Page 166 of Reckless Hearts
His voice is confident, smooth and melodious.
“Thank you to the Academy for believing in this story, for recognizing that sometimes the quietest moments can speak the loudest.
“To our incredible director, Susanne Marsden, for her vision and patience. To my fellow cast members, your talent and dedication inspired me daily. This award belongs to all of us.”
His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows, looking down at the statue. His fingers tighten around the Oscar, turning his knuckles white.
When he looks up and starts to speak, his voice is quieter and seems stripped of all veneer. “I want to dedicate this award to the person who taught me what love is.” He pauses for a second, uncertainty flickering over his face before he continues.
“I started to fall in love when I was twenty-one. And it came from a place of wrong, but it turned into the most right thing I could ever hope for. The person I love… I don’t think he knows how much he saved me over the years…” Marcus takes a deep, shuddering breath, then looks straight into the camera. “I don’t want to break my promise. But I want you to know that the only reason I’m standing here right now is because of you. And I’m standing here, holding this”—he tilts his Oscar, the movement jerky—“and it turns out it doesn’t compare to holding you. It turns out nothing else matters besides you.”
My fingers tighten around my phone.
On stage, Marcus’s free hand grips the podium as if he needs it to keep himself upright.
“And I know I’m probably too late. I’m sure you’ve moved on, but I just want you to know that…” Marcus’s voice cracks, and he clears his throat. He blinks rapidly, his lashes glistening under the harsh stage lights.
“I will happily walk away from this, from everything, if it means I get you.”
Oh holy hell.
My breath comes in rapid pants.
Below the YouTube clip is a stream of comments. My eyes are blurry, but I manage to register some of them.
Oh my god, that’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen.
I wonder who the guy he’s talking about is?
I’m fairly sure the whole world is wondering that right now.
40
Marcus
So, it turns out the best way to get paparazzi to stake out your house is to use your Oscar speech to make a heartfelt declaration to the man you love.
My driveway has become ground zero for a media circus. Vans emblazoned with network logos line the street, their satellite dishes like metal sunflowers. Reporters in blazers stand before cameras, gesticulating wildly as they speculate about my love life to an unseen audience.
“They’ll give up eventually,” Erica says.
I know she’s trying to be reassuring, but I can’t help feeling that when the paparazzi give up, then everything, the story of Seb and me, will be over. And I don’t want that.
What am I waiting for? Has Seb seen the clip yet? Is he going to contact me?
I scrape my hand across my jaw.
Is that why I did it? In the moment on the stage, it seemed the most honest and authentic thing I could say. To let Seb know exactly how I was feeling, to share my realization that I would pick him above anyone or anything else.
But now, in hindsight, I can’t help second-guessing myself.
Did he see it as manipulative? As a sneaky way for me to get around my promise not to contact him?
He hasn’t called or messaged me. Surely, surely, he would have seen the clip by now? When I turn on the TV, it seems like every network is replaying it. In a world where there is war, famine, and climate disasters, it appears my love life has stolen the spotlight.
Maybe the world just wants some positive news for once.
Not that my love life has a guaranteed happy ending.
