“He started it first!” I point at Camden.
“No I didn’t, she did!” he lies, blood stinging his bottom lip. I smile at the victory.
“Camden!” His mother scolds. “It’s alright Marlow, Camden is no angel, he has a thing with fighting as well. He’s been expelled from school more times than I care to count.”
Momma pushes me in the lower back. “Go, get back home ‘for I give you a whipping!”
Glaring at Camden, I turn and head back home.
But not before sticking my tongue out at him first.
Chapter Three
Tate
Sitting on the steps of Chloe’s house I palm the cup of joe, and blow the steam swirling from it. It’s windy, and warm outside this morning. Sweat beads at the back of my legs as I embrace the quietness.
“‘Sup ho?” Chloe plops her ass right next to mine. “You going to see your dad this morning?”
Glancing up the street I spot my old man spraying bushes out front.
“Hell no.” I pick at the peeling paint of my nail polish. After our conversation last night, I think we both made it clear what we think of my being back.
Looking above the rim of my mug as I take another sip I eye the blue and white bungalow sitting next door.
“He still comes through here you know.”
My eyes snap to hers.
“What? Who?” I try to play off that I don’t know what she’s talking about.
“Camden, he comes through here a couple times a week. Checks on the house and things, some say he is renting the place out.” She looks down the street, her lips scrunched in thought. Hearing his name is a karate kick to my heart. Closing my eyes I see his face, his crooked grin, and perfect lips.
It hurts just as much today as it did four years ago. I miss him, and hate myself for leaving.
“He still lives here?” I point down to the ground. “Like in Chicago?”
“Yup. Ever since his falling out with the law. Did you hear about that?” She looks back at me, her perfectly plucked eyebrow raised. Camden Steel, my first love and first heartbreak. I tried hard to forget about him, but it was kind of hard when his face was plastered all over my TV as the next big thing that hit MMA. Last time I saw him, he wasn’t the little boy I left behind anymore. No, he was a beast that brought me to my knees in front of my television. I’d thud my head against the television screen while I chanted how stupid I was for walking away from that.
“Yeah, I heard he got in some trouble with the law and he hasn’t been in a match since… or something. Whatever.” I try to play it off like I don’t keep tabs on him, and stare into my coffee cup.
“Hmm.” Chloe doesn’t believe me, I can tell. “You sure about going pro?”
“I am. I have had a lot of time to think about it, and it’s what I want. If I don’t make it at least I can say I didn’t back down without a fight.”
She laughs.
“Takedown Tate’s still got it.”
I roll my eyes and laugh. Chloe and Camden gave me that name when I was twelve. We set up a makeshift ring made out of mattresses, pool noodles, and bungee cords one summer. Chloe charged five dollars a person to watch me take on anyone who was brave enough to step into the ring.
I won three out of four. Camden was the one I lost.
“I don’t know about all that,” I chuckle.
“Please, I saw you fight when you were popping those little titties,” she flicks my tit. “So don’t get all modest on me.”
Cupping my stinging breast, I glare at her. “I’d flick you back but I’m a little afraid of your chest.” I mock their impressive size.
She laughs and readjusts her top. “Yeah I thought about getting a reduction but that’d take a lot of tips from the spa. Plus, they get me out of a lot of shit.” Chloe has always been a daredevil, which has gotten her in trouble a couple times growing up. I doubt it’s any different now.
“I’m sure they do.” I shake my head, and go inside to get ready.
Throwing my hair into a top knot. I dress in a white sleeveless shirt, and some black spandex capri pants. It’s all about being comfortable to me. Maybe that’s why I’m single. I’d rather be in exercise gear and comfortable underwear, than wear high heels, and a maxi dresses with butt floss. I tried it once and was picking my butt all day. I don’t know how girls do it.
So… single I’ll be. Maybe I should take Fiona’s advice and buy a vibrator.
“I’ll be back later!” I holler heading out the front door.
“Good luck!” Fiona shouts from the kitchen. “Knock ‘em dead!”
Getting in my car I punch in the address Fiona gave me into my phone’s GPS. It’s about thirty minutes away.
Heading that way I jam out to some old school Beyoncé. Looking at my phone I notice I’m getting close to the location so I slow down. There are several small businesses on each side of the road, but nothing resembling a gym of any sort.
I look at the paper Fiona gave me. Hoping for a name of a business to help indicate where the hell I might be going. There’s nothing though. Just the address.