by M. N. Forgy
I haven’t talked to Tate since yesterday, and it’s killing me. I’m conflicted. She didn’t tell me about The Underground and it pisses me off. I clench my eyes shut, I wasn’t honest with her either though. Fuck!
Why do relationships have to be so complicated?
If I told her everything she would have told Silvia to shove that deal up her ass. Maybe.
Tate is a fire I can never predict. She’s wild, burning her own path instead of the one laid out for her.
I smirk, thinking about her hellfire ways.
I miss Tate.
I hate that I miss her.
I get why she accepted the fight though, she was trying to save her family. I myself bought my parents’ house when it was nearly taken by the bank years ago. Granted it didn’t save my family, but I have it. I would have done anything to save it.
From the outside it looks like a bunch of wood and a foundation, but it’s more than that. My house told a story, a story about a little blonde haired girl I fell in love with next door. The memories of Tate and I outdid the shitty ones of my parents.
I couldn’t let the bank take it.
The door to the gym opens, and Tate walks in. She has on a baggy gray shirt, and black shorts. Her face is bruised, and her hair doesn’t look like she’s brushed it. She looks rough. I can tell she’s in a lot of pain from the fight by the way she’s hunched over. She looks over the gym, and her eyes land on mine. My chest constricts, and I look down pretending to organize my jock straps.
I feel her standing behind me before hearing her. Resting an elbow on my knee I rub my chin with my hand waiting for her to say something.
“Camden?” Her words are innocent and soft, making this so much harder. “Can we talk?”
I don’t respond, because I’m not sure what to say. Maybe because I know I fucked up as much as she did. When they say men suck at apologizing, they were right.
A hand slaps me upside the head. Furrowing my brows I turn, finding her standing straight, her hands balled into fists at her side.
“Have you lost your mind?” I cock a brow.
“You’re going to talk to me!” she demands. “I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry I left you behind four years ago. I’m sorry that I accepted an illegal fight and didn’t tell you about it. I’m sorry for… I’m sorry for everything.” Tears fall from her eyes and I can feel my resolve instantly break. Bending down I grab my bag and walk to the door not wanting to hash this out here. Especially after the shit that just went down between Thomas and I.
Stepping outside the summer sun warms my skin, sweat instantly beading along my back.
“Most of all, I’m sorry I ever hurt you when all I tried to do was the opposite. I’m just… I suck at doing the right thing. I always have,” she continues, trying to keep up.
I stop a few feet from my car, my keys in my hands. That is why I love Tate though, her faults are what attracts me to her.
“But you aren’t perfect either. You kept secrets from me too, remember that!”
Her footsteps crunch in the gravel as she heads back to her car. I want to be mad at her, but I can’t for the life of me do it any longer.
Angry and confused I throw my bag on the ground and rub at the back of my neck. My head lowered, my eyes closed I call after her.
“Tate!” Opening my eyes, I turn. Tate stops and looks at me with swollen eyes from crying. It bothers me that she’s been crying.
Licking my bottom lip I strut toward her. Her body trembles as I near, her eyes fluttering, her wet lashes stick together.
“I didn’t know—” Fisting her hair hard, I press my mouth to hers, shutting her up.
My lips part hers, demanding entry. Her hands cupping my face I swallow her cries, the taste of stolen tears and sadness filling my mouth. It feels good having her next to me again.
Jerking her hair, her lips pull from mine and I rest my forehead against hers.
This woman is my nightmare and my saving grace. Like a drug. You know it’s bad for you, but the way you feel when you’re so wrapped up and consumed by it overrides any rational thinking.
That’s the shit love is made of.
“I should have told you everything. I messed up,” I confess. “I’m sorry too.”
She nods, a small smile trying to break through her sadness.
I dig my fingers into her neck, catching her attention.
“But, don’t ever pull that shit again,” I whisper.
Chapter Thirty-One
Three Days Later
Tate
I lay in Camden’s bed, my body aching from head to toe. The second day was the worst when it came to pain, and each day gets better but I still hurt from the broken rib. It’s going to take some time to heal from this one.
My hands under my chin, I stare at the half empty duffle bag sitting on the floor across the room. I paid Dad’s debt and the house. He doesn’t know, and I don’t plan on telling him. I’m hoping he just thinks the banks gave up trying to get money.
If I told him I took care of everything he’d think of it as a handout when in reality I’m trying to keep us together. My family is too fragile to lose something so sentimental. It would break us all over again if we lost the house.
Fingers walk up my spine, as Camden lies next to me on his bed. The hairs on my neck raise from the tickle they leave behind.
“How do you feel?” he whispers in my ear. His breath warm and hot, my body pulses to be wrapped in nothing but sheets and him.
“Like a train wreck,” I mumble, “but better.”
His hands make work of my shoulder blades and a sigh escapes my mouth. Fuck that feels great.
“Don’t make noises like that, I want to fuck you so bad but I’m scared of hurting your cracked rib,” his voice comes out rough and promising. It does things to me.
I look over my shoulder and smirk.
“I can deal, I have pain meds.” After our fight I still feel like there’s tension between us. Sex would lay that to rest. Sex makes everything better.
