Page 116 of Rumor Has It

Reed props himself up on the post. “Looks like you lost again, Hatcher.”

“Listen to yourself. You’re talking about people. Mackenzie and Rumor aren’t pawns in this fucking game you’re playing!” My voice is thick with disdain.

He chuckles. “As if you give a fuck. If you had ever loved her, you would’ve stayed. Nothing nor no one would’ve pulled you away from them. Face it, you’re the one who lost them to begin with.”

“I couldn’t care less about winning or losing! I fucking love them, Thorton. I love them more than my own life!” I declare as my heart pounds wildly.

He takes a step toward me. “Lower your voice, or I’ll tell her your little secret. You and I both know she’s determine to never hide anything again, but here you are, keeping the one thing that’s more important to this situation, and you’re lying to her.”

“Go ahead. It hurts you as much as it does me.” I flex my hand, hoping to call his bluff.

He jerks his head at the door. “Is this about Rumor or the fact you’re afraid I’ll fuck Mackenzie again?”

Two steps. That’s all it takes for me to be in his face. “You better think about your next words, you son of bitch.”

“They’re coming to California with me, and I will fuck her raw. Bet on it, asshole.” He pokes me in the chest, and blind rage fills my sight.

I fist his shirt. “You lay a hand on either of them, and I’ll end you, Thorton.”

He pulls his arm back, hitting me in the face before I realize he had balls enough to do it. I pick him up by his collar, throwing him to the ground. He still can’t fight, so I decide to show him how.

Two punches and he’s covering his head. I pull back again, and Mackenzie’s voice draws my attention. As soon as my head turns, Reed catches me off guard and pushes me over.

We’re rolling around on her lawn as she yells at us to stop. “What in the hell, Boone? Stop!”

Reed punches me again, but Mackenzie continues to scream my name. I toss him off me, straddling him to put an end to this. Suddenly, a cold spray hits my back.

I swing around to find Mackenzie has the water hose, cooling us off. Reed scrambles from the ground, cleaning his mouth with the back of his hand. Rumor’s standing by the door, crying uncontrollably.

“Boone! What are you doing?” Mackenzie shouts.

I look from Reed to her to Rumor, fisting my hair when it dawns on me how badly I’ve messed up. Reed’s face says it all. He’s never going to let her forget what I’ve done here today.

“I’m done! Until you take care of this Neanderthal, I won’t be back!” Reed whirls around with Mackenzie right behind him.

“What happened?” she turns to him, making my stomach churn with nausea.

He spins, stabbing his finger in my direction. “He attacked me, unprovoked. I can’t do this, Mackenzie. I have a prestigious job. I don’t work for my daddy. I can’t run around fighting him off at every turn.”

“Fuck you!” I try to step around Mackenzie, but stop short when Rumor calls my name.

“Boone, please stop.” Rumor snubs, pleading with us. “Momma, make them quit.”

I turn to her. “I’m sorry, Boo. I’m stopping.”

“That’s the final straw, if you want a test, you’ll come with me to California where I can have an uninterrupted relationship with my daughter.”

“She’s not your daughter!” I growl, only to be faced with one pissed off Mackenzie, and rightfully so.

“Stop it, now. If he is her father, you’re ruining every chance she has to be in his life.” Mackenzie begs me.

I shake my head in disbelief. “And what if he’s not? You’re putting everything into him being her dad, Mackenzie. What if I’m her dad? What then? He’s no good for her, for either of you. We can take the test without him, you know.”

“I’ve talked to you about this, and you know how much I wish it could be true. I hate this is hurting you all over again, but I don’t see how he can’t be. You’re the love of my life, but I have to put her first. Don’t destroy her chance with him and I beg you, don’t let this come between us.” Her face is wet as tears stream down her face.

“I’m hurting her? Is that what you’re saying?” I search Mackenzie’s eyes, waiting for the words the minute I see them in her gaze. “You can’t even say it, can you?”

“He’ll walk away, and she’ll never have the chance to know her father.” Mackenzie reaches for me, but I step away from her.