Page 104 of Rumor Has It

He holds his cell up. “I’ll text you.”

“Yep, sounds good!” I throw my hand over my head, rushing out the door. I hurry around the corner and into Maisyn’s waiting car. I’m also faced with her inquisitive brow.

“Holy hell, girl. You dodged that prickly cactus!”

I slump in her seat as she pulls out of the parking lot. “Thank you for coming with me and for saving my neck.”

“I thought for sure his slimy lips had made contact.” She giggles as I shake my head.

“Tell me about it.” I rub my temples. “My head is killing me.”

She winces with me. “He was a real jerk. I thought for sure you were gonna jump across the table on him.”

“I’m happy you thought about keeping my phone on. I had no idea how I was going to have a witness. I also had never thought about the fact the call ends when one of us hangs up. Good thinking!” I hold my fist out for her to bump it.

“All in a day’s work, my dear. Now, you’re on your own to explain all of this to Boone.” Her eyes grow round as saucers. “I can’t believe he said he still loves you, like he ever did to begin with.”

“The boy doesn’t have the truth in him, but it’s not enough to keep him from Rumor if he’s her dad.” A sixth sense comes over me when my scalp starts to prickle. “He didn’t even ask her name; it was Boone’s first question.”

Maisyn reaches over, taking my hand in hers. “I don’t think there was ever a doubt who the better man is, Mackenzie.”

“I’m so scared my happiness is about to run out. Especially if he’s Rumor’s dad and I have to allow them to have a relationship.” I stop a stray tear in its tracks.

She glances at me. “Have you considered what that might entail?”

“Yes.” I sigh as a shiver runs up my back. “I’ll have to go with her until she can go on her own. Rumor’s gonna be terrified, and Boone will be devasted.”

“And you? What will this do to you?” She tightens her grip on me.

The tears fall faster than I can rid myself of them. “I can’t think about that, Maisyn, not now anyway. Rumor comes first. I messed all of this up before, and I can’t do it ever again. So, I’ll swallow whatever dose of medicine reality hands me.”

***

“Hey, what’s that look for?” Ridge nudges me to get my attention.

My frown deepens. “What look?”

“The one that says you’re freaked out or constipated, you choose?” He cocks his head, waiting on my answer. I bite the skin from my thumbnail, spitting it out. “That’s becoming.”

“Forget you, Ridge.” I flip him off, snarling. “I’m not in the mood.”

He tosses a rag in my face, earning him a glare. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

“Nothing. Everything.” I hesitate. “Boone. Reed.”

His eyes grow round. “I see. Boone doesn’t know you met Reed to discuss your future or the lack thereof, does he?”

“Actually, I do know because Reed told me.” Boone’s voice is low, striking fear in my heart and mind. My knees begin to knock. I’m not afraid of him; I’m in fear for us.

I lick my lips, sending up a silent prayer this goes better than I’d hoped. “I see he’s still a dick. I’m sorry, I planned on talking to you about it.”

“Yeah, I suppose that was after you had a chance to talk to him.” He crosses his arms. He’s mad, and I can’t say I blame him.

I jerk my hat off my head, running my fingers through my hair. “It was coffee. I didn’t even have any.”

“You’ve already been with him?” His face goes pale, as I blanch at his choice of words.

“Been with him? No, we sat among other people and had coffee.” I dab at the sweat forming on my upper lip.