Page 97 of Rumor Has It

“I think we should talk,” I stutter, sending a shockwave through him as his head snaps up.

“So, you got one too?” He pulls his hand from his jeans, unfolding it with a letter. I reach for it, my eyes darting to his face. His brows are pulled tight, and mine are low. I take it from him and begin to straighten it out.

The second it’s open, the words leap off the paper. A deep-seated dread fills the pit of my stomach, and it heaves. Dropping the envelope, I reach for him. His arms lock around me as if he’s holding on for his life.

I wrap him in mine because we are in the fight of our lives. Rumor bounds through the door, running to us. We part, letting her in. Today proved to us we’re not safe, and the fight has just began.

We walk away, leaving the paper lay in the mud behind us, for now. Boone tightens his grip on my hand and his hold on Rumor. In a matter of weeks we found one another, learned love can last, and that life is fleeting.

Boone holds the door so we can slip under his arm, as if he’s protecting us from the evil of the world. I pause, pressing my lips to his. He may think he’s saving Rumor and me, but I want him to know he already has.

I break our connection, hoping to reassure him and me. “It’s a high school reunion. We can do this.”

“You know he’ll come.” Boone’s eyes flicker to Rumor. “He’ll want her just because I’m here and with you both.”

“He doesn’t have our hearts, Boone.” I kiss him again. “Only you own it. We’ll make it through it.”

He drops his head. “He stole it once before. There’s nothing keeping him from doing it again.”

“Hey…” I step back out the door and tug him with me. “He never possessed my heart, only my mind. I’m not an insecure eighteen-year-old anymore, Boone. I’ve paid for my mistakes, and I’ll not pay that price again.”

“Mark my word, he’s coming for you. Rumor? She’s a bonus, but make no mistake, you’re the prize. He’s coming for you, Mackenzie.” Boone’s body vibrates with anger.

I blanche, shaking my head. “No, Boone. He’s coming for us, all of us.”

“Do you plan on asking him?” Boone averts his eyes. He knows the answer; it’s what we have to do, or we can’t move forward.

“You know I have to. I don’t want to, though.” I chew on my lip, my heart racing in fear of his next question.

He rubs his chin. “Do you have to, or do you want to ask?”

“That’s not fair.” I move away from him. “You know why I came home. I have to know.”

He stares at me, and his lips part, hesitating. “For Rumor, I know. But I can’t help to wonder if he’s what’s best for her. Where’s he been all this time, Mackenzie? What in the hell has he ever done for her?”

“I have something I need to talk to you about, concerning Reed and Rumor. I should’ve already told you, but I never imagined it would come down to it.” I chew on my nail, waiting for him to coax it from me.

I blink, trying to decipher where this is going. “What is it, Kenzie?” My heart begins to pound against my chest.

“He sends her packages every month, and money. Like, lots of cash every few weeks.” I grimace when he pales, hating it came out this way. “Please don’t make me take up for him. That’s not what this is supposed to be about.”

“Wait, what do you mean… Packages?” His face is distorted, twisted up like my gut.

I kick at the dirt, despising myself for telling him this way. “The day after she was born, a package arrived here at the shop, along with some flowers. Since then, once a month or more, a package arrives with gifts and money in them.”

“And you think Thorton’s responsible, not anyone else?” He scrutinizes me as a small pain tweaks in the pit of my stomach.

“Who else would it be, Boone? His parents? Maybe, with all the wagging tongues around here, they might feel guilty. Everyone assumed she was yours until we broke up, and once again the story changed.” I immediately hate myself for saying it.

He narrows his eyes. “Again, the gossip fiends had it wrong.”

“You have no idea how much I hate all of this.” I shift, rubbing my hands together.

He shakes his head. “No, I don’t think you realize how much I hate it.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” I bite my lip to keep from crying.

His hands are on me, pulling me to his chest. “No, I’m sorry. Jealousy is a wicked creature, and I’m only a man.”