Page 121 of Rumor Has It

“Damn, if it wasn’t for the visual, that sounded so hot,” Ridge groans.

“Men are so gross.”

Maisyn giggles. “You’re only saying that because your side dick is in Cherry Grove.”

“First, he’s not my side dick. Boone’s the main man,” I grumble, feeling sorry for myself.

“I didn’t agree to have this conversation.” Ridge gripes, making us laugh again.

I sigh heavily. “I know, I appreciate this, y’all. I’m at a loss of what to do.”

“What’s your heart tell you?” Maisyn always goes for the jugular.

I squint when I put my arm down, resting it. “What it’s always said—run to Boone.”

“I guess I’m lost with all of it because I never understood why you went anyway.” Ridge is right, I should’ve never came.

I run my hand over my face. “At first, I contacted him to simply get a test. I thought he’d decline. Then I planned to ask him for sole custody, but that went to hell in a hand basket.”

“Burned that bitch to the ground, that’s what you did.” Maisyn chimes in, rubbing salt into the wound.

“Again, why though?” Ridge cuts in. “Boo Baby was happy, and she has her own feelings on who her dad is; isn’t that all that matters?”

I pull my knees up to my chest, releasing a long breath. “When she was born, she had you, Ridge, and my dad. Then, Boone came crashing back in, loving us like he always said he would. Should that have been enough? Yes, and it still is. Yet, deep down, I hated myself. I live in fear she’ll have a medical emergency, and we’ll lose valuable time getting her help.

“I told myself over and over, that was the reason. I convinced Boone, even did my best to make you both believe it. But it’s not true. That’s not the real reason I wanted, no needed, her to know her father.”

“Mackenzie, I don’t care what your reasoning is. I’m not in the position to make a decision like this for someone else or their child. It’s deeply personal, and honestly, I don’t think you owe anyone an explanation.” Maisyn says it as she sees it. My favorite trait of hers.

Ridge clears his throat. “I agree with Maisyn. It’s not up for other people to decide how we choose to live. I’d never explain or apologize for my life. I don’t think you should either.”

“I think Boone deserves to know. I’ve never been open enough to tell him, though. I’ve been so afraid of what he’d think about me.” I fight my building tears.

“Alright, say it now. Put it out there, and let it be.” Maisyn hits it home.

I take a deep breath. “I’m afraid Rumor will hate me when she’s older. I’ve made life-altering decisions for her, and look what a mess I’ve made. Had we waited to find her father, she’d be older, and maybe we wouldn’t be getting along or whatever. I’ve lived in fear she’d blame me for not having a dad, and I couldn’t live with myself any longer.”

“Damn, that’s powerful,” Ridge mutters.

“Yeah, now I’m left with Reed.”

“What’s up there?” Maisyn mumbles as if she’s thinking out loud. “I thought y’all had decided to spend time together and get to know each other.”

I wet my lips, staring at Rumor. “He’s never here. He’ll send me a message, asking for us to meet him, and he proceeds to parade us around. Once he’s done that, we’re dismissed.”

“He hasn’t spent any time with Rumor?” Maisyn sounds concerned, so am I.

“No, and I don’t want him to. Whenever he’s around, she’s jittery.” I hesitate. “He keeps making passes at me, trying to kiss me and stuff.”

“Boone will rip him apart,” Maisyn growls. My heart stutters with the mere mention of his name.

“I don’t want to know anything else,” Ridge says in a clipped tone.

“Why? I can handle myself, Ridge.”

I hear someone calling me, and I scan the beach, turning to find Reed. He yells from the deck, waving us toward the house. I spew a string of vulgarities under my breath as I stand.

“Hey, now. You need soap in that nasty mouth!” Maisyn admonishes me.