He arches a brow, a primal grin crossing his face.
Leaning over he kisses my back, skipping over the wrap around my ribs and back he kisses my tailbone before biting my ass cheek hard.
“I know you think I forgot about you deceiving me, but I haven’t. You lied to me HellCat, and I plan on making you think twice before ever doing that again.” I was right about the tension, but am excited to relieve it with sex.
Fire burns in my chest that spreads down my abdomen and igniting between my legs from that threat.
Sitting up on his knees he pulls his jersey shorts down, and his erect cock pops free. My mouth salivates wanting to taste him. Holding the base of himself he slaps the mounds of my ass that peek out from under my panties with it.
“I was going to tell you about the fight as soon as I got back. I wasn’t lying, it was just an omission,” I justify.
He drops his cock and fists my hair in one quick move. Tugging back, his blue eyes find mine. They look so primal, but beautiful.
“They’re the same thing,” he growls.
Keeping his hold he uses his other hand to tug my panties down. Spreading my thighs, and lifting my body up I try and help, but the weight of myself causes me to wince and his hard demeanor falls.
“Easy baby,” he whispers.
I have to bite my cheek to keep from smiling. This man really loves me.
Spreading my ass cheeks gently he pushes the head of himself inside of me. A rush of passion surfs through me and out my mouth causing a mewl to tumble from my lips as he fills me fully.
My fingers clench the covers beneath me as he slowly starts pumping into me.
His hands lazily caressing my back before a loud slap echoes through the room and an overwhelming heat blossoms on my right ass cheek.
“Don’t ever lie to me again,” he grits, his pace picking up.
“I won’t,” I moan.
“You’re going to let me take care of you.” He slaps my other cheek a
nd I clench around him in response.
“You’re going to trust me,” he whispers in my ear before biting the lobe so hard stars fire behind my eyelids. Wrapping his hand around my front he grasps one of my tits while his other hand anchors on my hip. Slowly he pushes himself in and out of me, the feeling of us together the remedy I’ve been seeking.
Letting go of my chest he slides his hand up, his fingers parting my lips. I part my mouth, and he inserts two fingers.
“Suck,” he demands breathy.
Obeying, I suck. I lick and nibble.
“Fuck yeah, you dirty little girl,” he groans as his fingers thrust into my mouth.
Pulling his fingers from my mouth I feel his body tense, and he swirls his hips. The tip of him hitting me just right I come, pleasure beading its way through me.
Two wet fingers glide between my cheeks and I tense but my orgasm heightens to heights I’ve never felt before and I relax into him.
Two of his fingers in my ass as I lose control. I moan and pant, and come completely undone around his cock and fingers.
He grunts and comes right behind me, falling on the bed next to me.
Out of breath, and feeling insanely dirty but satisfied, I eye him.
He smiles knowingly.
“Next time you want to lie to me, my dick is going in that ass.”
My eyes go wide before a sly grin takes over.
“Jokes on you, maybe I want your dick in my ass.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Tate
The next day I grab everything I have on The Underground, and shove it into an unmarked envelope. NDA, Rules, Plane ticket, all of it.
Stamping the dorm’s address on the front, I drop it off at the post office and wait for Keegan to get it.
I may not be able to say a word about The Underground but what is stopping some college student who is looking for her shot at a news anchor position from getting some anonymous tip?
The Underground hurt someone I love, and who knows how many people died after being put in the cage like savage animals.
It has to stop.
Camden
Lying in bed I stare up at the dark ceiling. Thoughts of trying to get back in the octagon keeping me awake.
I didn’t kill Chase, so maybe I can get back in the game.
The thought circles in my mind like a horror show on repeat.
Tate stirs next to me and I move my arm off of her, nervous I’m putting too much weight on her.
“Can’t sleep?” she mumbles half asleep. I furrow my brows in thought and take a deep breath.
“Do you think I could get back into the ring? You saw me, did you ever for a second think I didn’t have control?” I sound vulnerable and I hate it, but if anyone will tell me the truth, it’s Tate.
She turns, propping her head on her hand, her blonde hair falling in her face. Her eyes are half open, and her face has that sleepy glow that I love.
“Not at all. I mean you were crazy mad, but you had control. You were stopping yourself before I ever said anything. You just needed an extra push is all.”
I bite my bottom lip before sucking it into my mouth.
“If I accept a fight, will you be there just in case I need that extra push?” My heart pounds in my chest, hoping she will accept. I understand if she doesn’t, she has her own career to look after.
“I’ll be at every fight Camden,” her words are laced with so much care it takes me aback.
Taking my sight off the ceiling I glance at her, tucking a hair behind her ear. She’s smiling, her eyes proud that I’m going to attempt following my dreams.
I really love this woman. She drives me mad and insane. But I love her.
“I have something for you.”
She wakes up. “Me?”
Pushing myself off the bed I step over to a box in the corner of my room. I still haven’t unpacked, and find the little blue box sitting under some clothes.
I open it, finding the necklace with the two gloves tapping each other.
Closing it, I hand it to her.
