Page 100 of Rumor Has It

“This entire time, you suspected he was going to try to destroy you, even if it meant hurting Mackenzie.” He falls back into his chair, shaking his head in disbelief.

I laugh nervously. “I know he will, and it’s not because he wants to be a father or a husband.”

“You knew this then, didn’t you? Is this why you waited so long to tell her how you felt about her?” His brows knit, and my stomach rolls violently as the words form on my lips.

“I knew he’d do everything he could, and I’ve lived with the regret of not preparing her.” I rub my chin, trying to abate the meaning of my words. There’s no use. “It’s my fault, Walker. I’m the reason she got caught in this trap he set for us. I’m the one who allowed him to hurt her.”

He holds his hand up, stopping me from going on with my self-hatred. “Wait just a second. Neither of you are to blame for this mess. Did you each make mistakes, yes. But the crime doesn’t reflect the sentence you were both given. He tore you apart. To hell with waiting—destroy him.”

“As much as I’d like to inflict harm on him, I can’t.” Emotion builds deep in my chest, filling my throat with disdain and strangling me for what I’ve done to us. “He could be Rumor’s father, and hurting him might come back on her. I love her as much now as I did then when I offered to raise her as my own, and I’ll protect her just the same. I’ll do the same for Mackenzie too.”

Walker leans forward and begins to type on his laptop. “We’ll represent you.”

“We?” I quirk my brow as my stomach knots.

“Reese is an excellent family law attorney. She’ll navigate most of it better than I can. Let’s arrange the test and get it down asap. Maybe we can stop some of his leverage before he can use it against you.” He reaches for his phone as soon as he’s finished on the computer. I shift in my seat, drawing his attention. “What is it?”

“Mackenzie set up an appointment. We’re going together.” I fidget, averting my eyes. “There’s something else, something I’ve kept to myself.”

His brows rise. “Go on, I’m waiting with bated breath.”

“I can’t tell you yet.”

“I take it Mackenzie doesn’t know about this either.” He glares at me as if to say, tell her now!

I run my hand through my hair. “I’m going to tell her, I swear.”

“I’ve found in these types of situations, the sooner you do it, the better.” Walker grins.

“I need more time, man. Once she finds out I kept all of this other stuff from her and didn’t protect them, there may not be any reason to tell her the rest.” I lay my hand on my chest as it constricts, cutting my airway off slowly. I stand, wandering over to the window.

“Boone, why did you keep any of this from her? Mackenzie’s always loved you. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do for you.” Walker’s line of thought isn’t wrong; it’s the acts I can’t explain.

I rub the back of my neck, rolling my shoulders as I do. “The thing with Reed was age. I was young and naïve. I didn’t think he would go after another person so he could hurt me. This other situation… I never in a million years imagined we’d ever see each other again, let alone be together.”

“I suppose it’s why you were hurt when she took off, but you never blamed her for protecting herself.” He gets it better than I do. I slide my hand into my pocket, wrapping it around the contents.

“To beat all, I never thought he’d be a problem again. I actually expected to have plenty of time with them, and I would tell her when the time was right.” I run my thumb over the felt, my chest feeling as though weights are sitting on it. “She’s gonna be mad because I kept it from her, that I could’ve circumvented so much between us and chose not to.”

He stands, joining by the row of windows. “Mackenzie’s strong, some would argue hardheaded, but she loves you. Tell her before she has a chance to discover the truth on her own; the fact you didn’t will hurt more than the dishonesty. You should know that firsthand.”

“I will. I just need to figure out how before he gets into town.” I release the box I’ve been holding onto all week. Now’s not the time, and I’m beginning to wonder if there’ll ever be for us.

“The craziest thing I’ve ever seen was two people in love but not together; don’t let that happen to you.” Walker’s advice comes from a place where only those who’ve been there can know how it hurts.

I hold out my hand. “Thanks, man. I’ll get at you as soon as possible.”

“Sounds good.” He takes it, shaking it before I leave.

I have another errand to run before heading back to Mackenzie and Rumor. I hop in the car and head toward Main Street. Parking a few doors down, I hop out, hoping to make this a quick trip.

Working my way down to the place I need to handle some business with, I spot something in the distance. I freeze as hell does when we make eye contact. “Speak of the devil.”

His timing is impeccable, I’ll give him that much. I’m also happy to give him an old-fashioned ass kicking. My gut turns over, and I step away from the door, preparing for battle.

“Well hell, folks. If it isn’t good ole Boone Hatcher in the flesh. How you been, buddy?” He slaps me on the back, flashing me a shit-eating grin. Have I ever said how much I hate him?

I swallow past the venom in my mouth, remembering we’re on Main Street and there are children around. “I’m good. What brings you to town?”