Page 36 of Rumor Has It

I dry my face, peering up to the last person I thought would come to help me. Ridge holds his hand out, offering it to me. I’m not sure if it’s a lift or a lifeline, but I latch on.

I get to my feet, and he holds his hand out again. “Your phone.”

“Okay.” I dig it out of my pocket, giving it to him. “What’s up?”

He takes it, quickly typing on it. “I’ve made more mistakes in my short life than most people do in a hundred years.”

“I feel that, man.” I rub my neck as he hands my phone back to me.

“One thing I know about them, two mistakes doesn’t make it right. She’s there, and she probably won’t talk to you even when you get ththere.She’s stubborn as hell, but I don’t need to tell you that, do I?”

“Why?” I look down at the screen. “She’s gonna be pissed at you.”

“Probably, but I should’ve done exactly what you’re about to do.” His mouth forms a thin line. “Living with regret is a million times worse than living with a million mistakes.”

“Damn straight.” I swallow hard. “Now, if I can convince Kenzie of that, I’ll be alright.”

He shakes his head. “If there’s one thing I know, they’ll do what they think is best for everyone, whether we like it or not.”

“She doesn’t have the right to decide for me. I’m here for her, no matter what.” A tremor rushes through me, his words terrifying me.

“Not if she doesn’t want you to. She’ll do what she thinks is best.” His jaw sets. “No matter how hard we protest.”

“Why? I don’t understand that?”

“She’ll protect you before she will herself.” Ridge smirks. “Even though that’s all we want to do for them.”

“I’d do anything for her.” I rub my chest hoping to relieve the tightness, so I can breathe again with this newfound hope of seeing her. Maybe I can talk her out of this, and she’ll come home.

“That’s why she’s done what she has; try to remember that.” He holds his hand out, and I take it. “Good luck.”

“Thank you.” I release his hand, grabbing my door and sliding into my seat.

I buckle up and hit 65 N, hoping to make it to her before nightfall. I’m cruising 701 by dusk and rolling down 401 by the time the street lights come on. I turn down what feels like a hundred roads before I find hers.

I come to a stop just before her driveway. I search the lot for her truck, finally spotting it on the end furthest away from me. I circle the street, pulling in beside her. Closing my eyes, I take a minute to work up the nerve to confront her.

“She’s going to say and do anything and everything to get you to leave. Don’t believe her until you have the truth and she understands you’re not going anywhere without her.”

I grab my door handle and jump out. Taking the stairs two at a time, my heart begins to race. I pause at the top and try to slow my breathing. I run my hand through my hair and step forward.

My hand begins to shake as I knock on her door. It feels like a lifetime passes while I wait. The memory of the first time I saw her flashes before my eyes. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever laid eyes on.

Suddenly, I remember our introduction to middle school and the moment I realized she was actually a girl. High school brought on an entirely new set of feelings. I fell in love with her.

It’s not that I didn’t love her in middle school, I loved her just as much then, but the way she made me feel was so different. It was more than anything I had ever felt in my life.

I had found my soul mate, my one true love.

The handle begins to turn, and I step back just as it swings wide. Her eyes lock with mine, and I freeze. Mackenzie stares at me, shocked and confused. I start to speak when her face suddenly falls, taking my hopes and dreams with it.

“What are you doing here, Boone?” She averts her eyes, and I stumble through my words.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” She rubs her brow, wincing. “How did you find me?”

I rear back on my heels, ready to storm the door. “Does it matter?”