Breaking Stars (The Celebrity 2)

Wendy: So you admit to assaulting him, which is what Colin is claiming.

Tatum: No, I admit to punching him. Once. In the jaw.

Wendy: Would you do it again?

Tatum: If he talked like that about Paige, then yes, I would. I don’t understand why y’all always take his side.

Wendy: We don’t take Colin’s side.

Tatum: It sure seems that way.

Wendy: Well, I’m sorry we’ve given you that impression. Colin tends to sp

eak out a lot.

Tatum: That’s because he’s a liar and he’s conniving. He gets pleasure out of throwing innocent people under the bus to save his own skin, and the only way he can do that is if he’s constantly in your face. Colin is the type of guy who only cares about himself, and he doesn’t care who he hurts in the process.

Wendy: Are you referring to Paige or yourself?

Tatum: (Laughs) Colin doesn’t hurt me. But I don’t like him hurting Paige or anyone else with the stories he tells. Especially when he gets caught doing something wrong. He can’t own up to it. Instead, he makes up a story and hides behind it.

Wendy: One of the girls from that original video spoke out earlier today and basically echoed your exact sentiments. But you know what? Let’s move on. How did you meet Paige?

Tatum: She got a flat tire when she was driving through my town. I run the only mechanic shop there, so it was on me to help her.

Wendy: And this was where?

Tatum fidgeted in his seat, the discomfort in his eyes growing, and I wondered what on earth he’d gotten himself into. For me.

Tatum: In Louisiana.

Wendy: And now you’re here in Los Angeles. Why exactly?

Tatum: Well, ma’am, I wanted to set the record straight because how y’all do things out here isn’t how we do them back home. And when a man loves a woman, he defends her honor. He stands up for what’s right, and that’s what I wanted to do here today.

Wendy: So you and Paige are in love?

Tatum: I’m in love with her. I’m not sure how she feels about me at this point.

Wendy: And why do you say that?

Tatum: Because I messed up, Wendy. I’m a man, and I make mistakes. I didn’t handle things well, and that’s why I’m here with you today. I want her to know how sorry I am.

My heart skipped a beat at his very public declaration. Of course, he’d made that very statement to me a few hours ago in the lobby of my apartment building, but this was on national television for the whole country to see and hear. Including everyone back in his hometown.

Wendy: What did you do, exactly? There weren’t other women, were there?

Tatum: No, absolutely not. It’s nothing like that. Let’s just say that when things got difficult, I pushed her away.

Wendy: I’m sure it can’t be easy for someone like you to date a world-famous celebrity. You seem so normal, Tatum.

Tatum: (Laughs) I am. And no, it’s not easy. But Paige is worth it. And that’s where I messed up, Wendy. I let her walk away from me. Things got scary, and I got uncomfortable and I let her go. But I was wrong. Because Paige Lockwood isn’t the kind of girl you push out of your life; she’s the kind of girl you run toward. The kind you fight for and pray like hell she’ll take you back after you’ve been an idiot of epic proportion.

Wendy: Wow. I hope all the guys across the country are taking notes tonight because this is how you do it. That’s one heck of an apology. I hope Paige accepts it.

“Mom, I have to go,” I said as tears streamed down my face.

“Yes, you do. Go accept that boy’s apology. And then bring him over here for dinner!” she shouted after me as I ran to my car.