Page 113 of Rumor Has It

He shoves his hand between us. “Shall we?”

“Dude, what the fuck is your problem?” Riley snarls at Reed, who acts as though he’s unaffected.

He grins. “Doing my part to work out a custody arrangement, or haven’t you heard? Mackenzie and I are proud parents.”

“Shut the fuck up.” Boone springs from his seat, sending it across the floor and Reed several feet back. Chord steps between them, and I’m pretty sure it isn’t to help Boone.

I hold my hands up in surrender. “Okay! Alright, let’s get this over with. And, for the record, we haven’t a clue if you donated the sperm.”

“I think that’s a moot point, darling.” He pins Boone with a glare. “I’m the only man who’s been with you.”

“For fucks sake!” I grip his hand, yanking him toward the dance floor. “Ya know, Boone’s gonna kill you, and no one will hold him accountable.”

“I don’t care, as long as he’s not with you.” Reed comes to a stop, bringing me up short. I lose my balance, falling into him. “Just where I wanted you.”

I wrench away from his. arms. “Hands off. Act like you have some sense, and stop being such an ass.”

“Wow, that mouth has gotten even dirtier.” He quirks his brow.

I avert my eyes, refusing to give him any more ammunition. “Have you decided when you can meet us for the test?”

“I’ve been giving it considerable thought.” He bobs his head until I look at him. “So, you are interested?”

“You know I want to get this taken care of.”

He narrows his eyes. “Why? What’s so important that, after all of these years, you need to find out now?”

“I was wrong to have left in the first place, Reed. I should’ve stayed with Boone and worked things out from there.” I swallow past the knot forming in my throat.

“You didn’t, and there has to be a reason.” He rears his head back, studying me. “Wait just a second. Unless you know who her father is already?”

I look away from him to find Boone as I watch our life crumble before me. “No, that’s not true. I came back to find out for Rumor; it’s her right.”

“I think you want to know as much as anyone else.” He glances at Boone. “Well, maybe not everyone wants to know.”

“Excuse me? Boone has wanted us from the minute he found out I was pregnant.” I fume as anger grows in the pit of my stomach.

Reed’s mouth sets into a thin line. “Is that so? Let’s see what he says when he finds out she’s mine.”

“Maybe she isn’t yours,” I spit with disdain-laced words.

He chuckles. “Sure, it’s a small possibility, but we both know the truth, and Boone’s not going to be happy.”

“He’ll support us, you’ll see.” I grind my jaw, hating every minute of this. I hate to admit it, but he might be right.

“I want to spend time with our daughter without him around tipping the scales. He has a better relationship with her now, and I’m at a disadvantage.” He hesitates. “I swear to you, I’ll stop messing with Hatcher’s head.”

“You’d do that for her?” I ask warily, though my stomach pitches.

He smiles. “Yeah, even if I do get a kick out of him beating his chest when I’m around.”

“Okay.” I ignore the pang racking my body and agree to allowing him to have more time with Rumor. Which means, more time with me. “I’m warning you now, if you become a dick again, we’re gone.”

“I’ve always been a dick. You just never cared before.” A smile plays on his mouth, and I fake one in return. I did that before for him.

I shake my head, hating to mention anything that resembles taking up for him. “Not always, Reed.”

“Can you name one instance?” He eyes me skeptically.

I take a deep, needed breath. “You’ve sent her money and gifts since she was born.”

“Oh, yeah. I am kind of an okay guy.” He grins.

I wince. “Maybe, okayest.”