Page 88 of Rumor Has It

He corners me, pressing my back against the wall. “Mind telling me why you don’t have a lot?”

“Her.” I raise my shoulders, letting them fall at will.

He nods. “I don’t like that. We need to fix this.”

“I have a few new things. Maisyn helped me shop the other day.” I wince, ducking under his arm and walking to the door. Dang it! Why did I say anything?

He’s right behind me when I open the door and step onto the porch. “Did you go shopping before I came over?”

I side-eye him. “Maybe.”

“I did too.” He glances at me, a smile playing on his mouth.

“Ahhhh, see!” I giggle until he starts laughing with me.

Boone suddenly jerks, dragging his phone from his pocket. “Hello, beautiful.” I quirk my brow at his overly friendly greeting.

“I apologize. I wasn’t thinking. I-I…” He glances at me. “I stayed with Mackenzie last night.” His face flushes. “No, she was not. We were alone.” I gape at him, earning me a shit-eating grin.

“Dinner? I can ask. Are you sure you’re ready to share me with another woman? Actually, it’s two other women.” I blink, stunned.

“Hang on, and I’ll ask her. Kenzie, Mom wants to know if we can join them for dinner?” He does his best not to laugh.

I narrow my eyes at him. “If you make it outta here alive for that little charade.”

“We’d love too.” He snickers. “We’re waiting on Maisyn to drop Rumor off, so can we make it, say six?” He turns three shades of red. “Yes, Rumor spent the night at Maisyn’s. Kenzie and I did have a sleepover.” He rubs his forehead. “Dear God, if you ask me another question, I might die.”

I cover my face, dying for us both. “This is not happening. No way—it’s not possible.”

“I’m hanging up, Mom.” He hesitates. “If you want us to show up, you’ll stop now. I love you.” Boone ends the call, staring out into the yard.

I peek at him, smirking. “Did she ask if you got lucky?”

“Have I died? No, she did not.” He turns to me, concern written in his frown. “I fucked up.”

“What? How?”

He rubs the back of his neck, releasing a sigh. “We haven’t used any protection.”

“And … you only think of it now?” I hold my tongue when his face pales.

“Yes, seems as though I keep letting you down.” His head drops, disappointment rolling off him. I press my fingers to my lips, stifling my chuckles.

“Boone, we’re good. I learned about this crazy thing called ‘birth control’. Besides, you’re not responsible for anything but my orgasm.” I grin, proud of myself for taking care of us, but Boone’s face isn’t reflecting what I think it should.

“As if I haven’t let you down enough, I forget something like this.”

“You know you didn’t just go there!” I tug on his arm, pulling it free so I can snuggle next to him.

He slides his hand to the small of my back. “I suppose this is another thing we need to work on.”

“Meaning?” I lean away, gazing at him.

He tangles his fingers in my hair. “Taking care of each other, and Rumor.”

“I like the sound of that.” He lips are on mine, sending a crazy chill over me. Someone lays on a horn, breaking us apart. Maisyn is waving like a loon from her driver’s seat.

“Hey, y’all! Hate to interrupt, but the PTA is across the street taking notes. Ya might want to take it inside.” Rumor climbs from the SUV, giggling. “But keep it PG for the K.I.D.”