Page 3 of Rumor Has It

Chapter 1

Mackenzie

May…

I slide my ponytail through the back of my hat, pulling it tight. Staring at the makeup on my dresser, I decide to slather on a little lip gloss and top it off with a touch of mascara.

“If Maisyn’s gonna keep giving me this stuff, she’s going to have to teach me how to use it,” saying as I toss the tube to the side.

I take one final look at myself before grabbing some tissues to dab at my lips. “I look like a jar of Vaseline attacked me.”

Snagging my keys from my nightstand, I hurry down the steps and to the kitchen. There’s a full-on breakfast waiting on me, but I only have time to gobble down a biscuit. I take an orange juice from the refrigerator on my way out the backdoor.

I see my grandpa working in the garden as I step out onto the porch. He spends as much time there as he does the shop, much like Gran did. My dad and I came to live with my grandparents after my mom passed away during childbirth; she and my brother died.

“Hey, Grandpa!” I say, getting his attention. “I’m headin’ out. I have an oil change to do, and I’m gonna stay with Maisyn tonight after I’m done.”

He grins, peering at me over the pepper plants. “Oil change? Since when are you still doing those, Mack?”

“I’m building my own clientele.” I twirl the keys on my fingers as I take the steps faster than I should, but I’m in a hurry and I need to get away from his line of questioning.

“Hopefully you’ll have more than one soon.” He chuckles.

“Ha, ha-ha, ha.” I snicker, rolling my eyes at his so-called wit as I strut to my truck. He knows as well as I do, I’m not wanting more customers. I’m more than pleased with the one I have, and would be thrilled if he wanted more from me.

“Tell him I said ‘hello’.” He waves with a sly grin. Yeah, he knows what’s up.

“I’ll see ya later!” I throw my hand up, sliding into the driver’s seat of my 1968 Ford F-100. Cranking her up, I smile and pat the dash. “Good girl, Ramona.”

My family’s shop is a few blocks away. I’ve been helping out for the last few years. My grandpa and dad are some of the best mechanics around, and one day, I hope to own the family business. I’m named after both of them—Mack for my grandfather and Kenny for my dad. Some may think it’s odd, a girl with men’s names, but I like it.

As I turn the corner, I can see the shop up ahead. I can’t help but smile as the gun metal’68 Camaro comes into view. Well, actually, it’s the guy climbing out from behind the wheel who makes me smile.

Boone Hatcher.

He’s the very definition of ‘the bane of my existence’. He’s also the main attraction in all of my wildest dreams. Boone is well built, with wavy chestnut hair and a smile that gives me butterflies.

“Dear Lord, why didn’t you warn me milk was gonna do that to his body? ” I drag in a ragged breath, making my nostrils flare. “And a little warning to go easy on the ‘best friend’ remarks would’ve been great, considering all I want to do is bury my tongue down his throat now.”

Turning into the lot, I park beside him. I push my door open, watching his perfect lips curve into my favorite lopsided grin. My stomach feels as though I’m on a rollercoaster.

“Hey there, beautiful.” His smile widens and all I can think is that I could lick his teeth. Yeah weird, Mackenzie.

“Don’t say what you don’t mean, Boone.” I nudge his shoulder just so I can touch him, sending my hormones into overdrive.

“You’re just used to all those guys hitting on you, instead of hearing the truth.” He grips the bill of my cap, tugging it down. I tip forward, and his hands on are me, making me shiver as chills race over me.

“Stop it, jerk.” I slap at him, grinning like a love sick fool.

“That’s for making me wait; you’re such a girl,” he gripes, smirking to let me know he’s kidding.

“So you did notice?” I bite my lip, enjoying our flirty banter when he looks me over and has my belly flipping.

His eyes smolder. “It’s hard not to lately, Kenzie.”

“Do tell or are you gonna keep teasing me?” I peek up at him from under the bill of my hat.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” His voice lowers as he glances over my shoulder. “Are you ready?”