Page 16 of Rumor Has It

“I don’t! He’s everything to me. We spend every waking minute together, and I’m afraid once I say how I feel about him and it’s out there, someone will tear it down.” I twirl my hair around my finger, hating I can’t tell him that I feel as though I’m not enough for him and never will be.

She takes my hand, squeezing it. “You can’t spend the rest of your life regretting not doing what you know you should.”

“These people, the exact same ones with us in their sights, have ruined things for me for years. I can’t chance this, I can’t go and risk Boone getting hurt in the fallout.”

“Boone can handle whatever comes his way, there’s worse things than being the talk of the town.” She shrugs.

“Until you’re the tale going around.” I shake my head as my stomach fills with dread.

My lip curls up knowing she’s telling it like it is, but I refuse to let her know she’s right. I reach over and crank the radio. I need silence and a little peace before I walk into the thunder dome of yappers.

Driving as fast as I can, I pull into the first place I spot. The bell begins to ring as we jump from the truck and grab our bags. To my surprise, Boone is standing at the doors waiting on me with his perfect, boyish grin.

“He’s sprung.” Maisyn bumps into my shoulder.

I release a held breath, and it escapes between my bottom lip and my teeth. There’s a lightness in my chest as my pulse begins to race. Once I’m close enough to gaze into his dark brown eyes, my breath hitches.

“And he’s not the only one.” Maisyn grins at me. “Please, tell the boy.”

I can’t control my face as my smile takes it over. “I am, today before anything else can happen.”

“You know what?” Boone’s gravely, I’ve just woke up, voice demands my attention.

Cutting my eyes to Maisyn, I silently beg for her to save me. She does, as only Maisyn can. “That I’m a bomb-ass cousin!”

“I can attest.” He winks at her as she waltzes past him and into the building.

“The only test here is the one on my nerves from riding with her every day.” I curl my lip with the roll of my eyes.

“So I see.” He snickers.

“Why are you talking like a grown-up?”

He half shrugs. “I didn’t know I was.”

“Now we’re late, Mr. Hatcher.” I drag my feet toward the building as the echo of the tardy bell sounds. “C’mon.”

“After you.” He grabs the door, holding it open as I step past him.

“Thank you.” I turn as the door closes behind him. “We need to talk. Apparently you were the topic of multiple conversations this weekend.”

“I was with you, and I don’t care about idol gossip.” He peeks around the corner to check the hallway. “Are you upset about it?”

“It was about prom, and who you’re taking.” I jab his stomach as we walk into the hall. “Even held captive, you had a busy weekend.”

“For the record, I was with a gorgeous blonde.” He whispers in my ear, as I stop at my locker.

“Good to know, now, scurry along. I’ll be right behind you, dear.” I wink, when he shakes head at me.

I watch as he turns the corner to the stairwell before I grab my book. Boone and I have been in the same classes together since middle school, and we’ll graduate with matching GPAs.

“Hey, there.” I jump when I hear a deep voice behind me. “I’m getting good at scaring you, Mackenzie.”

“Hello, Reed.” I catch a glimpse of him as I shut my locker and turn toward the stairs. “Goodbye, Reed.”

He reaches for me, tugging on my arm. “Hold up. I’ll walk you to class since Hatcher is too embarrassed.”

“Why would he be embarrassed? We’re friends, whether you people like it or not.”