Page 139 of Whenever You Call

Almost a year had passed since Cole’s death, and now the entire planet knew about my relationship with Logan…

And theyhatedus for it.

Unbeknown to me, while I’d been in the hospital waiting for Logan to wake up, pictures and videos of me screaming at his ambulance had been leaked everywhere, and everyone on the Internet had an opinion about it; most of them negative, especially when they found out that Logan had been the one to attend Cole’s overdose that fateful night, twelve months ago.

We’d been accused of the most heinous acts, including us conspiring to make sure Cole never recovered from his overdose before it had even happened. Liked we’d known each other all along and had fallen in love behind Cole’s back, only to think of ways to get rid of him.

I’d been called every name a woman could be called, and not once, in any of those stories, had Cole been to blame. Even Logan got the better end of it, with the female population swooning over his face and body every chance they got while telling me I didn’t deserve his love. But the best thing about it?

I couldn’t have cared less.

Since almost losing Logan, the thoughts of others were merely that: their thoughts. Their opinions. The moment we walked out of that hospital, hand in hand, weeks after his accident, with Bella leading the way in front of us, I vowed to only ever think about what made the three of ushappy now.

Although we never had the discussion about moving in together, Logan came home with Bella and me once he was discharged, and he just never chose to go home again. Occasionally, he’d make the effort to visit his condo and check his mail, but not without me tagging along. We’d spend the night wrapped up in his sheets, remembering the first time we made love, going out of our way to recreate it every time.

We always did, only better, which seemed impossible until we made it happen.

And now, with Logan beside me, looking stronger and smarter than ever in a black fitted suit, a white shirt, and a black tie, I was about to push my newfound strength to its limits.

“Are you sure you want to do this,” he asked, brushing his knuckles along my cheek.

I stared up at him, wondering how you could love someone so much without breaking something vital inside yourself.

“I’m ready,” I said, holding the cue cards I’d written in my hands.

The chatter of the crowd beyond those thick red curtains made my knees tremble, and the thought of facing people—friends, acquaintances, and strangers alike—made my stomach somersault until I was sure I was going to vomit. But I wouldn’t let any of that beat me.

Logan leaned down to kiss me, and when he pulled back, he trailed his thumb over my bottom lip before he tucked my hair behind my ear. “I’ll be sitting in the front row with Bella. If you feel lost, look for me. I’ll be right there.”

“I love you.”

He smirked. “I love you more, Moore.”

I didn’t argue when he turned to leave, pushing through the curtains to go to Bella, who was sitting next to Livia in the front row of a packed-out room filled with everyone Cole had ever known and loved…

Including Malia, the model, who had given birth to Cole’s son months earlier. And even though we’d had nothing to do with either of them, they were there tonight at my insistence. If I had nothing left to hide, neither should Malia. Yes, she’d done me wrong, and she’d continued to do it for months after Logan’s accident, using my name to get herself in the headlines any chance she got, but by telling the organizers of the event to stop her from being here, I’d have given her more power, and no one deserved that from me anymore. Especially not her. I refused to be a pawn in anyone’s games going forward.

A stage director quietly pulled me from my thoughts—her hand landing on my shoulder.

“You’re up,” she said, holding eye contact. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

“Too late for me to back out now.” I smiled, trying to push down all my nerves when she gave me a smile and walked away.

“You’d better appreciate it, Cole Newman,” I whispered to him. “I’m only going to do this once. You know how much I hate an audience.”

Taking a deep breath, I stepped out onto the stage of The Beverly Hilton’s famous ceremony room with a mix of wild applause from those who knew and loved me, as well as hushed whispers and judgment from those who only knew my supposed story.

The bright lights above the stage shone down on my skin, the heat intense, but I kept my stride confident, feeling Logan’s gaze guiding me on.

By the time I reached the podium, placing my cue cards on the stand, I dared myself to look up and see what my late husband had seen so many times in his life while on stage performing, but all that stared back at me was a sea of black shapes and bright lights.

Except for that front row.

Logan and Livia sat with Bella wedged between them. Her eyes were wide, and her smile alive, and when my eyes drifted to Logan, my stomach tightened with want and desire. But it was his raised brows and his nod of encouragement that had me looking back down at my cards.

I love him, but tonight is about Cole. The man I once loved and lost. It’s time for me to leave my hate behind and remember who he was. It’s time to tell the whole story, the ugly truth, and move on.

I was aware of the pictures of Cole on the big screen behind me changing every few seconds, showing the audience the variations of his laugh and smile. I felt the band’s stares upon me from the other side of the stage, too, each of them no doubt desperate to know what I had to say.

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