Page 135 of Rumor Has It

“Boone,”—Walker waves me back—

“come on in.”

I practically fall into the chair in front of him. He slides some papers at me, like I’m going to even think about what I’m reading. I pick them up, shuffling them around.

“Are you going to sit ther, pretending you’re reading those, even though I know you’re not because you look like shit, or are you going to finally talk to someone about it?” Walker quirks his brow, seeing straight through me. Who am I kidding, the entire town probably knows.

“I’m not sure what I can say. I didn’t tell her about the boxes, or the money, or even what I did all those years we were apart. I didn’t tell her how we’ve lived for one another, like we always have.” I lay my head back, burying my palms into my eyes and rubbing them until the tears dry up. Walker sits back in his chair, silent.

“How could she ever think she wasn’t enough for me? Kenzie’s always been exactly what I need, and always what I’ve wanted. I know some think I’m insane for waiting on her or letting her push and pull me like a yo-yo, but it’s not like that to me.”

He nods. “I understand. Reese could never see herself the way I did. I’m not even sure she does now. The funny thing is… I don’t see myself the way she sees me. She gives me more than anyone else, before and now. Mackenzie’s a lot like Reese, for the fact she doesn’t see how much she gives; she only sees what she takes.”

“She won’t even take what I give, but damn if she doesn’t give me everything and more. She’s the same way with Rumor, always trying to make up for what she didn’t give her. Sometimes, it’s as though she doesn’t even see what she means to her.

If there’s ever been a more selfless person than Mackenzie, I’d like to meet them. All she sees is that she’s selfish and has wasted the last ten years keeping us apart. I could’ve stayed. I should’ve stayed. I did what I wanted to do and then hated myself.” My body feels as though it’s rejecting itself, I’m in so pain.

“Sounds as though you’re both paying a penance that neither of you owe to anyone.” Walker’s beyond his years.

“I have no idea why?”

“It’s what you think you deserve. You didn’t tell her about the support because you didn’t stay; although, you damn well know she couldn’t have stopped you if you had. And she thinks everything she did was a price she had to pay for betraying your love, just to find out you made the choice to stay away.” His mouth sets into a thin line.

There’s no holding anything back now. “I didn’t think I deserved her because I couldn’t man up and tell her how I felt. I allowed another guy to say all the things I didn’t. I’ve spent years trying to become the man I thought she deserved.”

“When you were the man she’s always wanted, and never thought she deserved. Kinda like how you see yourself.” He shrugs.

“Damn, what a mess we’ve made.” I dry my face. “What do I do now?”

“You’re about to learn the hardest lesson of your life… You must wait.” He smirks.

I shake my head. “And here I thought we were done waiting.”

“Boone, we spend our life waiting on the right love; what’s a few more days?” He’s right.

“What if she doesn’t come?” I sigh.

“What if she does?” He cocks his head.

Now, I smirk. “I’ll be ready this time, for whatever life throws at us. Besides, we’ve been through worse and still made it here and in more love than we’ve ever been.”