“I was going to give this to you the day you were leaving for college.”
She sits up, crossing her legs Indian style before opening.
She gasps, her hands cupping her mouth. My forehead sweats, waiting for her to say something.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Yeah?” I exhale with relief. I wasn’t sure if she’d like it when we were kids, let alone now.
“Help me put it on?” Her innocent eyes find mine and I realize right then I never want to be without her. The thought of her ever looking at another man like she is me right now causing a panic attack to rise in my chest.
I help her put it on, and kiss her neck.
“Marry me?”
She stills, her hand dropping from holding her hair up. Blonde tresses framing her face.
“Are you sure?”
I laugh. “Are you trying to talk me out of it?”
“No, I just—”
“Marry me,” I demand, not asking this time.
Turning she cups my face, kissing me hard. She sits up on her knees nearly knocking me back she’s so excited.
“Yes. Yes. Yes,” she mumbles against my lips between each kiss.
My pulse beats wildly in my neck as I think about Tate being my wife. The maddening woman being mine forever.
Spinning us I drop her to the mattress on her back, planning on making love to her.
My fiancée.
My boxing buddy.
My best friend.
Chapter Thirty-Three
One Week Later
Camden
Hitting the bag, I displays I don’t have cage rust, and can still fight. My new coach watches pensively, his eyes narrowed with focus. His name is Les and he’s fifty-three years old, and a retired MMA fighter. He’s strict, but has a lot of respect for the sport.
“You definitely have a strong hit, Camden. Let’s see what you have when it comes to grappling.” Les points at a man standing outside the ring. “Camden, this is Franklin, he’s going to be your own living breathing punching bag.”
Franklin is the same height as me, looks to be the same age. Only difference is he has a bleach blond pretty boy haircut, and an eagle tattooed on his chest. He’ll be a good sparring buddy, but he’s not Pinky. I should refer Pinky here, he’d have a much better outcome and he could be my personal sparring partner.
Until then, this guy will have to do.
Franklin tries to grab me and I turn on my feet putting him into a chokehold. He’s not very quick, and doesn’t seem very experienced.
He tries to kick at my feet and I drop him to the ground. Instantly going into an arm bar. My movements are fluid in their execution.
“Nice!” Coach Les praises. Letting go of Franklin, he coughs on his hands and knees. “You’re a little rough around the edges, but I think you are ready for the ring my friend.” Les rubs at the dark stubble on his chin looking me over.
Excitement and nerves spike a storm in my chest. I don’t know whether to be happy or fucking scared. I haven’t been in a professional ring in years.
The crowd could hate me after the way I left things. My exit in Vegas still haunts me to this day. I’m not sure anyone will forget it.
Tate steps into the ring, her body glistening with sweat from her own workout. She’s still sore and isn’t ready to train at the level she was, but Les wants her stretching and doing light workouts so she doesn’t lose too much muscle.
Switching to this gym was the best thing for us both. It’s more up-to-date and as far as I can tell the coaches aren’t money hungry bastards.
They care about our wellbeing, and when it comes to Tate that is my top priority.
“You did great!” Tate wraps her arms around my neck, but I shake my head not so sure.
“I don’t know, this is too fast. I’m not ready for this.” It’s not that I don’t think I can’t win; I need to ensure my beast is fully caged.
>
Tate tightens her hold on me, her smile fading.
“You are. Stop doubting yourself,” she quips.
I narrow my brows at her tone.
“What if I snap, what if I get too pissed and…”
“Then I’ll be there to push you past it.” She cups my face, kissing me softly. Her plush lips fitting mine perfectly, my doubt folds.
Tate is my beast’s keeper, without her I’d still be hitting a bag in a gym with no promising future wondering what if.
I can’t do this without her.
I smile, and cup the back of her neck.
“Enough of that shit in my gym Tate and Camden! Get back to work!”
Tate and I laugh, and part ways. For some reason, coaches can’t stand public display of affection.
“Don’t forget tonight we meet the wedding planner!” Tate reminds me.
“The one Chloe picked out?” I question. Chloe picked out the most expensive one in Chicago, and I have to say I’m dreading this.
“Yeah, she’s taking this bridesmaid thing to a whole other level.” Tate rolls her eyes. A hit upside my head takes my focus from Tate to where the hit came from. Finding Coach Les pinning me with cold eyes.
“I said enough of that shit. You plan your wedding on your time. I stopped believing in them three divorces ago.” He laughs hard, and I can’t help but laugh with him.
“Now come on, we have to outfight that bad rep you made for yourself. Although I have to say, I love watching the footage of you flipping everyone off.” He glances at me with an impressed look.
I rub at my neck anxiously, hating he not only saw the footage, but is bringing it up.
“Come on sissy boy, let’s see how hard you really hit.” Les holds his hands up, wanting me to punch them as fast and hard as I can.
I raise my fists, ready to throw this fucker down along with my bad reputation.
Tate
“So wait, you don’t want a traditional wedding topper?” Camden looks at me with a confused look as we stand in the posh La Adore Wedding. It’s a wedding planner franchise that Chloe found here in Chicago.