Page 86 of Rumor Has It

“When Reed kept pressuring me to, ya know, I knew it wasn’t right. Even when I ‘overheard’ you had slept with Marla, I was crushed, but I still had no desire for him. Then, someone said to try it; it might make me forget about you.” Her breath hitches, breaking my heart all over again, her pain so tangible.

“I cried all weekend because all I did was think of you, and that it should’ve been you doing that to me … with me. I hated myself so much that whenever I’d see you with her, I wanted to die. I never dreamed you’d want me, or to be with me after doing that to us.”

I pull her close, holding her. “And still, we loved each other.”

“Yeah, shocker.”

“It doesn’t surprise me, Kenzie. Even when I walked in the shop on y’all, my heart reacted before my brain had a chance. All I kept thinking was kiss her, don’t lose the chance to let her know how you feel. But I did the opposite and scared Rumor.” I squeeze my eyes shut. “I didn’t stay when you asked because of Rumor. I had just yelled at her mom and made you cry. What kind of man does that?”

“An angry one with every right to scream and shout.” She tightens her arm around me.

“Well, there was no chance in hell my daughter would think it’s acceptable to be treated that way and then invite him to bed. Besides, the image of you yelling at me during our argument, and screaming my name in pleasure, wasn’t something I wanted her to wake up to.” I release a heavy breath.

Mackenzie tilts her head to look at me. “Ridge said she barely heard it. She was walking through the shop to the garage before she heard us. That’s why he dropped the door. I also talked to her about it before I invited you over.”

“You did?” My heart seizes. “Is she okay? Does she hate me, or worse—is she scared of me?”

“It was an argument. We were both hurt, and I explained that to her and the difference between being hurt emotionally and allowing someone to physically hurt you. She’s alright, Boone.” She kisses my cheek.

“I know one thing, I’ve never been so shook! Seeing you after all this time just about did me in. I had no clue you were back here, and I wasn’t prepared at all.” I pound my chest.

“You’re telling me!” She snorts, covering her face. “I didn’t know about your dad, I’m sorry, so I was blown away to see you. I had this elaborate plan to have Maisyn get your number so I could call. If that didn’t work, I was going to your parents and begging.”

“You can’t leave me hangin’. You’ve got to tell me what you were going to say.” I gig her side, making her jump. Our bodies rub against one another, causing the best kind of friction that sends my pulse racing.

“I don’t know, Boone. It all seems stupid now.” She covers her face. “I wanted—no. I needed you to understand why I left, and my reasons for coming back. At eighteen, it all made perfect sense. I’d convince you that there was no way she could be yours, you’d leave, and I’d never have to face anything again.

“Once she started school, everything got harder. Emergency contacts, parent-teacher crap, and the constant explanation of why she doesn’t have a father. Then, all hell broke loose when they had a father-daughter dance. Her face gutted me when I told her Uncle Ridge would take her.” She releases a long breath.

“Last spring it all came to a boil. She fell on the playground and needed to be checked for a concussion. The hospital asked questions about her medical history, which went fine, until they asked about her parents’ background. I hadn’t a clue if anyone had seizures or a bleeding disorder.” She attempts to dry her face.

“I stood there, lost. Not only couldn’t I take care of her and fill in her family medical history, but I couldn’t even fill in her family. I loathed my very existence! The only reason I pushed forward after hurting you was because I thought it was better for her to have my image of you and never having to be faced with the fact that he might be her father.

“If I could’ve, I would have willed her to be yours and forgot about it. I would’ve stayed and raised her with you. But no matter how much I dreamed or wished that it be true, a small part of me knew it might not be, and then where would be?” My chest constricts as her voice trembles.

“Her doctor came in and told us that Rumor was alright, and I was relived. But she followed up by saying that she didn’t want to lecture me”—she rolls her eyes—“which is the first indicator you’re getting one, but I needed to consider finding out who her father was. Of course I was angry, but she made a point.

“She explained to me what we’d have to go through, if God forbid, something were to happen to Rumor. If she’d ever need blood or a transplant, the time we’d lose waiting to find out who could do it might not be time she’d have. Then she told me the worst of it—what if something happened to me and there was nothing on file to keep him from getting custody?”

A mix of fear and anger act as a catalyst fueling my rage, making me shudder. “I’d kill him.”

“Exactly! Ridge would, Maisyn—there’s a long list. If he’s her father, he’d have every right to her. It doesn’t matter he’s never been around, or the fact she doesn’t know him. I don’t want to ask him to take the test, I wish it could only be us. We’d know either way, but it’s still unfair to her. Unless he relinquishes his rights, I’m screwed.” Her hair stands on her arms with a shiver.

My stomach knots at the thought of losing either of them, but the rage burning in my gut, knowing he has a right to Rumor, has me teetering on the edge. There’s no way in hell I’ll stand by and let him get his hands on either of my girls again.

“Are you planning to contact him?” I swallow the bile rising in my throat with the growing realization that this is a very real possibility. I can’t have that happen; they just came back to me.

Mackenzie averts her eyes. “I don’t want to, but I don’t see how I can avoid it.”

“Hey…” I nudge her, drawing her gaze. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere, and this time, your ass won’t get rid of me. Do you understand?”

“Why?” Tears streak her face, gutting me. “Why would you want to stay?”

I roll her onto her back, laying over her. “I’m going to say this one more time, and the next time I utter these words, it’ll be at our wedding.” She blinks as her face slowly brightens. “I’m not leaving. I never should’ve left to begin with, but that’s done. I want our family, you and Rumor.”

“Are you sure? I mean, like really thought about it? Besides, you’re based in California; would we move there or stay here?” She worries her lip, but she’s not saying no, and that hope alone has my heart thundering in my chest.

“I can move home, commute, or maybe we might decide to move.” I grin at her. “We have time to figure it all out, Kenzie. All I need to know is if you want me, and if Rumor is alright with it? Besides, I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I am an attorney.”

Mackenzie runs her hand around the back of my neck, holding me close. “IF I want you? Boone, I’ve always wanted you, and now I know I need you. I can’t go on without you by my side, loving me the way you do. Why wouldn’t Rumor want you? It’s so easy to see that in such a short time, you love her just as much as you do me.”

“I do, Kenzie. It was never lip service; I want to be with you both.” I stop short of reminding her that I love her.

There’s time for that.