyes at her.

“You’re wasting your time. I’m not going back.” I don’t fight because of my demons. But the passion to still practice and just release the adrenaline is still there. I love fighting, I just don’t trust myself in a ring with competition.

“I don’t believe that. Now, tell me what I can do.”

I blow out an irritated breath. I need to hit the gym, my body feels wound up like a damn jack in the box.

“You want to help?” I grab my gym bag from the floor. “Get—”

“You can’t remember her name can you?” Kaley asks smugly. This isn’t the first time I’ve asked her to get my one-night stands out afterwards. I don’t like to deal with the ‘who calls who’ and shit afterwards. I feel bad when they want more and I don’t.

“Of course I remember her name,” I scoff. I don’t. After knowing each other’s names, comes feelings.

“Sure you do. I got it, like usual.” Kaley sighs so heavily, the hair in her face blows to the side.