Love Race (Channing Tatum)

Chapter 10: Don't you dare say it

Yeah, I wanted to play tough
Thought I could all this on my own
But even Superwoman sometimes needed Superman so
Help me out of this hell
Your love, lifts me up like Helium

Weeks had gone by and I hadn't heard from Channing ever since that day at the restaurant.

Now, I was finished with Magic Mike and it was time to go back to my part-time job which was bartender.

I work at The Varnish located at the Pacific Electric Lofts Apartments, it was a good paying job and I had a lot of friends there, including Kia.

I walk into the bar and put on my apron, Kia walks over to me and hugs me. "Still nothing?" I roll my eyes and go to my customers, not wanting to talk about him.

If you're gonna ask, yes. My dad and my brothers had stayed for a while after the whole incident but after it showed that Channing wasn't gonna man up and apologize, they had left. So, now it was just me in my big luxurious apartment.

The only company I actually had was Seth and Franco. Even though we only got high the majority of the time, it was nice to have someone to talk to.

My boss, Carlos came up to me. "Why don't you go home, Nat? I'll give a paid day off, just go home and relax." I smile and hug him before taking off my apron and leaving the bar.

When I got in the car, the first song that played was 'Love Me' by Lil Wayne, the song I quoted to Channing when we first met.

~Flashback~

"Let me put it this way, baby." I open my car door and step in before starting the engine. "I fuck who I want and fuck who I don't."

My radio turns on, 'Do Re Mi' by Blackbear comes on. Channing's jaw clenches at what I just said making me snicker.

"Did you seriously blow me and quote Lil Wayne?"

~End Flashback~

As I arrive back at my apartment complex and head for my door, I see Channing standing there.

I thought I was hallucinating but as I got closer, he didn't disappear. "We need to talk." He says, I nod and unlock my door before stepping inside with him.

We sit on the couch and he takes a breath, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not saying a word to you for the past five weeks. I was just so angry at you and Audrey. I do understand that I shouldn't have taken my anger out on you when you were beaten and bloody." I stand up and walk to the kitchen. He follows and leans against the counter.

"I should've seen the way Audrey had been looking at you. I want to know that you're okay. Because I-"

I whip my head around to look at him, "Don't!" I knew where this was going and I didn't want him to say it, he couldn't. He shouldn't. "Don't you dare say it, Channing Tatum. I swear to god, I will punch you." He smirked and walked closer to me.

"Then punch me. Because I love you." As soon as those words left his lips, my fist tried to connect with his jaw but he caught it. I tried to do the same with my other hand but he caught it too and pinned them to the counter.

"Look me in the eyes and tell me you don't feel the same way. Because I know you do, Natasha Petrova. I see the glint in your eyes when you look at me."

"How do you know it's not just the lighting?" I try to cover for myself, but I know I'm gonna lose.

"Because it's not only your eyes. Your whole body tells me, you love me. When I graze my lips against your jawline, you shiver. When I touch your waist, your fists clench in need. When I kiss your neck, your nails dig into my neck. And when I kiss you, you can't get enough."