Page 9 of Rumor Has It

I drop my head willing this to end. “Dear God, please let this be over.”

“Your father wanted to be the one to talk to you, but he was called out to California, so it’s you and me.” She leans back, waiting on my reply.

“Listen, it’s not like that between us. We’re friends, that’s it.” I stare at her, praying silently the conversation is over.

“Boone, we’d be damn fools if we believed that.” She shakes her head. “The way you look at her, it’s obvious to everyone but you two.”

My shoulders slump. “She doesn’t feel the same way about me.”

“Now who’s the fool?” Mom stands, walking over to me. “She lights up when you walk into the room, Boone.”

I cut my eyes at her as hope springs. “What’re you saying?”

“Just because she says it, doesn’t mean it’s true.” She pats my chest. “We’re only hoping you’ll both finish college before you make future plans.”

“Has she said something?” My stomach knots.

“No,”—she smiles—“but a mother knows and a father sees everything.”

“I think … I’m going to ask her to prom.”

Mom’s face glows. “Kenny will be so happy. It’s been hard on Mackenzie not having a mom, and being raised by men at a garage. She’s a beautiful young woman, with a good heart and a great eye.”

“Do you talk to her dad? Oh, please tell me you two don’t talk about us…” I gape.

Mom waves me off. “Oh, for the love of pecan pie, no. That would be awkward.”

“And this isn’t?”

“Says you.” She snickers.

I roll my eyes. “Says every teen boy in the history of having sex talks with their mother.”

“You’ll be alright.” She kisses my cheek. “Have a good time and take the package of condoms in the bag on the table with you.”

My face turns crimson. “No, you did not.”

“Don’t worry. I pictured your father when I bought them.” She laughs as she walks out of the room, leaving me dying of embarrassment.

“Thanks, Mom.” I grumble as I stare at the brown bag. “Said no son ever when his mother buys his condoms.”

“You’re welcome!” she crows from the other room.

I trudge over to the table, sliding in the chair and grabbing my bag off the floor. I turn to the door and pause. “Fuck.” I spin around and snatch the box up quickly before hurrying out the door. “No way am I explaining why I’m late.”

I shove the bag into my backpack and toss it in the passenger seat as I jump in, more than ready to hit the road. “I can’t believe my mother bought me condoms.” I shake my head hoping to clear the image of her chatting up the clerk about it.

“She’s lost her mind, and I’m going to die a social death before I graduate high school.” I’m not sure what’s worse, the thought of her doing it or my dad allowing it. “I can’t let Mackenzie find out; she’ll be mortified.”

I pull out and hit Highway Seventeen, on my way to Mackenzie. Between being late and my mom’s antics, my palms are sweaty. I cross over the tracks, and my mouth goes dry when she comes into view.

“One day, Mackenzie Grace, you will be mine,” I mutter to myself as her blonde hair flies around her face. She’s overwhelming yet completely understated, not only in her beauty but her brains.

A smile plays on her lips as I park behind her. She’s sitting on the tailgate of her truck, wearing cutoff denim shorts and a t-shirt, the strings of her bikini top peeking out around the back of her neck. Her legs swing freely when she waves at me, hurrying me along.

“Are you waiting on someone?” I ask, climbing from my Wrangler.

“I sure am,”—she slides to the ground—“but you’ll do.”