Page 129 of If the World Was Ending

Everyone laughed.

Hunter’s smile faltered. “And then I got caught in an earthquake at a grocery store and for a second I thought I’d never get a chance to stand here. No matter how much I dreamed of it or wanted it. But that earthquake didn’t kill me. It made me stronger. Because it brought a really talented musician into my life. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have Colby Keaton. I would have given up. Got a safe desk job. Made my mom happy.”

More laughter.

Hunter sniffed and looked up. “I did it, Ma. Rest easy.”

Colby pressed a hand to his chest to hold in a sob. Hunter cleared his throat and took another breath. “Thank you to my agent Margo Norton, my friends, my dad. Andi, our awesome director, for believing I could be more than just a superhero. Thank you to the rest of the cast and my fellow nominees, who inspire me with their work. Thanks to everyone who believed in me. But especially my boyfriend. And yeah, I’m the first Best Actor winner to say that on stage. I’m aware. It’s about damn time, isn’t it?”

Whistles. Cheers. Laughter.

His eyes found Colby in the crowd. “Colby, thank you for always loving me the way I love you. Even when everyone told us to stop. Even when we told ourselves to stop. Thank you. I love you.”

Hunter turned and left the stage, and Colby’s smile felt like it might never go away.

Hunter had no idea the endless rounds of press he’d have to endure before he could get back to his seat. The trophy felt heavy and awkward in his hand. He was uncomfortably warm, and his feet were starting to hurt, and all he wanted more than anything in the world was to be with Colby again. That didn’t happen until the last award was being announced. Hunter slid back into his seat just as they came back from the commercial break to present the Best Picture Oscar. They didn’t speak. They just stared at each other until their vision blurred with tears, and they both blinked them away.

When the show was over, Hunter was being swamped by well-wishers. They had to get to the hotel room that Briar and Knightley had rented so they could change into more relaxed outfits for the after-parties. They held hands the whole time as they made their way from the theater to the waiting car. It took longer than they’d expected, and when they were finally alone, in the elevator at the Roosevelt Hotel, Hunter turned to Colby. Colby wrapped his arms around Hunter’s neck and kissed him. Hunter kissed him back like his life depended on it, because it did.

He’d risked everything he’d ever dreamed of for Colby and won. Not because he had an Oscar. Not because his dream of being a working, thriving, respected actor had come true. Because he had Colby’s heart. And Colby had his. Forever.

That was the real dream, and the only thing that mattered.