Page 96 of Rumor Has It

“Boone loves you. Hold on to that and him.” His arms cocoon me, and I want to get lost in them and never come back.

The door sounds, making us jump. Dad pops up, giving me time to dry my face and pull myself together. I take two deep, steadying breaths and stand, finding my two biggest reasons for living.

“Hey, y’all.” I avert my eyes, focusing on Rumor. She darts around the counter, showing me her bag. I’ve been so happy to bury my head in my life.

“Is everything okay?” Boone’s voice quivers. He knows, he took one look at me and has it all figured out.

Dad plays it off, walking around to the door. “All good, just taking care of some old business. I’ll be glad when it’s thrown out with the trash.”

“I heard that. Anything I can help with?” Boone cuts his eyes at me, and I shrink into the floor with Rumor.

Dad hesitates, wanting to say so much more than he does. “I think we’ve got it, but I’ll let you know.”

“Sounds good.”

I sit there, collecting my thoughts and my stomach. It fell on the floor when Boone walked in. “You got a haul, kid.”

“We got you something too.” She beams before cutting her eyes above my head. I look over my shoulder, but nothing’s there. “I wasn’t supposed to tell you.”

“Tell me what?”

I stand, scanning the place for Boone. “Where’d he go?”

“I don’t know. He’s been a weirdo all day.” She screws her face up, mirroring mine.

I step around Rumor, walking around the counter to the entrance. Boone’s standing by the SUV with his head down. Opening the door, I wander over to him. He’s lost in thought; a piece of paper in one hand, and something in his fist in the other.

My pulse quickens when his face comes into view, wrought with pain, his features downturned. I clutch my stomach, panic rising like vomit as it churns in my stomach. All I can think of is that he knows. Everything.

“Boone?” I tremble as I reach out, touching him. “Boone?”

He flinches, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Sorry, you caught me off guard.”

“Is everything okay?”

His jaw sets. “Uhh, yeah. Everything’s fine.”

“Did you buy her the store or just stock in it?” I toss my thumb toward Rumor.

His body jerks, but the chuckle doesn’t meet his eyes. The hair on my neck rises. “The store, I bought the stock for myself.”

“Smart move.” I study his face; he’s still conflicted. “Good looks and a killer ass. I think you’re the trifecta.”

“You forgot one.” His head lulls as he looks to the sky. “Forever a good guy.”

“Fair enough, but then you’d need to add dirty mouthed.” His eyes dart to mine, searching for something. I shudder when he looks away, not finding what he needed or not saying what he wanted to.

He half shrugs. “All for the cause.”

“Am I a cause?” I tilt my head. There’s something in his words, troubling me deep in my core.

This time, when his eyes meet mine, they’re glistening. My breath hitches. “No, never.”

I feel as though the world is spinning as I watch it turn. I step closer, prying him from whatever has him trapped. “Boone?”

His gaze meets mine, but he’s still lost, and I have no idea to what or where. There’s a pang in the pit of my stomach, screaming at me to pull him back. So, I do.

I reach out for him, laying my hand on his face, caressing it. His lids flutter closed as he presses into my palm, taking what he needs. My chest tightens, as though I’m afraid. Then again, maybe it isn’t me who’s scared.