Love Tap by M.N. Forgy Read Free Book Online Page A

His blue irises lock on mine and I hold my breath. My heart breaks all over again just staring at him. His eyes widen with recognition, and his mouth parts.
    Not keeping my mind in the game, I’m suddenly taken down on all fours. Tracey hovers above me, wrapping his arm around my neck, and tucking his head right under my arm. Before I can figure out what he’s doing, he rolls over and chokes me out.
    Refusing to tap out, my ears ring. My breathing becoming labored.
    “Tap out!” A voice I can’t make out echoes in the background.
    I refuse. I won’t.
    My vision begins to blur, just as Tracey’s arm is pulled from my neck.
    I choke and wheeze pulling every morsel of air I can back into my lungs. Falling to my hands and knees, I try to regain my composure. My hair is a mess sticking to my forehead, and sweat trickles down my face to where I can taste it.
    “What the hell was that?” Tracey scolds standing above me. Glancing to where Camden was standing I find him missing. My chest weighs heavy, tears threatening to fill my eyes. I wasn’t prepared to see him.
    “I didn’t tap out,” I croak, my voice nearly gone. Closing my eyes, I fight from crying. If I do, Thomas will think it’s from the fight, and not from a broken heart.
    “What?” Thomas crouches down. Peering up under my lashes I say louder. “I didn’t tap out!” My arms feel like Jello to the point I fall to the mat. Its coolness welcoming me with open arms. “You have to train me now.”
    Cate laughs loud, as she raises her arms up in the air in victory.
    “You made the deal, you lost buddy!” Cate points at him.
    “Jesus Christ.” Thomas stands straight, his hands on his hips as he glares down at me.
    “I didn’t tap out,” I whisper proudly.
     
    ***
     
    Pulling myself up off the floor, my body aches from the amount of effort it takes. My chest constricts as I frantically look around the gym for Camden. Not seeing him anywhere, I quickly slip out of the ring, pull my gloves off, and spit the guard onto the floor. I gotta get out of here.
    I can’t see him. I’m not ready. I’ll never be ready. Turning to grab my bag I run into a wall of pure muscle, the familiar smell hitting home.
    Camden.
    He smells just like he used to when he was eighteen. Clean and spicy.
    My chest trembles as I slowly look up from under my lashes. “Cam-Camden?” I stammer as a shiver runs up my back. The unsettling warmth on my face causes me to sweat, as my heart pounds against my chest with a wave of nerves.
    His brows are pulled together with hate, and his blue eyes are cold and unfriendly. He folds his thick arms across his chest, making his dark shirt strain against his biceps.
    I look away, digging my nails into the palm of my hand.
    The TV has nothing on what the real Camden Steel looks like. He’s his own person. I can’t help but stare back at him. Sharp around the edges, but beautiful. He has small scars that show his pain, and power dusting around his thick eyebrows and cheek bones.
    “Why are you here?” His words are bitter, cutting into me.
    Looking at the ground I avert my eyes from his. His intense stare too much.
    “I um—” I practiced over and over in my head what I would say to Camden if I ever ran into him again. Had it down pat. I would explain why I left him behind, he’d get angry, I’d get angry, and then I’d say something really smart before storming off. He would then chase me, whip me around and kiss me so hard that everything that ever happened would be forgotten. Only… I can’t seem to think of a single thing to say now.
    So, I run. I push past him, and run to my car.
    Out of the building and nearing my car I feel my eyes prick with the urge to cry.
    “Why are you here, Tate?” My name used to come out of his mouth in a way that made my toes curl, now… it’s as if I’m a disease. “TATE!”
    I stop. Using my free hand I wipe the one tear that managed to escape. Maybe this is the part he says he’s missed me,