Page 4 of Mr. Fixer Upper
“We’re strong-arming for a raise for the production crew and our guys.”
“My dwindling bank account thanks you,” Paige said. Gannon and Cat had very strong principles about spreading the wealth. The production company had offered them both astronomical raises for the second season, and Paige wasn’t surprised that they wanted to make sure everyone else was taken care of too.
“I heard Gannon mention Meeghan on our way out.”
Cat mimed vomiting. “Gross, let’s not talk about that over-inflated, poor excuse for a human being.”
Meeghan Traxx was the network’s biggest star. She had the blondest hair, the biggest breasts, and an infamously super-sized ego. A designer with two of her own shows, she was also Gannon King’s girlfriend.
Crews talk. And Paige had heard enough to know that Meeghan was considered a monster on and off set. As obnoxious as Gannon could be, even he didn’t deserve Meeghan.
“Does she show up at your family functions? Like, did she bring some gold-plated designer sweet potato side dish to the King Thanksgiving?” Paige pressed.
Cat snorted. “God, no! We’ve never met her. Gannon’s never even talked about her. Which is a good thing because if he were all, ‘Meeghan is so amazing,’ I’d be all, ‘I’m taking you to the ER to get a head scan because you obviously have a head injury.’”
Paige laughed. “I’m just now realizing how much I missed you.”
Cat wrapped her in a one-armed hug. “Mutual, babe.”
“Oh my gosh! It’s really you!” A woman in a pink jogging suit squealed at Cat, hands fluttering. “My husband isnotgoing to believe this! Cat King just walking around the park like a regular person.” She started digging through her giant purse.
Cat winked at Paige. “It’s always nice to meet a fan of the show. Would you like a picture?”
The woman triumphantly rescued her phone from the depths of her bag. “I wouldloveone!” She shoved the phone at Paige. “Is your brother here?” The woman’s head swiveled from side to side fast enough for a low-grade whiplash.
“Just me today.”
The woman sighed. “It’s probably a good thing. I’d faint if I met him.”
Paige grinned as Cat good-naturedly accepted the bear hug turned headlock. She took a couple shots making sure she captured the excitement and Cat’s best side.
The woman unhanded Cat and immediately flipped through the pictures. “This is so exciting!” She hurried off without a backward glance.
Cat grinned. “How long before she realizes she didn’t say good-bye?”
“Two blocks,” Paige predicted. The star factor hadn’t hit until halfway through the show’s first season, making stardom still new to the Kings.
“Is being recognized still fun?” Paige asked.
Cat rolled her shoulders. “I signed up for it. Might as well embrace it.”
“Better than your brother has.” Gannon had an offseason run-in with an aggressive photographer who wouldn’t leave Cat alone at an awards show. The incident had been captured on tape, and though he was mostly heralded for acting as the protective big brother, the incident left a slight smudge that the network was eager to erase.
“Gannon just has a little trouble overcoming his protective instincts,” Cat said. “He always has.” She glanced at the gigantic watch on her slim wrist. “I guess it’s time we get you back for the rest of your thrilling meetings.”
Paige sighed. “It’s going to be a good season.”
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Hours later, after three more meetings and a conference call, an exhausted Paige let herself into her apartment. She peeled off her heels and tossed them in the direction of the couch. With her roommate, Becca, out of town on a shoot, she didn’t stop there. The skirt and blouse came next as she padded back the shabby hallway to her bedroom. Big enough for only a full-sized bed and a dresser, it was still home.
Paige dropped facedown onto the bed and stretched out.
Shooting started next week. They would fly into Columbia, South Carolina, and spend a day laying the groundwork, verifying permits to begin shooting, and then the chaos would begin.
It was hard work with long days. But the experience was invaluable, and she’d be a damned liar if she didn’t admit to getting a little teary-eyed when shooting wrapped and they turned the keys over to the family. As greedy as the production side of things felt, they were still giving a deserving family a home they could be proud of.
Of course, she made sure no one ever saw the tearful side of her. She was on set to do a job and do it well. Eddie depended on her to keep things under control and on budget. And Gannon King challenged her at every turn.
