Page 38 of Rumor Has It

Mackenzie’s head begins to shake, and she pulls away from me. “No, Boone.” She scrambles from the floor, turning on me. “I’ll never allow you to do that. You can’t; it’s not right.”

“Why not?” I get to my feet, leaving my soul shattered on the floor beneath me. “We can still be together. I promise to always love you both. I would never do anything to this child; I’d love it as my own!” I pound my chest, praying it’ll jumpstart my heart.

“You can’t do that, Boone.” She wipes her face with the back of her hand. “I can’t allow you to do that. I-I won’t.”

“I don’t remember it being your decision, Mackenzie.” My brows tighten, fending off the building anger that’s racing through my veins.

“Yes, it is.” Her frown deepens. “I’ll not have you raising a child that’s not yours.”

“Oh.” I gasp, gutted by her words. She doesn’t want me. “There it is.”

“There what is?” Her face distorts, still wet with tears, and all I can think of is taking her in my arms and refusing to let her push me away.

“The hurt you promised you’d never inflict again.” My chest concaves, bringing my shoulders with it and the last of my beating heart.

The color drains from her face, hardening it. “I knew you would want to give everything up, so you could run back here and take care of me, but I won’t have it. I can’t let you change your entire life for us, not this way.”

“Again, that’s not your choice!” I yell. “You don’t get to just throw me out with the trash, discarding me like I mean nothing to you. As if our love was never something you wanted, like I’m nothing.”

“Yes, Boone, it is my choice and one of very few I’m afforded these days.” She crosses her arms, walking to the door. “I want you to leave.”

“No.” My body quakes, fighting against my seizing heart. “I love you. I promised to stay, no matter what. Let me stay, hold on to me.”

“I don’t love you, not the way you love me.” She drops her head, tears falling to the ground as she opens the door. “Not anymore.”

“Kenzie, please don’t do this to us.” I plead with her, my heart shattering. “I’ll love us enough for you too.”

“Nooo, please go.” Her body curls in on itself, as if she’s empty inside. “I can’t love you anymore, Boone. You deserve so much better than me. You’ll see; just give it time.”

I walk toward the door, stopping in front of her. “What if time doesn’t help me forget you? What then, Kenzie?”

Her head snaps up, and she gazes into my eyes. “Then your heart will still know mine.”

Her words speak volumes, although they contradict everything I know to be true. Her body mirrors what comes from her heart. She loves me, and she believes she’s doing what’s for the best. For all of us.

I disagree. It’s not in my best interest nor hers and the unborn child she’s carrying. She knows I would turn my world upside down for her, in any way she needs. I would be by her side, no matter what we faced; it’s all I’ve ever wanted.

I want to stay, argue with her to see reason. I want to stay, not just for her, or the baby, but for my own selfish reasons. Because once Mackenzie has her mind made up, there’s no convincing her there’s another way.

I caress her face, running my thumb over her cheekbone when she leans into my touch. Her need for me is as palpable as mine want of her. I dry her jawline with my palm, savoring everything she is.

“Always, Kenzie.” I lean in, pressing my lips to hers. Reluctantly releasing her before either of us want. “I’ll always love you.” I turn, walking out the door and away from the only woman who will ever own me, heart and soul.

Always.