Rumor Has It (Rumor Has It #1)(19)

“He is fine though,” Jen says.

“Mmm hmm,” Lana adds, catching us both off guard, as we look at her. “What? Micah’s friends with Taylor. We’ve gone to a couple of their basketball games this year.”

“So, what?” Jen wiggles her eyebrows, elbowing her in the side. “When Micah gets up to use the bathroom, you just fantasize about the varsity basketball team?”

Lana smiles, raising her chin in confidence. “Hey, just because I have my dinner, doesn’t mean I can’t look at the menu.”

We all unleash a flurry of laughs again, making our way to another store. As we continue to window shop, I'm hit with an idea. Maybe something that will give me a firm yes or no on whether I should advance this and finally meet him, or just drop it all together. I think we need to share a secret.





Chapter 13





Carter





We have a basketball tournament over the weekend, so I tell Emerald my text messages will probably be sporadic. When she replied about sending her a selfie from the beach party, I wanted to say to her we should finally meet. But I don't know how to bring it up without making it seem weird. If she did freak out that last time I brought it up, I need to tread lightly.

The basketball tournament is in Bakersfield, and even though we win a game, we don't play very well. The only good thing about it is that since it's a tournament, it doesn't count against out win/loss record, so we still have a chance at making the playoffs. Most of us are bummed on the bus ride home, but that doesn’t stop Jeremy from bringing up Tamara’s beach party.

“Dude, I just want to go home.”

“Don’t be lame,” Jeremy says as he munches on some chips. “It’s the perfect thing to get our mind off this lousy tournament.”

I start to shake my head when Matt chimes in. "Yeah, come on. It's not like you got a girl waiting for you."

I narrow my eyes at him while he chuckles to himself.

Jeremy looks over at me. "I heard Sarah, and her friends are gonna be there."

“Ugh.” I close my eyes, leaning back. “Have at it, bro, she’s more than willing to hook up with anyone.”

"And you would know." I want to argue but know I can't without revealing the truth. "They're gonna have a bonfire, Carter. Perfect lead to warming up the body."

“Come on, man,” Matt says a little lower, leaning back in the seat next to me. “Who knows if you’re even ever going to meet …” He shoots me a confused look. “Damn, what do you even call her?”

“Emerald,” I whisper.

"You got her name? Sounds like a stripper name."

I let out a laugh. “No, man. It’s her handle. Emerald22. I just call her Emerald.”

“Fine.” He lets out a sigh. “But seriously, if she hasn’t brought up meeting you yet and it’s already been a week, how long is this thing going to go on? You willing to date a girl through texting forever?”

It's not like I haven't thought about that. I have. But I'm still not sure what my answer is. If I knew who she was, then it might be different. I'd be able to see her and talk to her. As much as I love learning new things about her and learning who she is, how long can we go on just texting back and forth, not even exchanging names? Matt nudges my arm, handing me a bag of beef jerky.

“Okay,” I answer. “Let’s hit the party tonight. Just promise to try and keep Sarah off my jock. Ever since homecoming, she’s wanted to finish what we started.”

“Hey, you never did answer me about why you guys never finished.” I look at him confused. He knows the story and how we got interrupted. “No, I don’t mean in the bathroom. I just mean, you know, in general?”

I stare at the seat in front of me, thinking about it for a second. I know Matt will get it, so I keep my voice low.

“Was it insanely hot? Yeah. But, dude, the day I asked her to the dance, she already wanted to hook up. Like, literally. She texted me that night. I was the one who said we should wait until we knew each other a little better. Not that I’m not down for a good time, but come on. It just made me wonder who the hell else she’s hooked up with?”

A big reason Matt is my best friend is that we kind of think alike. Most guys would've been totally down to hook up with Sarah that first night. And hey, to each their own. But honestly, I've never been like that, despite the rumors I've embraced.

And the rumors were running rampant through Woodbridge. Everything from how many girls I've been with, to what classrooms we've hooked up in. After homecoming, they went ballistic. It's like one little spark at homecoming unleashed a raging inferno, and I did nothing to quell the flames. I liked that it helped boost my reputation as one of the most popular guys in school. Who cares if Matt and I are the only ones that know the truth. So what, if some people thought it made me a manwhore or some cocky douche. You can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs.

By the time we get back home, the sun is starting to go down. I'm still debating with myself about going to the beach party, but I told Matt I'd pick him up and don't want to hear him complain, so I throw on some shorts and a hoody. It'll probably be a little chilly on the beach, but with the bonfire, the hoodie should be good enough.