Page 28 of Rumor Has It

I could never. I’m broken, hurt beyond repair. Yet, right now, if Boone came to me, I’d rip open every wound and scar I have to tell him how I feel. The way he makes me feel and what being with him means to me.

I’d tell him … I love him.

Even though, I’m not showing him. No, I’m standing here as my entire soul screams at me that I’m making a huge mistake. I’m blaming Boone for all that has gone wrong with us, and doing to him the very thing they said he did to me.

***

August: two long months later…

I’m curled up, sitting by myself while everyone else is running around, getting drunk and saying goodbye. My stomach revolts as I think about him leaving, knowing I don’t want to let him go.

Most of the people I went to school with are here, one last big hoorah before college. Reed and I were together for six weeks, and it’s been an experience. I don’t think I’ve grown so much in such a short amount of time.

He’s still licking his wounds from our breakup. I think he was mad because I did it first. I couldn’t take another minute. I’ve been so wrong. I can’t count the mistakes I’ve made on two hands anymore.

Reed waves, forcing me to smile as he approaches. He falls down on the blanket beside me, his hand already on my thigh. “Why don’t you come visit our friends, say goodbye to the girls.”

“Not my friends, they’re yours.”

He narrows his eyes. “If you’d try not being a bitch, it might help.”

“I don’t want to be their friend, especially if they think I’m a bitch.”

He sits up, running his hand up my leg. “You never really gave them a chance to get to know you.”

“Exactly, so why would they think I’m a bitch?” I quirk my brow.

He leans in, as if waiting for a kiss. “Come have a drink with me.”

Something catches my eye in the distance. I’d know that silhouette anywhere on this earth. I shudder as a chill courses through me. It’s one more sign that I can’t ignore anymore.

“Why? We’re not together, or haven’t you told everyone?” I take his hand, slowly removing it and dropping it to the side. “Nothing’s changed for me, Reed.”

His body goes rigid. “You’ve got to be kidding me?”

“Like I said last week, we aren’t meant to be together. We never were supposed to be.” I stare at Boone as my pulse thrums to life, awakening my soul and assuring me I’m finally making the right decision. “This never should’ve happened, none of it.”

“Still, here we are and you’re the one who did it.” He tilts his head as if he understands. Clearly he doesn’t because if he did, he’d know he doesn’t have a chance. “So, what? You’re still in love with him? Hatcher doesn’t give a shit about you, and you’re still pining over him.”

“You’re right, all of this happened because of me and Boone. For whatever reason, you want to see him miserable, but I can make sure he’s not alone.” My stomach rolls with the thought of what I’ve done to us. “I’ve made a mess, and I have to fix it, if it’s not too late.”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding,” he growls. “You like him more than me?”

“Actually, it’s more than like. I love him.” There it is, my truth out in the world to find the one who needs to hear it most.

“This entire time I could never rid you of him. He was always there, never far from your mind.” His jaw sets as he turns on me. “I should’ve stuck with the plan, taught Hatcher a lesson by hurting you. I should’ve broke you from him.”

“Well, your plan worked. I did break, and the second I started listening to you wasn’t even my biggest mistake. Not believing in him was.” I stand, dusting my shorts off. “He’s attached to me, rooted so deep, I will never be rid of him. I wouldn’t survive without him.”

Reed jumps to his feet, getting in my face. “I must be in la-la land or something; don’t you understand? I used you, both of you. I preyed on your feelings for each other, just to hurt you and destroy him.”

“Thank you.” His face contorts as if I’m speaking a foreign language. “You did me a favor in teaching me what was right and true. You taught me what love isn’t and how it feels when it’s real. Love isn’t always in one’s words, but always should be in their actions.” I step around him. Jerking my backpack from the ground, I walk away.

The closer I get to Boone, waves of nausea hit me. My nerves are shattered after all I’ve put him through, and I’m afraid he won’t want me. The moon hangs in the sky behind him, giving me the perfect view of him as he glances up.

He looks out over the ocean, and I hesitate, holding my breath until he glances my way again. When he does, I gasp as he raises his hand to me, waving. I drop my head, sending up a silent prayer.

I plod toward him, taking each wavering step on wobbly legs. “Hey.”