Malibu Betrayals Read Online Free Page A

knew it. The news, the papers, never mind the tabloids, interviews from friends and family, every single one confirming his recklessness. His help would have only made things worse. As it was now, associating with him, even professionally, was going to make the paparazzi salivate.
    “I couldn’t take your help, especially after blaming you. And I can’t risk any of that being stirred up again.” She took a step back and shook her head.
    He cut his hand through the air. “You think you were the only one hurt in this? You don’t think I don’t know what the news said? The papers? All lies. I was sober that night, heading home from Pepperdine’s Smothers Theatre.” His voice dropped. “Ethan and I were in two left turning lanes; I was on the right. When the light turned green, we both took the turn but he’d accelerated faster. The paparazzi sped out to cut me off, but must not have seen him. Their car hit his, broadside, and sandwiched him between them and a power line pole.”
    “Please.” She pressed the heel of her palms to her eyes.
    “I’m sorry, Sam. I have to. I know it’s hard to hear, but imagine having it shoved in your face every day. The only place anyone heard the truth was the local news, but who listens to that anymore?” His hands fisted at his sides.
    She stared. She’d been through so much, and it had been unbearable to have the man who’d brought her to her senses about her relationship be involved with the accident that kept her tied to it. She’d reacted so badly. “I’m so sorry for everything I’d said.”
    He held her gaze.
    Shame urged her to look away, but she pulled in a breath and reached out her hand. “I am so sorry. The things I’d said are unforgivable, but—”
    “I forgave you the moment you said them.” He slid his large fingers up the length of hers and gently gripped her palm.
    She dropped her eyes to the ground.
    He released her hand and then slid his warm fingers under her chin with gentle pressure, lifting her gaze.
    Swallowing hard, she studied him.
    The years had been good to him in many ways. He’d filled out, thicker, broader, his face more chiseled, his eyes more piercing. Age agreed with him, but also made his emotions that much more visible. His mouth, pressed into a thin line, only softened into a frown, the lines next to his eyes deepened as he narrowed his gaze. There was a reason Hollywood had kept him at the top, waiting for him to find his way back. He had an undeniable presence. One of the very reasons she’d made the decision she had back then.
    He was probably the same bad boy Hollywood had always known, but she could admit when she’d been wrong. She’d hurt him the night they’d met by walking away. She’d hurt him after Ethan’s accident by blaming him, and once again by avoiding him and his attempts to help her after Ethan committed suicide. Wow. She was on a roll.
    “I’m sorry.”
    He stared at her, and his shoulders slowly lowered. He pulled in a breath with a brief nod. “You already apologized.”
    Relief that he really was accepting her apology was swift.
    With a jerk of his chin, he asked, “What do you remember most about the night we met?”
    “What do you mean?”
    Cracking his neck, he pinned her with a direct look. “I’ve never forgotten you, forgotten that night. I shared things with you I’ve never told anyone else.”
    He couldn’t be serious. The idea he’d ever pined for her was ridiculous.
    Sam closed her eyes.
    He’d thought of her, beyond the accident, even after she blamed him. She shouldn’t feel a rush of warmth spread through her, but there it was. Was he serious, or was this simply Gage Cutler, an actor with an agenda? Though, she couldn’t for the life of her imagine what that could be. She didn’t have anything he’d want.
    She opened her eyes to find Gage studying her. “I remember, too.” She remembered for the first time in a very long time feeling relevant, listened to, noticed. She