Page 91 of Rumor Has It

Chapter 19

Boone

Mackenzie’s been all over her seat. I’ve never seen her this nervous. She’s been around my parents hundreds, if not more, times in her life, I have no idea why this time is making her act this way.

I cut my eyes at her when she pops her finger in her mouth, chewing on it. I reach over and wrap my hand around her wrist and tug. She relinquishes, dropping her hand into her lap.

“Chill, woman. You’re starting to make me nervous.”

She puckers her mouth and trots her leg. “You’re imagining things. I’m not nervous.”

“Did you get it?” I jump, peering in the floor at her feet.

She rears back. “Shoot! What is it?”

“I don’t know, you’re the one stomping it!”

Mackenzie glares at me while Rumor cracks up in the back seat. “Alrighty, I see you have jokes.”

“No, not at all. I mean, a few. Maybe.” I wink at her. “Do you want to hear them? Yes? No? Asking for a friend? Oh, you’re going to phone a friend!”

She nods, flipping me off. “I’ve got your friend.”

“Awe, babe! You think I’m number one? You’re the best.” By the time we get to my parents’ home, Mackenzie’s fuming. But she isn’t nervous. I pull in the driveway, parking by the garage. “I need to go car shopping, I’m tired of driving their cars.”

“I’m going to beg them to lock you in a closet before I hurt you.” She pinches my side before opening her door.

“Ouch! You’re a meanie.” I pout, climbing from the car to Rumor’s delight.

She’s giggling so hard, tears gather in the corner of her eyes. “Momma’s gonna ground you!”

“Exactly, he’s in big trouble.” Mackenzie stabs her finger at me, leaving Rumor in a fit of laughter.

“Promise?” I cock my brow to Mackenzie’s dismay.

Rumor’s snickering comes to a halt with her mouth forming an ‘o’. “Ohhhh, that’s not good.”

“You might want to rethink your next words, dear.” Mackenzie’s glare could penetrate steel.

“Wow, you’ve got that whole ‘mom looks angry’, ‘I hear heavy metal music’, ‘we’re all going to die’ look down.” I grimace.

She leans in and whispers in my ear. “No desert for you tonight.”

“What about pie?” I quirk my brow in response to her gleaming gaze. “I love pie, it’s like an entire meal. I could eat it all day long.”

“This. Is. War.” She spins on her heels and takes Rumor by the hand, marching toward the entrance. I don’t really mind—her ass in those jeans is the apple pie of my eye.

Mom swings the door open before they can ring the bell. “Mackenzie, it’s so good to see you.” She wraps Mackenzie in her arms, holding her tight. It’s not until my dad joins her do I realize Mackenzie’s crying.

“Kenzie?” I run my hand down her back, trying to comfort her.

Mom’s eyes dart to mine, concern written in her frown. “Sweetheart? I was hoping this was a good thing.”

“It is,” Mackenzie snubs. “Just a little overwhelming. I’ve missed you.”

My dad reaches for her, and she goes willingly. “There’s our girl! Well, maybe not girl anymore.”

She giggles, releasing him. “No, not really.”