Page 45 of Double or Nothing

“Taking the bad boy thing to a whole new level today, huh?”

I’m about to give him a smartass reply when Kat walks up.

“What in the hell was that?”

“That was me staking my claim on you.” I smile. She’s here instead of with him, even if it’s because she’s pissed. If she’s pissed, then she still cares. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.

“Staking a claim? You realize if you hadn’t left me high and dry, you wouldn’t have to do that, right?” Pacing in front of me, the sound of her heels clicking on the tile floor reverberate in my head. “And not that it’s any of your business, but he’s a client, you idiot. Nothing more.”

“Bullshit. I saw the way he was looking at you. Believe me, I know that look.”

“What if he was? What do you care? Where’s your little blonde friend from yesterday? Tired of staking your claim on her already?”

“Jealous, Kitty Kat?” Shoving off the wall, I sway, and the room spins. “You wish it was you I was fu—”

Mac’s hand claps over my mouth. “Enough.” The elevator doors open, and he shoves me inside, my back hitting the wall with a thud.

I hear the click of heels on the tile floor and know that Kat followed.

“Let him say it, Mac.”

“This isn’t the time or place, Kat,” Mac’s voice of reason interjects. “Go. You both need to cool off.”

“Tell douchebag I say hi,” I say as Kat exits the elevator.

“Fuck you,” she shouts back.

“So professional,” I taunt.

Luckily, the elevator doors close before our little tantrums escalate even further.

“What the fuck has gotten into you?” Mac yells.

My head rests against the mirrored wall, my eyes looking up at the ceiling. The facade slips away.

“I saw my dad today.”

His sigh fills the elevator, anger dissipating and turning to understanding. We both know what I just did wasn’t fucking right. Mac also knows what seeing my dad does to me. Destructive behavior is always the end result.

“Jesus, Sutton, why?”

“Because I’m a fucking idiot.” I slide down the elevator wall and sit on the floor, my head resting in my hands.

“What did he say?”

“That I was a mistake. I mean, I knew he thought that. Fuck, I’ve heard him say it before, but today, after all these years…” I turn my head and look at Mac where he stands near the doors, ensuring they don’t open. “I can’t do this, man. I need to get this show done and get the fuck out of this town.”

Looking down at me, protecting me, Mac nods. “Okay.”

No questions asked. No arguments.

I tried, for his sake and mine, but I can’t live like this. I can’t live near him because I’ll always be drawn back. I’ll always hope for the approval I’ll never get. It’s why I had to leave. It’s why I worked so damn hard at my music. I was willing to do whatever it took to get away from that man. Away from the innate desire to earn his love and respect. Even if that meant leaving Kat.

After today?

I’m ready to do it again.

Chapter 23

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