Page 110 of Double or Nothing

I love the music. I love my career.

I love Kat more.

I refuse to make the same mistake twice.

Just as I’m about to take that step to leave the plane, a fiery brunette enters.

“You couldn’t even be bothered to answer my text?” she shouts.

“I, uh…”

“You’re an idiot. That’s what you are.”

“Agreed.”

“You’re going to let him continue to control you? You’re going to let him dictate who you are and what kind of life you lead? You’re going to let him destroy the only real home you’ve ever known?”

“No.”

I could just tell her she’s right, that I changed my mind and was about to leave the plane, but seeing her like this is sexy as hell. As much of a dick as it might make me, I want to see how she’s going to fight for me.

“You’re not like him, Sutton. You never were. Quit letting him get into your head.” She points in Val’s direction. “Quit letting her. I talked to the Board with Jack, and we explained the circumstances. We told them that’s not who you are. I told them who you really are.”

“Kat, wait…”

“No. You need to—”

I grip her arms and look her in the eye.

“I was just about to get off the plane when I heard you causing hell out there. There is nothing in the world more important to me than you.”

“You were?”

“I’m not going anywhere, Kat. Residency or no residency. I’m staying—with you.”

Chapter 50

Kat

Deciding to fight for Sutton was the smartest decision I ever made. What I should have done before.

Back then, we were too young. We loved each other, there’s no doubt about that, but neither of us knew who we were or what we really needed. As much as I hate the time we spent apart, as much as I wish he had been there for me when I needed him, I’m grateful for the time.

The more I think back, the more I realize I was Sutton’s girlfriend, and when I wasn’t, I was my mom’s caretaker. I never really had an identity, let alone a clue who I really was or what I wanted out of life. Outside of Sutton, that is. Painful or not, the time apart did us good. We got to live our lives. We got to grow. And luckily, we grew—right back together.

This time, there was nothing in our way. If we fell apart, it was our fault. I couldn’t let that happen. I couldn’t let him go, not without a fight or giving it my all. Where I failed before, I don’t know. I tell him everything I need to say, the same way I did with my mom.

This moment will decide our future. If he stays, he’ll know how I felt, and we can expand upon our love for each other. If he still goes, well, at least I had my say.

When he tells me he was just about to step off the plane, I’m stunned. I really expected more of a fight, especially with Val whispering in his ear.

The woman who set this whole thing in motion.

“You were?”

“I’m not going anywhere, Kat. Residency or no residency, I’m staying—with you.” The fog seems to have lifted, and clarity was setting in. The Sutton I know was returning.

“Absolutely not,” Val interjects. “You agreed—”

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