TateI run two miles before the sun even rises. The whole time my feet plow into the asphalt I think about Camden training me.We will be so close in the ring. His body next to mine, the smell of him lingering on me for hours afterwards.I close my eyes turning onto my block. My mind battling with the pros and cons, but the only thing I can solely focus on is I'm going to be with Camden in a ring. Like old times. He may not want to be with me, and that hurts on a whole other lever. But this is the best move for my career. If anyone knows what it's like in the ring... it's Camden Steel.***Stepping into the gym I find Camden by the ring tapping his hands. It's just us at this early hour.His eyes rake me up and down and butterflies swarm in my stomach. I know he was watching me undress yesterday. I can't deny that I liked it. Though I wish I knew so I could have been a little sexier about it. My shirt got caught in my hair, and my shorts stuck to my sweaty thighs. My
He doesn't press any further and I'm thankful. Standing up, he bounces on the heels of his feet."Alright, show me what you got."Getting into position I pull my fists up just like he taught me the other day. "Come, on princess," he waves his hands, taunting me to come forward. I scowl at his insult. Princess, I'm hardly that. I jab, and he ducks quickly."You missed," he chuckles. Clearly he's grown an ego since I saw him last. I take another swing and miss again. He turns on the balls of his feet placing him behind me. Wrapping a strong arm around my body, his chest presses into my back. The smell of Irish Spring soap overpowering my senses. "If you want me, you have to be faster," he whispers into the shell of my ear. His breath hot and sticky against my skin. He nips at the lobe and lets me go, circling me like a shark.Shaking the lust from my head, I get back into stance. Focusing on the fight at hand. Angry I am becoming so love struck so easily, I throw a quic
Camden Steel is like a snake in the ring. Quick, and unpredictable. I on the other hand am about to pass out from lack of oxygen. I really have to get my endurance up.Sitting down to take a break, he hands me a bottle of cold water."You're a natural Tate," he sits down next me. I look down, not good with compliments."I don't know about that," I chuckle, looking at the plastic bottle. "Sometimes I think I should just stick with boxing instead of attempting MMA."He shakes his head in disagreement, taking his a sip of his sports drink. The way his lips curve around it makes mine pout, wanting to be on the receiving end. Fuck Thomas, and Debs."Stop looking at me like that." He doesn't even look at me, he can just feel me looking at him. Quickly I look down, and bite my lip to keep from blushing."It takes a lot to premeditate your next move, to be able to use your whole body like you do. You need to use it."The door rings as a tall slender woman walks in. She has dark
CamdenHer fuckable lips scream for me to devour them again. One hand in her hair and one on the nape of her neck I'm ready to rip her clothes off and see the beauty of her bare body before me. Looking in-between us I stare at her tits, I have a thing for tits. Gritting my teeth I pull her top down, her breasts bouncing out. Leaning down I nip at the red bud, and her body arches into mine. Hate and sexual tension race through my veins, as my heart longs for her. I both hate and love her.How the hell is that possible?My cock presses into my jockstrap painfully, and I can't for the life of me wait another second to be inside of Tate.Letting go of her nipple, I trail my nose up the curve of her body until my lips reach her earlobe."Get on your fucking knees." I seethe.Not giving her a chance to respond, I shove her onto all fours, and I position myself right behind her. An unintelligible squeak leaves her lips and it's my undoing. Using both of my hands I hook my finge
20 Years OldCamdenSitting in the locker room I hear the announcers call my name. The girls cheering and screaming for me to come out. Wrapping my knuckles in red tape Thomas barrels through the door. He's been on edge for days, and it's starting to become contagious. I can feel the panic starting to spread through my chest. We've done this a dozen times, and each time we get a better fight for next time, but Thomas has it in his head that this fight might be the one to get me into the MFC."Kid, this is it. You take this guy down, you'll make the big leagues. There's big wigs in the crowd like you wouldn't believe!" his voice wavers with excitement.My lips curl into a smirk at his demeanor."You do this every fight, Thomas. Calm down will you, it's just like any other match."His eyes wide, as he stops my wrapping."No, this is the real deal. Potential sponsors, endorsements, people waiting to sign you and make you the next big thing."My heart skips a beat, the
TateJourney is bringing dad home today. Between her and I we put our money together so I could pick up some groceries for the house. The doctor said his cholesterol is through the roof, and is probably due to bad eating habits. I already lost one parent, I'm seeing to it that this one stays around for a bit longer. Looking through dad's fridge, there was nothing but soda and TV dinners. The cabinets weren't any better, they were packed with chips and jerky. I had to throw most of everything away. Chloe came shopping with me, wanting to catch up on things. I know she's going to ask about Camden, that's why I've been avoiding her. It's complicated."He likes sandwiches doesn't he?" Chloe asks, holding up deli meat and lettuce.I shrug. "I'm not sure, he used to."She gives a 'whatever' look and tosses them in the cart."I think as long as you stay away from deep fried stuff, and things loaded in fat and sugar, you'll be helping him," she informs."The doctor said grape
CamdenThis morning Thomas and Debs beat me to the gym and are in their office with the blinds closed. Normally I'd think they were screwing, but I hear them talking. Their tone's serious, but I can't make out what's being said.Grabbing some bungee cord, I tie it to one corner of the ring, and secure it to the other side. Getting the ring ready to run drills with Tate. "You screw her yet?" Chase slaps my back, climbing into the ring."Excuse me?" I stand up right, eyeing Chase with a deadly stare. I crack my knuckles, letting him know just how far I'm willing to go if he doesn't choose his next words carefully. "I'm just messing with ya. You've just had your head up that girls ass here lately I can't help but give you a heard time," he laughs, tugging at the bungee cords. "Keep talking and see if you don't get your ass kicked this morning." I lift my chin, my face warming with anger."Liked to see you try," he stretches casually, his cocky demeanor irritating. I wish
