“Oh really? Have you ever heard of Jennifer Remington or Amelia Sheffield? What about Carmen Fuentes or Alex Brickhouse?”
“No, of course not.” I had heard of two of them but no way was I telling her.
She laughed at me and I felt my face redden. “I do. I know all about them. He’s screwed them all and most of them right there in his office. When he can’t get lucky with a patient, he goes to Executive Massage or a few other places for a quick piece of ass. You know, I don’t mind telling you, that it has been very difficult working with him. He’s not the kind of guy that likes being told no. Imagine how angry he was today when I turned him down. He said that you weren’t enough for him, with those small tits and your prudish ways.” She said in an embarrassed whisper, “You know, he wanted me to bend over right in the nurses’ station but of course, I refused him. I told him if he tried to mess with me again, I would tell you about it. I guess he didn’t believe me.”
“You know what I think, Page. I think you want Bullet for yourself but he won’t give you the time of day. I think you have a huge crush on him and I think if you could find a way, you would say whatever you had to if you could keep us apart.”
She laughed again and then said in smooth, low voice. “Has he ever said, ‘I love you?’?”
“That’s none of your business!”
“Then he hasn’t and he won’t. Bullet isn’t the kind of guy that falls in love with any girl.”
“Why are you doing this?” I felt a hot tear slide down my face.
“I just wanted you to know. I felt like you deserved to.”
“I bet you did. I won’t thank you for calling me and just so you know, I’m blocking your number. Don’t call me again.” I hung up and stared at Kate.
She said, “What are the odds that you and I would get screwed so royally at the same time?” She shoved the tissue box my way but no more tears fell. Instead, I was angry—angry that Page had called me to tell me her version of the facts, angry that Bullet probably considered me just another piece of ass.
How could I have been so stupid?
Chapter Eight
Bullet
Page never called back but I knew her well enough to know that she might actually call Lilly. My attorney advised me that I needed to avoid contact with Page— don’t call her and don’t take her calls. Still, I had the sneaking suspicion that I had not heard the last from her.
I went back to the hotel room, hoping that by some chance, Lilly was still there. She wasn’t but I found her note. It smelled like her perfume.
Dear Bullet, I waited but I decided to go home and change. Call me when you are through. Let’s grab a bite to eat later. – L
Damn! I headed back out the door. The plan was to talk to Lilly, to come clean about everything before Page called her. If I had my choice, of course, I would never tell her anything about my past ways. I had turned over a new leaf, right? But this was out of my control. The only way I could get ahead of it was to be upfront and honest. I would bare my soul and let the chips fall where they may. She has to know that it was her that changed me. I am not that guy anymore. I liked her, I might even love her. Of course, I am not ready to tell her that yet but if I have to, I will.
I zipped onto the highway and was standing on Lilly’s porch in less than fifteen minutes. Her car was here so I knew that she was home. I knocked, “Lilly!” No answer. “Hey, Lilly, it’s me Bullet.”
“Go away. I don’t want to talk to you,” said the voice from the opposite side of the metal door—it was Lilly. “Nobody here wants to talk to you!” I wasn’t sure who that was but I guessed that it was probably Kate, there to comfort her friend. I ran my hands through my hair, frustrated.
“I understand that but I need to talk you. Can I at least tell you my side of what happened? I am sure Page didn’t tell you the truth. She’s crazy, Lilly. The whole sick patient thing, it was a set up. There was never a patient.” I heard nothing. “Please, Lilly, talk to me. Don’t leave me standing out here.”
The door opened a few inches but it wasn’t Lilly, it was Kate. She looked a mess, like she’d been crying too. “Go away. She doesn’t want to see you anymore and she doesn’t want to talk to you. If you don’t go, I am calling the police.” The door closed and I was left standing on the porch with my mouth open. I slowly walked down the steps to my car and sat there thinking what I should do next. What could I do? I reached in my briefcase next to me and grabbed a sheet of paper.
Dear Lilly,
I am sorry that this happened. Page is not playing with a full deck but I do need to come clean with you about some things. I haven’t been an angel but ever since I met you, that’s all changed. I meant it when I told you that you were special. You are and I care about you. I realize that you may want nothing to do with me now and if that’s the case, I understand. But, if you can find it in your heart to forgive me, please call me. I need to talk to you.
I struggled with how to sign the letter but finally I wrote, “Love, Bullet.” Damn, I did love her, didn’t I?
I folded the letter, walked up the stairs and slid it under the door. I didn’t wait for an answer. I was going
home.
I felt like a zombie for the next twenty-four hours. I left the hotel and flew home. I had to get a handle on my business. My attorney had retrieved all my records and books from Page and had them delivered to my house. She’d kept detailed records but there were tons of inappropriate comments penciled in the columns and a sheaf of notes about who I had been seeing and when. I shook my head at her nerve. Page was not to be trusted, that was clear. She had been virtually stalking me for years; that much was apparent. The sad truth was I had no idea until it was too late. What an ass I had been!
I called Dr. Pennington and chatted with him briefly. I didn’t tell him anything about Page but I asked him if he knew of a good replacement for her. He didn’t ask me any questions, thankfully, but as always, he knew more than he let on. He said he’d have his office manager send me a short list of suitable assistants. Although I had not had a chance to talk to Lambert, Dr. Pennington assured me that I was still his first option for a partner. I didn’t want to jump the gun but I pressed him a little. “When do you think you will be making your decision? I am thinking of relinquishing my office space in Kansas City. It’s time for a change.”
“Unofficially, the job is yours, Dr. Steinmann, so I feel confident that you can make those plans without worry. Officially, it will be the end of the week before we can get the paperwork to the attorneys. So it won’t be long. I am glad that you are keen on joining us.” A little more cautiously he added, “I hope you haven’t encountered some kind of problem.”