Page 53 of Mr. Fixer Upper
The announcer wrapped with “Sparks are flying on Kings Construction.”
“Gimmie the hammer,” she demanded.
“Uh-uh.” Andy shook his head and pried his phone out of her hand.
She stood rooted to the spot shaking her head back and forth as if she could dislodge the visual from her mind.
She wanted to yell, to throw something, to do anything to let this buildup of anger out. She wanted to pull a Gannon and throw a hissy fit that someone else would have to clean up. They’d pasted together a relationship and deliberately waited to release it until Meeghan had made her statement, guaranteeing huge views. It was diabolical. She kicked at the freshly painted newel post, winced.
Everything she had hoped had blown over was going to roar back to life. Her name would once again be appearing at the top of internet searches relating to the show and the higher ups would eat it up like the asshole vultures they were. And no #NapsWithGannon would deflect it this time.
“I thought you should see it now rather than…” Andy trailed off, either unsure how to finish the sentence or unsure of his personal safety in her vicinity.
Mel stuck her head out the door, “Hey Paige—”
Andy jumped in front of Mel before she could finish whatever she’d wanted or needed. “Now’s not a great time.”
Yeah, now was not a great time. Now was a clusterfuck, the fuckiest clusterfuck in the history of clusterfuckery. And her career, her reputation, were at the center.
Paige inhaled slowly and with great effort and, deciding it still wasn’t safe to talk, yanked off her mic and bodypack and stalked down the porch steps. She’d take five, try not to give herself some kind of brain aneurysm, and then get through the rest of the day. Then tonight, she’d lay on her bedaloneand try to figure out a way to salvage this disaster.
She made it halfway down the block when she heard him. “Paige!”
She hunched her shoulders and wished she was healed enough to run. He caught her easily, his big hand grabbing her by her good shoulder. Even through her fog of anger, she realized he did it on purpose. He’d kept track of her injuries to make sure he didn’t accidentally hurt her.
But he sure as hell had hurt her on purpose.
“What do you want, King?”
He raised his eyebrows in surprise. “I thought you were upset,St. James. My mistake.”
She stabbed a finger at his mic. He rolled his eyes and yanked the power pack out of the back of his shorts and shut it down. “Better?”
She wanted to let it out. But if she started, she wasn’t going to stop, and it would just be an indecipherable load of verbal vomit.
“I’m fine. I just needed some air.”
“You know there’s only so much bullshit a man can take in a day, and when he works in reality TV, he reaches that level pretty quickly.” His tone was so amicable she wanted to slap him across his sexy face. “So why don’t you just cut to the chase and tell me why you’re limping down the block away from your job.”
“Why would I be upset? What could I possibly have to be upset about?” And she’d snapped. Oh well, might as well embrace it. She stepped into him and jabbed a finger into his chest. “Could it be the fact that your girlfriend just proclaimed to the world what a loyal loving boyfriend you are when you’ve spent the last three nights in my bed? Or that she calls me a production assistant? Nah. That’s just par for the course in Gannon’s world. Maybe it’s the trailer the network is wheeling out as we speak that paints a nice little love story between you and me.”
Her voice had risen so high that dogs were barking in the neighborhood.
“Whoa.” Gannon grinned. “So that’s what goes on in there.”
Paige had to restrain herself from stomping her foot. “You said you weren’t dating Meeghan.”
“Not this again.” Gannon made a fatal mistake and rolled his eyes heavenward as if asking for patience.
Paige gritted her teeth. “Look, Gannon. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but I’m not interested in any kind of relationship with you beyond professional.”
“Paige, you’re back to lying again. I don’t like it.” His tone held a warning in it, one that she was happy to ignore.
“I’m not getting involved with you. You’re the ‘rising network star.’ Another network star seems to be convinced that you’re in a serious relationship with her. There’s too much attention. I don’t want to be a part of it.”
“What are you so afraid of?”
“Everything that has happened!” Her hands were fisted at her sides. “You’re like Kryptonite to my career. Besides, I don’t think yourgirlfriendwould like it,” she retorted.
