Page 2 of Rumor Has It

Years of being bullied for who I was or wasn’t, finally became more than I could take. Never being good enough for one of their ‘own’ was the end of the rope for me. There was no way I could stay now.

I had the world in the palm of my hand, and in a blink of an eye, it was gone. Lies and tall tales filled every corner of the sleepy little oceanside village with people judging me constantly.

Had I never fell in love with Boone, my life would be so different. I would’ve stayed, and never have hurt him the way I did. But I allowed years of torment, and ridicule to tear apart the one true thing in my life.

That was then, now I’m faced with every mistake I’ve ever made and it isn’t pretty. Staying seemed impossible at the time, such a simple thing to have the implications it holds now.

I turned my back on the greatest love of my life, and the only family I’ve ever known. I’ve regretted my choices long enough, it’s time I clean up the mess I’ve made.

Hopefully, grace will lead the way and forgiveness will accompany it.

“I know, and I’m coming back for all the right reasons.” I chew my nail as I try to convince myself it’s true.

But leave it Ridge to put it where it belongs. “Well hell, Mack, if you only come back to tell everyone to kiss your ass, do it with everything you’ve got!”

“That’s a thought.” I giggle with him.

“You know what I mean, there’s only two people you owe a damn thing to besides yourself and I know for fact, he’ll be okay.” Ridge’s words bring me up short. I’m not the only one that’s made questionable decisions.

“Is there something you’re not telling me?” I wait with baited breath, not sure what I want the answer to be.

“No, Mack.” There’s a long pause. “I’m only saying, you’re doing the right thing for everyone involved.”

“It’s so much more than telling everyone who’s ever done me harm to kiss off. The entire time I was there, they made me feel as though I wasn’t enough. I was convinced I wasn’t enough and that I’d never be. I can’t allow it to happen again, no matter who it hurts.”

“He wasn’t the only one hurt. You’ve been through enough hell in this lifetime to make anyone want to run away. C’mon girl, boots to ass! Or as Maisyn would say, ‘head up, heels on, and strut into this town like you own it!’” Ridge says with what I can only imagine is a snap of his fingers, just like Maisyn taught us.

“I know you’re right, it’s time.” I release my long held breath. “And I’m not settling for less than what I deserve.”