Page 62 of Rumor Has It

“Why? What in the hell did I do? Do you think I deserve this?” I blanche.

“Let me tell you something, young man.” Mom grinds her jaw. “While you were given a pass, that young woman raised a child, worked a job, and put herself through college. She’s a damn fine woman, whom never deserved to be dragged through the streets for having sex! You’re lucky men don’t get the same treatment.”

My mouth hangs until I can compose myself. “She lied to me. She pushed me away from what might very well be my daughter, and you’re taking her side?”

“I’m not taking anyone’s side; I’m only stating the facts. We don’t agree with how you were treated, as if your wants weren’t important.” She points at me. “But you weren’t here, and you have no clue what was done or said.”

“I applaud her,” Dad interjects. “Mackenzie did what she thought was best, albeit not the greatest idea, but she worked hard to raise her child. Are we hurt that we’ve possibly missed so much? Easy, yes, but in the end, the fact they’re here now is all that matters.”

Stunned, I stumble back. “What? Am I in an alternate universe?”

“Mackenzie loved you and her baby so much, she freed you both.” His brows pull tight. “That child would’ve been, well actually, she was the talk of this town and, ole boy, you were too!”

“That’s right, Boone.” Mom corners me. “You can sit there in all of your morals, judging the hell out of that girl, but she went through so much, and she did it for you and her baby. You can say what you want, but not in this house.”

“I don’t understand.”

Dad shifts, sitting back as he’s clearly uncomfortable. “Kenny lost a lot of business as soon as word spread Mackenzie was pregnant and didn’t know who the father was.”

“You’re kidding me?” I cock my brow, shocked.

“No, we aren’t.” Mom folds her arms. “People thought she should be home with her daughter, helping her make better life choices. You were the subject of many hushed conversations too. Going to the grocery store, to get gas, or even to church wasn’t easy on any of us.”

“That’s why you go somewhere else now?”

“Yes, I’ve never believed we are branded by our mistakes.” She worries her hands. “I was pregnant when we married, so if that’s the case, I’m guilty too.”

“We were pregnant when we got married.” Dad smiles at her sweetly, bringing Mom’s fledgling tears to the surface. “I’ve never regretted it, and that is why I know you would've done the same with Mackenzie. It wouldn't have mattered if the child was yours or not.”

“I wanted to, but she told me the baby wasn’t mine.” I swallow my pride and tell the tale, the one which nearly killed me. “I hate myself for leaving her.”

“We know.” Mom runs her hand over my jaw. “It’s why she did it, or it’s why I think she did. But we also know no matter who the father is, you love them.”

“She looks so much like Mackenzie and you.” Rumor’s face, fresh in mind, causes my heart to clench.

Mom smiles. “She’s you, Boone.”

“I don’t know. People used to tell me that Reed and I could be related, we looked so much alike.” I shrug, dejected. “Maybe I’m seeing what I want to see.”

“I think what your mom is trying to say is, does it matter?” Dad raises his brows.

I shake my head. “No, it never did.”

“You need to talk to her. She came back for a reason.” Mom glances at Dad. “Hopefully, it was for you.”

“I don’t know. We said a lot of things today.” I lower my eyes, ashamed of myself and how I acted. “I wouldn’t blame her if she never spoke to me again.”

“You won’t know until you try.” Mom leans in, putting her arms around me.

Everything in me screams she’s telling me the right thing to do. But she didn’t see Kenzie’s face. She doesn’t know how much pain I inflicted on her with my hurtful words and rejection today. That I did it in front of that little girl, the one who’ll never want to know me now. Because I’m the guy who hurt her mom and made her cry.

***

I text the guys an S.O.S and call for a ride. I picked The Galley because it’s close to home for everyone. I’m at the bar, refusing to wait on the rest. I get two shots and then order three fingers more, begging the amber liquid to put me out of my misery.

“Boone?” A squeal, a pitch higher than annoying, echoes through the place. “Boone Hatcher?”

I spin the stool around and lock eyes with reason number two as to why I’m here and Mackenzie isn’t. “Marla?” I plaster on my fakest smile.