I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that one.
“My husband and I are thrilled to announce the winner of Best New Actor with you all tonight,” Olive says over the crowd, gushing as she threads her fingers through his, the microphone remaining in her other hand.
Avery, a man of many words, clears his throat. “Here is the list of nominees.”
The screen flashes with pictures of every new actor on the block. A picture of Cole is last to be shown, with Mara in the background, too, but the camera is focused on the man who captivated the nation.
Captivatedme.
Ever since Jude called‘cut’for the last time, and we had the wrap party on set, Mara Scott has taken a step back from the spotlight. Almost completely M.I.A, aside from the occasional check in on social media, saying how much she’s enjoying some wellness retreat she was forced to go on.
I hope she comes out of it as a better person, but I won’t hold my breath.
“And the winner is…” Olive trails off, the crowd waits in anticipation, while Lizzie, Cassandra, Harley, Tahnee, Robbie and Tate all await the verdict. Cole’s clammy hands squeeze my thigh.
My mom is noticeably missing, but I don’tmissher.
If I’ve learned anything over the last twelve months, it’s that just because she’s my mother, it doesn’t give her a free pass.
It doesn’t excuse all her wrongdoings. Stroke or not.
Mom is a word.
A title.
Aprivilege.
All things the both of us have accepted that she doesn’t deserve.
She’s on the mend—thankfully—but we don’t have a relationship.
“Hurry up, Olive,” I whisper under my breath, feeling my boyfriend’s legs bounce erratically beside mine.
“Cole Green!”
Our entire table, along with the hundred other people in the room, cheer and scream his name, but it’s all drowned out by applause.
Camera’s hone in on the two of us. He grips my face, no doubt taking off some of my makeup on his hands, and plants a kiss on my lips.
“Come up with me,” he tells me, the adrenaline visible on his face.
“No way, Mr. Big. This is your time.” I shoo him away, clapping my hands to join in with the rest of the crowd, watching my man accept an award he was born for.
“Thank you,” he says with a pause, letting himself enjoy the moment. I doubt he can see a lot while the spotlights shine on his face, but he doesn’t seem to mind. “One year ago, I walked into this room a nobody. I was broke, living in a dingy apartment above the Lotus bar across town, wearing clothes that permanently smelt like alcohol and cigarettes. I left the building still a nobody, but a nobody who had just unknowingly met the woman I would marry. I haven’t married heryet,but I will.” The crowd chuckles, and my entire face turns beet red, my thighs clenching together.
Cassandra winks at me, and I shake my head with a smile, mouthingstop itto her.
He continues to thank everyone he worked with on the film,—Mara included—and his brother for helping him get to where he is and where he’s continuing to go. “Thank you to the academy for giving me this immense opportunity, and Ol, and AJ for calling out my name.” He smiles with a nod, raising his metallic blue trophy into the air, and makes his way backstage.
“Are you guys secretly engaged and we don’t know about it?” Cassandra asks as she and Lizzie bombard me on my side of the table.
I shake my head. “Not that I know of. We never even spoke about it,” I say with a shrug. “There’s no rush. I’m happy just living this life with him.” It’s true.
I have no sense of urgency to have a ring around my finger or a baby in my belly.
I’m still getting my head around this new life that we live, and I’m happy to figure it all out one day at a time.
“OK, but can we please take a moment to talk about howstunningmy twin sister looked?” Lizzie asks, fanning her face. “Marriage looks good on her.” She wiggles her brows.
