Page 56 of Rumor Has It

“Rumor, come help me.” I glance at Ridge, standing at the door now. “It’s good to see you, Boone.”

I nod, turning back to Mackenzie. “You’re here?” The words come out harsh and cold, nothing like I wanted them to, but at least they’re honest.

“We are.” She moves closer, her voice no more than a whisper. “We haven’t been back long.”

I shake my head, disbelief flooding my mind with all the other noise. “Am I last person to know?”

“No!” she counters. “I had no idea you’d be here.”

“Oh, so that’s why you came home.” Blind fury ripples over me, hurt spilling out of every pore. “Because you thought I wouldn’t be here.”

Tears streak her face. She fights them away with the back of her hands, just like she always has. “Boone … please.”

“NO!” I yell, not at her, but the hurt etched on her face is so apparent, I can’t bear it. For the longest time, I thought I was the only one so decimated by all of this, but one look into her eyes and I know for fact that isn’t true. “What the fuck, Kenzie? I can’t with you right now.”

I turn to the door, racing away from her as fast as possible. How could’ve she stayed gone for so long, if she’s still as wrecked as I am. In my heart, I see it written all over her, but my mind screams for vengeance.

Her hand is on me before I can get far enough, bringing me up short with her plea. “I came here for her; please believe me.”

I jerk my arm free, spinning on her. “Why now?” Pinning her with my ire.

“She deserves a family”—her eyes dart away—“and to not pay for my mistakes.”

The pain radiating throughout my body crushes me under its weight, and my heart slows to a dull thud. “Why not? I have.”

“Boone, I-I’m so…” Her words fall short. There’s nothing she can say to make me feel any less than she already has.

I throw my hand in the air, stopping her. “Don’t you fucking dare tell me how sorry you are for robbing me of all these years. I don’t fucking believe you!”

“You’re not the only one who’s paid for my actions. Don’t be like me, you’re better than that, Boone.” Mackenzie’s face falls as soon as she utters the words, knowing I would immediately go where I shouldn’t.

Anger, so palpable, riddles my body, jolting me into motion. Before I can catch myself, I spin, crashing through the door and running as fast as I can from her. Then, as quick as I made my getaway, she chases after me.

“Boone!” she calls to me, just as she does in my dreams. “Boone, stop!”

I jerk my door open and jump into my seat, hurrying to get away from her. To leave all of this behind, like I did ten years ago. That day, the one I’ve paid for all these years, still rocks me to my core.

I’ve hated myself every day for leaving them. For listening to her, when I knew all she wanted was for me to hold her and take care of everything, the way I always did. Doing what I should have for her, for both of them.

Here I am, walking away from her again.