Player 99

The "Fight"

The next morning, Robert woke me up, roughly. He was already dressed, in a suit and his hair slicked back. I sat up, rubbing my eyes as last night's events came rushing back to me. I felt dirty and guilty and like a hoe. I guess now, I was technically one. 

"Get up Paige," Robert said, tossing my clothes at me. "You have a big day today. Go to your apartment, get changed and shower, then meet Josh at The Grove." He was giddy as he left the room, an extra bounce in his step. I put on the clothes from yesterday and followed Robert. He was pouring a cup of coffee in a to go cup. He handed it to me. 

"Give me a kiss and get out of here," he said, smiling. I did as I was told, though i flinched when i did it. "We'll have to fix that," he added, as i walked out. I nodded and left, wanting to get as much space between me and my damned boss. 

................................................... 

Josh and I were led to our table, outside of course. A few pap's were buzzing around, taking pictures of us. Josh told me to ignore them as he scooted my chair out for me. I nodded and sat down. He made his way around the table and sat down. He reached out and took my hand. 

"Have you talked with Robert?" he asked lightly. I frowned, nodding. 

"You know what he wants, then I presume?" 

I nodded again, feeling the dirtyness i tried to repress grow again. I scratched at my skin, subconciously. I fiddled with a loose string from my shirt as Josh said nothing. Finally, I broke the silence. 

"Why do you let him boss you around?" I asked. His smile faded. 

"You've never seen him when he's angry about something," he said. "You haven't seen how he can get." Josh was in a mood now. He had lost some of his cheeriness from before. 

We ordered our main course and had dinner in a somewhat silence. We made some conversation about what was going on. It was desert time when Josh thought it would be the best time to "break up" now. It was fine by me until I remembered that I was just walking into someone else's arms.  

"Paige, I'm gay," he said, loud enough for the pap's to hear. I faked shock. 

"But....but...." I stuttered. He sighed. 

"I'm so sorry that i didn't figure it out. I never wanted to hurt you!" he said, as i stood up. 

"Did you know when you asked me to marry you?!" i demanded, loudly. He looked down. "DID YOU?!" 

He nodded meekly. I screamed in fake fustration and threw the engagement ring at him. I turned and left, the pap's buzzing and their camera's lighting up the back yard. I knew that i would have to fake tears so before I pulled out of the parking lot, I banged my hand into the car door. It hurt enough to bring tears in my eyes. As i pulled out, sure enough, the pap's were waiting for me. 

I could hear their questions from inside the car. "Miss Stone, now that you're no longer with Josh, how is this going to affect your work relationship!" "Miss Stone, you've just been told by your fiance that he's gay, how are you feeling about it." "Miss Stone, now that you're single, what are you going to do now!" I drove around them, finding it funny that they had to give me a play by play of what just happened. 

I pulled into my parking garage and got out. I went to the elevator and when i got out, Kev's T.V. was blaring with breaking news. 

"It's just been reported that the Power Couple of Houston has just broken up. Ms. Stone and Mr. Hendricks were having dinner at a local restaurant when he broke it to her that he was gay," the reporter said. "There have been no reports of another man in the situation or how Ms. Stone is handling the news." 

I rolled my eyes and walked past Kevin's desk. I didn't even look at him as he called my name. 

"Paige," he shouted. I kept walking. "I'm glad you did it." 

I flinched as i put my key in the door and unlocked it. I went inside and slammed it behind me. I screamed, not able to handle all of this. I went to the restroom and started the tub. Once it was filled, i undressed and stepped in. The near scalding hot water was a relief. It made me feel less dirty. I sunk in and felt my muscles relax. 

Then my phone buzzed in my pants pocket. I sat up and reached for it. I read the Caller ID. Justin Watt. My heart froze as I saw the name. I let it go to voicemail before i decided to open it.  

You have one new message. 

The new message: 

Paige, Robert called me. He told me to stay away from you, that you don't love me. Tell me it's not true. Just........Call me back. 

I miss you...... 

End of message. 

I hung up before it could tell me the options. I felt the familiar ache in my chest as I thought about him. I felt tears prick my eyes. I'm so sorry, J.J., I thought, even though i knew he couldn't hear me. 

After i got out and put my pajama's on, i crawled into my bed. As i laid there, i thought about Justin's and my first, last and only night together. It had been perfect. I was still reminicing when Robert popped into my mind, ruining the slight hapiness i was feeling. I turned on my side, wrapped the blankets around me and cried myself to sleep, wanting to cut my skin off to feel clean again.  

My last thought before i was asleep was Robert's threat. If you don't make me believe you don't love him anymore, I'll kill him......