Page 112 of Rumor Has It

“And to think, I saved you seats with us.” Chord glances at us while everyone laughs.

“Are you saying we can’t sit with you? So ‘ugly girl chic’.” I cackle as Boone pulls my chair out for me.

Riley puts his arm around Ava. “Check us out. We were the guys no one wanted in high school, but now look who has the hottest ladies in town.”

“I tend to pinch myself. It all feels so surreal.” Sarah snuggles next to Chord.

A small ache ripples through me, when I think about what they’ve been through. Yet, here I sit in the company of the finest people around. Knowing I’m the one who hurt us. Boone didn’t deserve what I put him though back then, now here I am, asking him to put his life on pause for me to work out where I went wrong.

Mistakes have not only tormented us, but continue to haunt us. Movement in the front of the room commands the attention at our table. I clutch Boone’s arm, clinging to him.

Reed approaches us, even as our friends leer his dissent. Chord and Riley stiffen in their seats, while Sarah and Ava exchange glances before turning their empathy toward me.

I muster the strength for a weak smile. Don’t get me wrong, this is what I thought I wanted. It’s what Rumor deserves, to know her father. I’m simply not sure Boone deserves it.

“You’ve got to be fuckin’ kidding me,” Riley growls.

Boone’s jaw clicks. “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the human form of the clap.”

“Shall we?” Chord begins a slow clap with Sarah joining. Riley laughs boisterously, and Ava giggles as she smashes her hands together. By the time he stops in front of us, I’m in tears, cackling with our best friends.

Boone glowers at him. “Thorton.”

“The troops have assembled, I see.” Reed snubs his nose at everyone, directing his words to me. “Later, I’d like to dance.”

“Feel free.” I suggest with a smirk.

Reed saunters around the table, standing behind me. He angles himself to my side, speaking in my ear. “I think it’s in the best interest of the girl, our daughter if I may, to play nice.”

“Funny, I didn’t realize you understood the concept,” I reply, brooding.

He presses his lips to my ear, grumbling, “I do, actually. Along with family law.”

“Fair enough.” I squeeze Boone’s hand so tightly my nail breaks. He doesn’t flinch; he stays by my side as he promised.

Reed taps the back of my chair. “I’ll be back.”

“I’ll be here, always.” Boone shoots daggers at him, seconding my exact thoughts.

The table is quiet as Reed strolls away, all up in his smugness. I truly didn’t expect to loathe him after all of the years, but I suppose he makes it easy. What I should’ve anticipated was the fact he’d hold the test over me, and I’d be indebted.

“Will I ever stop making so many damn mistakes?” I slump into my seat, praying I could disappear.

Boone tilts his head, jostling my hand. “Hey, Kenzie. I need you to hear me. I don’t care what you’ve done, I love you. If I have to drag you back to where we are every day, I’ll wrap that gorgeous blonde mane in my hand and do it.”

“I noticed that about you.” I snicker.

“Our mistakes do not define us. It’s what we do after that shows who we are.” He gazes into my eyes, tugging at my heart to return to him.

I half shrug. “I keep hurting you, and now I can’t help but to think I’ve made everything worse for Rumor.”

“I love you, so much so, that even when you hurt me, I tried to understand why you had to do it. Even when I couldn’t wrap my head around it, there wasn’t one person in this world that I wanted more than I want you.” He takes my mouth and shows me how much he believes in us. I relish in the moment, where only he and I exist.

I pull away, caressing his face. “Without a doubt, you’re my once in a lifetime.”

“I take great pleasure in interrupting you. It’s satisfying,” Reed exclaims and is met with groans.

“What now?” Boone barks at him, baring his teeth.