“I was hoping you weren’t going to dress up, but I wasn’t sure and didn’t want to show up in casual while you dressed up. I’d feel like an asshole.” He shrugs, a smirk fitting his face flawlessly. “Well, more than usual anyway.”
“You look really good,” I smile approvingly. He looks ravishing cleaned up.
“You too.” He looks me up and down and a blush heats my cheeks.
We both look at Chloe who is standing next to us. Her face is pinched in confusion as she eyes us like we’re a reality TV show. See, she never did get Camden and I.
“You know what, I thought maybe you two were just ass backwards, but now… I know you two are perfect for each other.” She rolls her eyes, and sashays out of the room.
The room is filled with tension as she leaves, leaving an awkward Camden and I. It feels like a first date all over again.
Risking a glance at Camden, both hands in his pocket, his head leaned down he looks up at me.
“You ready?” He holds his hand out to me.
I smile and grab it. “Yes.”
“Good, we don’t want to miss our flight.”
My smile fades. “Flight?”
“Yeah, our date is in South Dakota.”
Camden
Tate is looking out the window, her face lit up and eyes bright. She looks like a little kid on her first airplane and I can’t take my eyes off of her. Kaley really went all out getting me these tickets.
I don’t know how she got a private jet, and I’m not sure I want to.
I know I can’t afford it. I’m broke. I made sure to spend damn near every dime I had trying to bury myself and hinder my celebrity profile as much as I could.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” Snapping me from my thoughts I mask a smile.
“Seeing that you got your first fight booked, I want you to see what it’s like in the ring up close,” I explain.
“You’re taking me to a cage fight!” Her face stoic, I can’t help but chuckle.
“Yes, I pulled a few strings and got us tickets.”
She grabs my hand, and squeezes it tenderly. My brows furrow as I look down at our hands interlocked. The soft gesture hitting me in the chest and bringing every single feeling I ever had for Tate to the surface.
“Thank you.” Taking my gaze from our hands I look at her green eyes.
“You’re welcome.”
I’m falling for her all over again.
Landing at the airport, a private black town car takes us to the arena.
As soon as we pull up there’s cameras everywhere. News reporters broadcasting live right outside the arena. Shit, I was hoping they’d all be inside. I squeeze Tate’s hand grabbing her attention.
“I’m not sure if we’ll bring any attention or not, but if they come running with cameras keep your head down and do not respond to anything they say.” She looks at me with pinched brows. “Do you understand?”
She nods. “Yeah, okay,” her voice small, I give a curt nod and inhale a deep breath.
I’ve been out of the spotlight for a while now, but if they’re hungry enough… the sharks will come running at the bait. Tate being the worm.
Our driver pulls up front and quickly I get out to open Tate’s door.
Holding her hand I keep my head down and head toward the front entrance.
Not paying attention to who’s in front of me I knock into a little boy.
“Sorry about that little guy.” I ruffle his hair, and step around him.
“Hey, that’s Camden Steel!”
My chest constricts, as the boy announces my name to everyone in the vicinity.
“Should we stop?” Tate questions.
A reporter holding a mic looks our way, her eyes lighting up with recognition.
Fuck.
Quickly she races toward me, a few paparazzi right behind her.
“Camden where have you been?” A reporter shoves her mic in my face.
“Camden why did you stop fighting?”
“Camden is this your girlfriend?”
“Ma’am are you pregnant?” I cringe at that last question.
Instantly MFC sanctioned bodyguards rush out of the arena, pushing the cameras and flashing lights away.
“Come with us sir!” Holding their arms out they lead a path to the door.
Wrapping my arm around Tate I rush inside the secure doors, and away from the sudden chaos.
Once inside a short stalky man awaits with his arms crossed. His thin red hair shining amongst the lights, and bright eyes smiling as if he loves his job and is the happiest man alive.
“Sorry Mr. Steel. Had we known you were arriving we would have had a more secure entrance.”
I raise a brow not sure who the hell this guy is.
Noticing my skepticism, he holds his hand out to shake. “I’m Conrad and I’m in charge of security. We help celebrities and high profiles get inside the building without hassle of the paparazzi.”
“Are you okay?” I take my attention off Conrad, and direct it toward Tate. She seems a little frazzled, as she nods.
Letting go of her hand I grip her chin, making her look at me.
“Are you sure?” Maybe we should leave, maybe this was a bad idea.
She smirks, pulling from my hold.
“Yes, I’m fine. That was just… interesting,” she smirks, looking away.
“Sorry, I was really hoping they’d forgot about me,” I admit.
Her brows pull together in a mix of anger and confusion.