Page 20 of Rumor Has It

“Please, let go of me. I need to go.”

“Or you could stay here. We could finish this right here and now.” The tip of his tongue sweeps over his bottom lip. Does he think I’m going to allow him to kiss me?

A sound makes him snap his head up, and I slip away from him. “I’m leaving.” I whip around to see Boone rushing down the stairs. “Shit!”

“He’s going to her. He’ll be fine.” Reed pulls on my shirt.

“Stop it!” I back away from him. “You’re wrong, and about more than Boone.”

I turn and sprint toward Boone, hurrying down the steps in record time. I land with a thud on the bottom floor. Spinning, I search the halls for him. When I don’t see him anywhere, I hit the door with the speed of light.

“Damn it, Boone.” I race out back, praying that he hasn’t left.

I spot his Jeep as soon as I turn the corner, but it’s what I see happening that brings me up short. Boone is pinned against his door by a sandy blonde girl with her mouth attached to him like a trout.

“Marla!” I growl, storming toward them. “You’re about to be one less claw if you don’t get off him.” That, folks, is me reaching my bullshit limit for one day. Yes, I’ve snapped, and the future looks dark.

“Excuse me?” Her top lip curls, and I watch as her mustache twitches in the wind. “We’re having a discussion.”

“No, I don’t think you are. You’re dry humping his leg like a pole dancer, and if I’m not mistaken, sucking his face off!” I cut my eyes to Boone who has his narrowed at me. “You know what, please, Boone, tell us if that’s true, or was I interrupting something between you?”

“You looked like you had your hands full upstairs, so Marla was keeping me company.” His jaw sets, sending a warning to me to tread lightly, even if I don’t want to.

“It’s not what you think, I was trying to leave.” I’m not sure what’s happening here, but my gut is screaming this is bad.

He straightens, moving ever so slightly away from her. “Marla said you and Reed were in the corner, I was coming to check on you but you looked busy.”

“Boone, are you gonna tell her now?” Marla slides her arm around his waist.

“Tell me what?” My gaze never leaves Boone as I begin to tremble.

Boone shuffles his feet, clearly uncomfortable. “Marla, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“You have to be kidding me?” Marla’s mouth drops.

“We’re not laughing, now go!” I seethe, finished with all of this bullshit. “Besides, your mustache needs tending to anyway. Waxing isn’t opitional; it’s the right thing to do.”

Marla glares at me. “Oh, please. Like he would ever pick you over me, you don’t even look like a girl, and you surely don’t belong on his arm. He’s always deserved better than the likes of you, we all know it. When will you ever learn, you don’t belong with him.”

“Like you’ve ever been anywhere besides your knees!” I take a step toward her.

“Mackenzie!” Boone admonishes me.

“Seriously? You’re trying to make me feel bad, after what she said?”

Marla slides next to him, pursing her lips. “He’s only putting you in your place. You don’t fit in with us; you never have. You should leave.”

“Marla, walk away before she uses you to clean the parking lot,” Boone warns her. It’s like he can feel the anger pulsating through my body.

I refuse to give her any more attention than she’s already gotten. Boone, on the other hand, I’m locked in a stare down with him. At this point, I’m not sure if I’m shaking from what’s about to go down or the fact that I’m afraid of what’s about to be said.

“How could you?” I leer at him.

His brows drop low. “Me? I’m not the one wrapped around Thorton, batting my lashes, and falling all over myself.”

“Oh, nooo! Not you! You’re just at the back of the building being climbed like a tree with Marla's lips all over you!” I grit my teeth to keep from crying. He hasn’t even tried to kiss me, but here he is with her, know how she’s made me feel all this time.

“What’s wrong, Kenzie?” He steps closer to me, as I begin to tremble. “You’re shocked someone might actually want me?”