Page 105 of Rumor Has It

His mouth smashes into a thin line. “Good to know.”

“Where did you see him?” I shift my feet, trying to remain calm but failing miserably. Boone, on the other hand, is turning fifty shades of red. He doesn’t hide things well, especially when he’s angry.

“When he walked up on me, announcing you asked to see him. Imagine my shock and horror, but now I can see it was all okay because other people witnessed it.” His jaw pops, along with the vein in the middle of his forehead.

I nod, moving away from the earshot of the rest of my garage. I wander over toward the door, holding it open for him to follow me in. “Can we please go in the office so we can talk?”

“Why? Everyone else knows you’ve been out with him. Go ahead and give me all the gory details. I’m excited to hear them.” His brows hang low over his eyes. He’s mad. I dare say, a little jealous and kind of scary.

He’s on my heels as I step into the room. I whirl around, holding my hands up as I do. “Okay, fine! I wanted you to go with me, but he surprised me here. I wanted to keep the gossip down, so I asked him to meet me for coffee. It was out in the open. I thought I’d be fine.”

“You never once thought about sending me a text to warn me, or maybe even ask me to meet you?” Pain is written on his face, marring his features. “Kenzie, I’m sorry. I’m being an ass because he pisses me off like no one else.”

“No, you’re right. I should’ve called and waited on you to go with me to meet him. I’m sorry.” I wince, knowing it’s of little consequence to say it now.

He runs his hand through his hair. “No, you’re right. I shouldn’t expect you to check in with me because you decide to talk to someone about our future. I apologize for being an asshole.”

“As long as you’re my asshole, I’m okay with all the chest thumping. It’s kinda sexy.” I waggle my brows.

He hooks my pants with a finger, yanking me into his arms. “I was blind with rage when he said you had contacted him.”

“I think I might like this green-eyed monster that’s been awakened in you. I’ve never seen him before.” I nibble on his neck. His hands slip around my waist and lift me to the desktop. I snare him with my legs, holding him closer. “I like this.”

He leans away, studying me. “What? Arguing or making me insane with jealousy?”

“Yes.” I push up from the desk, stretching to kiss him. “I need your lips to make this happen correctly.”

“I need you to communicate with me, if this is going to work correctly.” He glares at me until I relent, but I pout doing it.

I roll my eyes. “You’re right. We need to be open and honest with each other at all times. I knew it would make you crazy to know I was around him. I shouldn’t have been there without you.”

“I agree, we need to be open with each other, and that’s why this is so hard. I haven’t been honest with you.” His eyes dart away when his voice cracks. My chest tightens, foreboding what’s to come. There’s something in his tone, warning me well before his words come out.

I clutch at my belly, turning in on myself. “What do you mean, Boone? What’ve you done?”

“Nothing, Kenzie. That’s the problem.” He tries to pull away from me, but I hold him tightly.

“Boone, you’ve done so much for us. I don’t understand where this is coming from.” I search his face, and all I can see is the pain he’s putting himself through.

He shakes his head, wrenching from my grasp. “No, I haven’t. It’s because of me Reed came after you.”

“I don’t understand.” My muscles clench.

He pounds his fist into his chest. “Reed… He wanted to hurt me, so he came after you. He’s the reason I kept my feelings for you hidden for so long. I knew he’d come after us, and you’d be caught between this insane feud.”

“I’m confused. Slow down and explain to me why you think Reed couldn’t have been in love with me because he was mad at you?” I gape after replaying my words in my head. “I mean, not that I think he was ever in love with me no matter what he says.”

Boone narrows his eyes. “Is that what he told you today, he’s still in love with you? Do you believe that shit?”

“No!” I grimace, hating that I have to explain anything Reed said to me. “I mean, maybe. He did mention he, possibly, still had feelings for me, and I can see why I shouldn’t have been alone with him.”

“Well, please. Don’t let me stand in the way of the happy couple reuniting,” he growls as his face flames. His hands clench into fists when he starts pacing the room. “I’m sorry, again. I didn’t mean any of that. He makes me insane.”

I slide from the desk, holding my heart in my chest as it pounds against it. “You’re scaring me, Boone. What’s going on?”

“I don’t know if he’s in love with you or not, Kenzie, and to be honest, I’m not even sure if what I have to say matters anymore. You’re going to do what you want, no matter how much I love you.” His eyes dart away as they begin to fill with tears. I’ve only seen him like this one other time—when I turned him away.

I ease over to him and reach for his hand. I touch him, only to have him move away again. “I need you to explain all of this to me, now.”