Page 75 of Mr. Fixer Upper
It was the truth. The painful, honest truth.
Her phone signaled an incoming call. Gannon. She debated, nearly sending it to voicemail, and then relented.
“Hey.” Her voice was flat, tired.
“Paige.” Her name was a rush of relief from Gannon’s lips.
She squeezed her eyes closed tight. “I don’t know why I answered the phone.”
“Don’t hang up.” He made the demand abruptly before adding, “Please.”
She sighed, but didn’t disconnect.
“Did you get my messages?” His voice was low and husky.
“I didn’t listen to them or read them.”
He blew out a breath. “I can’t believe how fucked up everything got.”
Her laugh was bitter. “Tell me about it.”
“You didn’t give me a chance to explain. You just packed up and left like I didn’t even matter to you.”
“What’s there to explain?”
“Paige.”
“Did you know she was coming? Was I some kind of joke to you?”
“Jesus. Is that what you think?”
“I’d like to think you’re not that good of an actor,” Paige admitted.
“I’m not. You know I’m not. Paige, you know me.” He sounded frustrated. “I hate this. I’m not good at communicating when I’m pissed off.”
“You’repissed off?”
“She’s trying to ruin everything because I didn’t play ball,” Gannon said. “And you’re going to let her. So yeah, I’m pissed.”
“Meeghan?”
“I told you it was for publicity, but I told the network I wasn’t doing it anymore. The show was good. We didn’t need any of that bullshit to pull in an audience.”
“Obviously, she didn’t get the message.” Paige rubbed a hand over her forehead in the dark.
“I didn’t pay any attention to the press she was giving about us still being together. She’s the network’s problem now. So when she showed up on set and laid one on me and treated you like… like a fucking lackey…” he broke off.
“Did you ever sleep with her?”
His pause was damning. “Yeah, but—”
“Maybe that’s okay in your world. Sleep with some girl, let her think you’re together until you find someone else, but it’s not okay in mine. I never would have slept with you if I thought you were with someone. Even if it isher.”
“Goddamn it, Paige. I’m not with her. I never was.”
“You slept with her.” There was no point arguing. He’d never seen it from her point of view. “Look, I’m sorry for leaving like I did. I should have at least stuck around to have this conversation in person. Whatever happened, it doesn’t really matter. What matters is how this relationship is making me feel, and it’s not good. I’m out, Gannon.”
“You can’t just—”
