27

As the door slammed behind Isis who had just ran from the room, Gage was furious.

“Dammit! Jacob, I told you this would happen! We broke her one rule and now I have to fix it. Fucking show writers did this and now she blames me. I’m going to kill Davis for allowing this.”

Gage stormed out to search for Isis, just wearing a pair of grey sweatpants. A stagehand told him he saw Isis heading to the parking garage and Gage ran to catch up.

“Isis! Please, come here? Isis! Baby, where are you?”

He had almost given up when he turned around, and there she stood in the middle of the parking garage. Makeup smeared down her face from crying, and the look of disappointment was written all over her. He felt like he was always the reason for her tears, and he hated it.

“You lied to me. I was trying, and you lied to me.” She broke down crying in a shaky voice. “Those girls. In the one place, you promised they would never be.”

“Baby, please listen. That was not my idea. We found out this morning that Davis insisted we do the scene. It was the writer’s idea, leading up to a storyline with you and I getting involved. We talked about that storyline, remember? I promise. It wasn’t my idea. I would never do this to hurt you. It was all just part of the show.” Gage walked over to her.

“But you didn’t say no, did you?”

“You know how Davis is. Once he has his mind set on something, there is no changing it. He’s determined to do anything to keep fans watching. Even going as far as making it look like I was having an orgy in the shower. I had Nick and Jacob try to occupy you. I didn’t want you to have to see that. I had no idea no one stayed with you. Nick was flirting with some chick when he should have been telling you what was going on. I finally got you to trust me. You think I want to screw up now?” Gage smiled, getting closer to wipe her tear away. “I never wanted this.”

“But you were in there, even after the segment.” She sucked back a tear, looking at the ground.

“We were all dressed under the towels. The girls had their dresses under them. No one was nude. I had on my ring shorts under the towel. I didn’t want to upset you, but it ended up that way. Hmm? Am I mistaken or are you jealous?” He rubbed her arm with a kind smile.

She looked into his eyes. “My punishment. Was that it?” She looked at him, searching for any rational reason that he went along with the segment. “Because just as much as you hate to see men flirt with me, it kills me seeing those women all over you.”

Gage smiled. “So, what are you saying? You want me all to yourself?”

“Well, yes. Yes. I do. If you expect me to play your little game, I can’t handle watching that anymore.” She moved toward him. “Do you want me, Gage? Does any part of you want me?”

“I do.”

“Then help me be what you want.” She laid her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I want you for my own,” she whispered.

“When you find out what that means, you may change your mind.” He ran his hands over her long hair.

“I want to try. Do one thing for me, please. No more treating me badly or saying hurtful things. I can take criticism, but when you call me names, that hurts. Everyone made fun of me as a kid, and those words still hurt. From you, it’s breaking my heart. All I ever wanted is for you to want me. With everything you say to hurt me, a little part of me breaks inside. Please. No more. I can be good. Just let me show you.” She felt like her heart would explode at that moment and poured all her truths out to him.

Kissing her on the head, he said, “I promise. I was proud of you tonight. Your match was amazing. You and Candy both did great. You’re both going to be the top women on the roster soon. I just know it.”

She smiled, trying to pull herself together. “You think so?”

“I know so. Tonight, come to my room. I want you with me.”

“All right. But —”

“No buts. I’m not asking for sex. I respect the fact you’re a modest woman. I won’t pressure you until I feel you’re ready. I know you think I see you as a whore, but that’s simply not true. I think you’re beautiful and talented. Down in there someplace, is a loving soul. Come back inside. We’ll talk to Davis together about not having women in our locker room. I’ll tell him from this point on, you must approve of everything going forward.”

“I get a say?” Isis wiped her tears.

Gage placed his hands on her shoulders so he could look her in the eyes. “In this, yes. I’m not a total asshole. I understand that makes you uncomfortable. You are part of our team. I respect you as our equal. I haven’t been showing you that much since you started, but I’m going to change all of that. I see how hard you are working, and we are going to give you the push you deserve. You've paid your dues.”