Page 88 of Pity Pact
“Trina asked me to be on the show because an original cast member named Decker broke both of his legs skiing.”
“Uh, no. I was told I was on the show, but then they called me at the last minute and said their first choice had become available. They offered me this mid-season placement instead.”
Paige, Cami, and I stare at him like he just announced he’d come from a far-off galaxy to claim Earth for his own kind. I finally manage, “It looks like we’ve both been lied to.”
Decker shrugs. “Guess so.” Then he smiles at Cami and Paige. “How are you two ladies doing tonight?”
While he tries to schmooze them, I excuse myself to find Trina. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I’m being used, and I’m going to find out why.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
PAIGE
I couldn’t wait to see Tim after our beer and dart date last night. I thought things with Cami might be weird, but she doesn’t appear to see me as any competition at all. I guess Tim’s right, and she assumes we’re just friends. That makes me feel horrible, and I vow to somehow make things right. I never want her to feel like she’s being duped.
But in the meantime, it looks like things are getting interesting onMidwestern Matchmaker. Ever since Tim stormed off, Cami and I have been talking to this new guy.
“So,” Decker says, “which one of you ladies has yet to find her match?”
Before we can answer, Fielden comes over and puts his arm around me. “Hey babe, I’ve missed you.” First of all, I hate being called “babe.” Additionally, he’s staring right at Decker, not at me.
Full of irritation, I ask him, “Are you and Decker an item?”
Looking down at me with a startled expression on his face, he says, “What? No. I was talking to you.”
“Then you shouldlook at me.”
“Sorry, babe. I just didn’t like seeing this new guy trying to pick up my girl.”
Gross.“I’m not your girl,” I tell Fielden. I would never have applied to be on this show had I known they were going to resort to the below board tactics.
He looks surprised. “Sure you are. We’ve been on one date and are planning to go on another.”
“Yes, we went on one date, which was enough for me to know we aren’t a match.”
I initially feel bad for being brusque, but Fielden bounces back so quickly, I want to punch him. He shrugs and says, “That’s fine. I’ve got my eye on one of the new girls.” Then he hightails it off in hot pursuit of her.
“I thought you and Fielden were a thing,” Cami says.
“It was the most awkward date I’ve ever been on in my life,” I tell her honestly.
Cami seems genuinely confused and appears to be on the verge of saying something to me, but Decker interrupts her.
He sidles closer to me. “Looks like you and I were meant to be.”
I stare up at his gorgeously chiseled face and dark wavy hair. Instead of disabusing him of that notion, I ask, “What do you do for a living, Decker?”
“I’m a model and actor.” Why am I not surprised? He smiles and flashes the whitest teeth I’ve ever seen. Seriously, they probably glow in the dark.
“I bet you’re hoping to jump start your career by being on this show,” I tell him.
His face curls up into a sneer. “Jump start? Hardly. I’m already in every Sunday circular in the newspaper.”
I don’t know how to tell him that nobody under sixty even reads a real newspaper anymore, so I ask, “What was your last acting job?”
“I was the guy running in the park in that tampon commercial,” he says proudly.
“Trust me, Decker,” I tell him. “I’m not your type.”