Shadow boxing myself to release some of this aggression Pinky steps up to the mat, his hand wrapped up like a taco. He's not wearing any gear, showing off his brown gelled hair. "Hey, I heard the news about Tate," he smiles a dopey grin. I eye his hand, my chest constricting with the urge to climb out of this ring and beat Chase within in inch of his life.Huffing, I climb down and grab the towel off his shoulder."You're hand going to be okay?" I ask concerned.He shrugs, looking away. "It's a risk being in the ring with you guys. I know that."If only he knew how much of a sadistic asshole Chase was, he wouldn't be so accepting."Don't spar with that pussy again, Pinky," I can't control the authority in my tone as I demand him to stay away from Chase."Why?" he looks at me with wide eyes.I inhale a breath, wondering myself why I'm getting in the middle of this. Maybe it's because Pinky is so young, and really needs someone to look out for him."Just, listen to me,
Seven months laterI watch Camden fight in the ring. His body is sweaty, his muscles bulging as he circles the ring. He's the sexiest thing I've seen. We've been training side by side every day for the last six months. We found a trainer in LA and flew them to Chicago to prepare Camden and I. Camden for this fight, and I have a fight next month in Detroit. WE are doing it, we are making dreams come true. We just had to have each other to make it happen.The crowd is going wild, chanting Camden's name as he takes Jake the Snake to the ground. I stand on my toes my fingers crossed as I watch Camden. Camden still as he straddles Jake on the floor. He looks to the side, looking for me. His extra push.I shove past the MFC crew and into the stage lights where he can see me. I give my nod, and it's all he needs. He flips Jake into a Rear Naked Choke hold and Jake instantly taps out. Camden jumps to his feet in victory."YOU DID IT!!" I scream jumping up and down in my spot. Ca
One week later.CamdenHitting the bag I display 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 choke hold. He's not very quick, and doesn't seem very
TateThe 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 dorms address on the front, I drop it off at the post office and await 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.CamdenLying in bed I stare up at the dark ceiling. Thoughts of trying to get back in the octagon keeping me up.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."Do you th
TateThree Days LaterI 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. My bruises are black and purple and look horrible. Breathing is still a chore with it comes to my ribs too. 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 lays 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 brea
TateCamden and I sit in the back of the car on the way to the air-port. I made Debs get her own ride in fear of me killing her before we reached the air-port. Upon leaving The Underground I can feel Camden's concern and worry dissipating into anger.He's going to be mad, but I'm just glad he knows."I can't believe you gave up the contract after all that," Camden mutters under his breath as he stares out the window."It was the right thing to do," I reply, looking at my feet.His head whips in my direction. His face turning into a blistering red."The right thing to do was to tell me about it! You lied! You fucking betrayed me... AGAIN!" I swallow, tears threatening to spill from bloodshot eyes. My heart beats against my chest in panic, looking for the words to defend my actions but they're lost. Every excuse floating in my head so fast I can't grab on to one."I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but you weren't completely honest with me either-" I cry."I've been complete
CamdenMy untapped fists drive into Chase's face one after another. So much anger and rage release through each it, I can't fucking stop.Each hit ricocheting from my knuckles up my wrist and forearm, the sound of skin against skin fueling me toward dominating this mother fucker.Nobody lays a hand on my woman.It's just monster against beast now.He struggles trying to block my hits but his weak attempts are no match for my experience.His legs come up trying to wrap around me and I anchor myself on top of him, he's not going anywhere.My vision turns red as rage takes over my original intent of being in this fucking cage. I came to protect Tate, but being in this ring the beast wants out. A feral roar rips up my throat as I grab hold of Chase's head ready to snap his life into nothing. Chase's mangled faces blurs into Bret's and I clinch my eyes shut. "You know what I think you're problem is? You're stuck in the past and can't move forward Camden. You have to forg
CamdenPissed that Tate hasn't even texted me back I throw the fucking phone across the gym as a roar erupts through my throat."Dude, what the fuck?" Cate lifts her hands up as she eyes my shattered phone.Swiping my hands through my hair I exhale an angry breath."I can't find Tate anywhere and she's not answering her phone." I inform frantically. I know she didn't leave town because all of her stuff is still at mine and her dads place. So where the fuck is she?Cate's eyes flick to the left way too quickly. Her part mouth and sudden tension telling me she knows something."Do you know where she is?" I ask more aggressively than I intended.She rubs at her forehead."Look, I heard Debs and Tate talking the other day and I heard she was fighting in a place in Nashville Tennessee-""A fight?" I step forward my heart skipping a beat. I didn't hear anything about a fight, surely Tate would have told me, why would she not?"Yeah, an underground one or something. I thou
TateThree weeks come and go. It's not been easy keeping this from Camden or my family. It's killing me. I feel like shit, and have almost told Camden on more than one occasion, but then I fear maybe something bad would happen to them if they did know. Thankfully with all the training I've been doing with Camden, and fucking, his mission of trying to figure out what I'm hiding as faded. I love being close to Camden when were naked and in bed, but it's a mere band aid to the guilt eating me from the inside out. Paranoia has me on edge, and constantly angry.I can't keep doing this. I'm going to tell Camden when I get back. I have to. I love him and don't want this to come between us. I don't want to lose him again. Not over this."You ready?" Debs asks grabbing her suitcase from the conveyer belt. The sound of airplanes and idle chit chat from the airport near deafening.I inhale a ragged breath and grab my bags as well."As I'll ever be."Nashville is hot, and ... full o
TateLooking 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 gyms chair I exhale looking over the paper's 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 then 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