TAPPING OUT by Nikki Ash: Cover Reveal, Excerpt, Pre-Order Links, Teaser & Giveaway
Title: Tapping Out
Series: A Fighting Love Novel
Author: Nikki Ash
Genre: MMA Romance/Stand Alone
Being a fighter is in my blood. My grandfather was a fighter, my father was a fighter, and I’m a fighter. I live for the rush of adrenaline and sensation of victory. When I fight, I give it my all. I step into the octagon and I fight until there’s nothing left to fight for.
He’s been my best friend for most of my life. I’ve fought with him, fought against him, and for the longest time I fought for him, for us. Until he pushed me away, leaving me no choice but to tap-out.
***
Fighting is what saved me. It shed the old me and I became a newer shinier version of myself. Until it took away everything I loved. I gave up and tapped out.
Then one day, she came back into my life and reminded me that some things in life are worth fighting for. Now I’m fighting for us, day by day, proving to her that our happily ever after is worth fighting for.
Two lines mean pregnant. One line means not.
Two lines. Pregnant.
One line. Not.
I sit on the edge of the tub in the bathroom with the door locked. My head is down as I stare at the tiled floor. There are thirty-four tiles. One is cracked. The grout is dirty. I should buy better cleaning supplies. The test said three minutes. It’s probably been closer to ten but I can’t look. Will the test still be accurate if I don’t look right away? Maybe I should take another one just in case.
Two lines and my life changes.
One line and nothing changes.
“Bella! You have been in there forever. Are we still going to dinner? The shower isn’t even running. Gina is going to be here any minute.” When I don’t respond, Tristan knocks on the door, again. “Bella!”
“I’ll be out in a minute,” I yell through the door praying he can’t hear the tremble in my voice. If he knows I’m freaking out, he will without a doubt force his way in here to find out what’s going on, and right now, Tristan is probably the last person I want knowing what’s going on.
Taking a deep breath, I stand up and walk slowly toward the counter silently praying for one line, like praying now is going to make a difference, like if I pray right this second, the results will miraculously change in my favor. The second line will just disappear and all will be right with the world. Maybe I don’t need a miracle. Maybe there’s only one line. Maybe I am freaking out over nothing. I swear to God if there’s only one line, I am getting on birth control today! Not that I’ll need it, because if I’m not pregnant, I’m never having sex again! Ok, maybe not never again but not anytime in the near future.
Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. After holding it in for a few seconds, I let out a slow exhale. Nope, doesn’t work, I’m still freaking out. I open my eyes and stare at the test.
Nikki Ash resides in South Florida where she is an English teacher and mom by day and a writer by night. When she’s not writing, you can find her with a book in her hand. From the Boxcar Children to Wuthering Heights to the latest Single Parent Romance, she has lived and breathed every type of book.
Reading is like breathing in, writing is like breathing out. – Pam Allyn
While reading and writing are her passions, her two children are her entire world. You can probably find them at a Disney park before you would find them at home on the weekends!