Page 110 of Rumor Has It

“Her name for one,” I spit. “it’s Rumor.”

“Rumor?” He blinks rapidly as if he’s confused. “Could you not think of something more original?”

Rage washes over me as I fist my hands. Luckily for him, a horn blows outside, signaling to us that Rumor is home. “I’m positive that’s Rumor; she spent the night with Maisyn’s girls.”

“Did her husband come with them? I’d like to introduce myself.” Reed straightens his tie, while I dream of using it to choke him.

Mackenzie’s brows knit, forming a little ‘v’ between her eyes as she hurries past me and out the door. I said I’d be nice. I didn’t promise not to punch him.

I lean over, grabbing a shirt from the couch. I slip it over my head, keeping an eye on him at all times. I check the door before turning my ire on him.

“Thorton, I’m warning you now, tread lightly with Rumor.”

“You worried, Hatch? Maybe a little nervous Mackenzie will leave you again?” He sneers at me.

“I don’t need to know what you tell yourself at night to help you sleep. All I want is for you to think before you jerk a little girl around.”

“Well then, let me be clear. I want her mom, and they’re a package deal. I guess I’ll just have to take both, but I’ll do whatever it takes to have Mackenzie.”

“She’ll see through you, and I’ll walk through you,” I say with a guttural growl.

“Maybe, but not before I’ve fucked you over and destroyed you both.” His head snaps to the door, and he plasters on a fake smile. He needs to while he still has his teeth to do it.

Rumor pauses at the door, and her eyes bounce from me to Reed. Mackenzie’s hand lays on her back, nudging her forward. “Go ahead, you can go in.”

“Hey, Boo. Did ya have a good time last night?” Rumor eases over to me, grasping my hand. Mackenzie’s gaze locks with mine, and we both know everything is about to change.

Rumor tugs on my hand, drawing my attention. She curls her finger, cutting her eyes at Reed. I lean in, listening closely as she whispers to me. “Is that him?”

“Rumor, I’d like to introduce you to Reed. He’s a friend of your momma’s and mine from school.” She chews her nail, just like her mom, and my chest feels heavy. Mackenzie’s leaning against the door, her trembling hand covering her mouth and holding in her heartbreak.

Reed watches as she clings to me, nibbling on her finger. He holds out his hand, giving his best fake smile, as if a child can’t read people better than anyone else.

“It’s good to meet you.” Rumor looks from me to his hand. I place mine on her back to comfort her, but she still doesn’t buy it. “That’s a nasty little habit you have there, young lady.”

I glare at him, shaking my head infinitesimally. I reach over, taking her finger from her mouth. Rumor’s old enough to do it, but my gut tells me it’s a defense mechanism, like her mom’s.

“You should shake his hand; it’s polite.” I gently coax her. She side-eyes me as if to say, ‘you do it. I’d rather not’. But as only she and her mother can do, she surprises me and reaches for his hand.

“Hello, Reed,” she mutters as he takes her hand.

A chill runs over me, raising the hair on my neck. The entire thing plays in slow motion as if I’m not even here. My gut churns with visions of them as a family, and I’m nowhere to be found.

I know this was the plan, to bring us together and find out who her father is, but faced with losing them again, I’d rather die. I’ll never be able to live without them again. They’ve changed me. No, that’s not right.

Mackenzie and Rumor have completed me.

They are my life.