The Square Up (F*** On The Court)

Chapter Twelve

Abby

I sit in the parking garage of Kade’s building, my hands trembling on the steering wheel. Each beat of my heart is louder than the last. Deep down, I know I’m doing the right thing. But the thought of breaking things off with him feels like I’m slicing myself open.

This can’t go on any longer because I’ll only fall deeper into something that was never genuine.

Kade isn’t mine to keep.

I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and grip the door handle. It takes me two tries to get it open. The elevator ride to his penthouse feels like an eternity, my pulse racing with every floor that ticks by. When I finally reach his door, my hand hovers over the doorbell.

Before I can talk myself out of it, I press the button. My chest tightens as I hear footsteps on the other side of the door. It swings open, and there he is—Kade, looking ridiculously handsome in a plain black T-shirt and jeans. His smile is instantandwarm, like he’s been waiting all day to see me.

“Hey, bright eyes,” he throws his arms open. “Give me a hug.”

How I want to fall into his arms. But this has to be the end.

I force myself to step back, creating distance between us.

His smile falters. “What’s wrong?”

Everything. Everything is wrong. But the words stick in my throat. Inside, I’m falling apart.

“I… we need to talk,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Kade’s eyes narrow as he steps aside to let me in. I move past him, my feet heavy as I walk into the living room. I feel like I’m suffocating like my lungs are filled with cement.

“What do we need to talk about, baby? Did something happen today? Are you all right.”

The concern in his voice sounds so real. I turn, my heart painfully twisting in my chest. “Yes, something happened.”

“What?” His eyes scan me from head to toe. “Are you hurt?”

“Stop it. You’re only making this harder than it has to be.” I throw my hand up. “We have to stop pretending, Kade. This… this was a mistake.”

“We agreed you were staying and that we weren’t going to have this conversation anymore.” His brow furrows.

“Our engagement was never supposed to be real.” I pause. “We were just… pretending. And now, things have gotten out of hand.”

Kade’s face hardens, his jaw tightening as he steps closer to me. “Out of hand? Abby, what are you saying?”

I step back, my voice shaking. “I’m saying this isn’t real, Kade. We’re not real. You and I—we’re from different worlds. I’m your agent, and you’re… you’re Kade Nash, the superstar. Bad-boy extraordinaire. This was fun. I’ve really had a good time. But it’s time we go our separate ways.” I reach for the diamond.

His eyes flash with something that makes me take a step back. “Fun? You think this has been fun for me?” His voice drops, rough and raw. “Abby, this is the most real thing I’ve ever felt.”

I shake my head, tears stinging my eyes. “You don’t mean it. You felt sorry for me is what happened. You’ve never wanted anything real with me, Kade. I’m just—”

“You’re just what?” he cuts me off, stepping in front of me. “Just another woman? Just some fling? Is that what you think?”

I swallow hard, the tears threatening to spill over. “It’s what you do. You… you move on. You don’t stay.”

“You’re right. I’ve never stayed with a woman. Not ever.” He inches closer. “Until you. You’re what’s different, Abby. It’s you. With you in my life, I’m not the same. I’m better.” He reaches for my hand. “I’m yours.”

I try to pull my hand away, but he holds on, refusing to let me go. “Please don’t make this harder than it already is,” I whisper, my voice cracking. “Please don’t give me any more of your lines.”

“Lines?” Kade shakes his head. “I’ve never used a line on you.”

“That’s not true.”

He tips my chin up. “Look into my eyes, baby.” He says softly. “The truth is there.”

My lips start to quiver as I gaze into his eyes.

“What do you see?”

“I don’t know…” I look away.

“Yes, you do. Look again. I’m not letting you go, Abby. I’m not letting you walk out of my life.”

“I have to.” My voice cracks. “I have to go before you leave me. The longer I stay, the harder it’s going to be for me, Kade. I have to save myself.”

His eyes soften. “I am never leaving you. I’m in this forever. I’m in love with you, Abby.”

The words hit me like a tidal wave, crashing over me with such force I can barely breathe. I stagger back, shaking my head. “No… no, you don’t.”

“I do,” he says, stepping closer, his hands cupping my face. “I love you, Abby. You’re everything to me.” His finger strokes my cheek. “You’re the love of my life.”

More tears fall; I can’t hold them back anymore. “Kade, please—”

“Please, what?” he whispers, his thumb brushing away a tear. “Please let you walk out of my life? Please let you push me away because you’re scared? I can’t do that, baby. I won’t.”

He’s so emphatic, so downright vehement, I’m starting to think that maybe he’s right. Maybe I am afraid. Maybe I’m so scared I let Cassidy’s opinions steer me off course.

“I love you,” he says again, his voice softer than velvet. “And I’m not letting you go. That’s my ring on your finger, and it’s staying right where it is.”

I close my eyes, wanting to believe him. God, I want to believe him so badly.

“Kade…” My voice trembles as my walls crumble to the ground. “I don’t know how to do this.”

“Then let me show you,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against mine. “Let me love you.”