Page 107 of Double or Nothing

“What are you doing?” I ask as I watch him shove his belongings into his suitcase.

“Packing.”

“I can see that, but why?”

“I’m leaving.”

“What? Why?”

“Not your problem.”

“Your problems are my problems, Sutton.”

“No, they’re not. I shouldn’t have come back here. I should have stayed gone.”

I remind myself he’s hurting, and despite how much pain his words instill in me, I know they aren’t real. He doesn’t really believe them. He’s only saying them out of anger.

“What about your contract? The residency? You’re just going to walk away from that?”

“I negated the terms of the contract the minute my fist connected with that asshole’s face. It’s over.”

“So, you’re just going to leave?”

“There is nothing left here for me.”

“Nothing left for you? What about me?”

“What about you?”

“Seriously, Sut? You came here and begged me to forgive you. For what? Huh? Just so you can push me away again?”

Sutton turns away from me, unable to look me in the eye, which tells me whatever words he says next will be a lie.

“I thought I still loved you. I was wrong.”

“Oh my God, you are so full of shit,” I shout, furious he would rather let his fear and hurt come between than just let me in.

“I am who I am, Kat.”

“That’s bullshit, and you know it. I don’t think you know who you are anymore. You’ve been playing the asshole for so long, you’re becoming one.”

He just shrugs as if none of this matters when the emotion I see in his eyes tells me differently.

“You’re doing it again!” This time, I’m not heartbroken. I’m angry. So damn angry he’s pulling this shit again, walking away instead of just letting me be there for him.

“I’m doing what needs to be done. I’m going home. Back to where my job is. Back to where I belong.”

“Where you belong is here with me.” I grab his arm, begging him to let me in. “What did he do? What did he say to you to make you feel like this?” He doesn’t reply. “Talk to me, Sutton.”

He yanks out of my hold, tearing his arm away, and walks away.

“The last place I belong is here. New York is my home now. Has been for a long time.”

“Fine. I’ll go with you. We can—”

“No.”

“What do you mean, no? Sutton, we—”

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