Rumor Has It (Rumor Has It #1)(25)

“God,” she snaps at me. “Stop staring at me. You do it enough during history.”

All thoughts of trying to cheer her up vanish as I look down at her, confused. “Excuse me?”

Putting her sketchbook in her bag, she stands up. “You heard me. Ogling me like I’m a piece of meat. All you stupid guys do it. It’s disgusting.”

Okay, she’s pissed off. That’s understandable, but I don’t want to be looped in with every guy in school. Guys like Jeremy, who actually did check out every girl’s ass that walked by.

“Ogling? Really?”

“Yes, really.”

She has every right to be annoyed. I know she’s hurting and feeling stood up, but I can’t stop the next words that come out. “Oh, and you don’t think whoever you’re waiting for—Mr. Perfect—isn’t gonna want to ogle you?”

Her eyes met mine. “Maybe, but that’s different.”

“Are you serious? How?”

“It just is.”

"Wait, so he can ogle you, but I can't ogle you?"

“Stop saying ogle.” She puts a finger in my face.

She’s inches away from my face. I see the tiny scar on her chin, almost like a cute dimple. And I can smell her. She smells like roses and some type of fruit. Is it a body spray? Perfume? As my eyes meet hers, she looks like she’s going to tear my head off.

“Fine, he can check you out, but I can’t?”

“Yes. Exactly.”

“Why?”

“I told you, it’s different. He’s different. I know him.”

A cocky smile crosses my lips. She does know me, more than almost anyone. Why can’t she see that I’m standing right in front of her? Oh, that’s right, because she hates me.

“You know him? How much?”

“It doesn’t matter, okay?” She turns around and starts walking away. “He’s nice.”

Oh, that does it. I’m totally offended, in a confusing kind of way. I run in front of her, stopping her path. “I’m nice!”

“No, you’re a douche. And a flirt. And a horndog.” She stares at me as my jaw drops. “Oh, don’t act all innocent. I know you and your friends. All the pop-jocks, getting whatever they want from the cheerleaders. Like at homecoming.”

“You don’t know anything about me.”

“Yes, I do.”

“Oh, really? Enlighten me.” I fold my arms, waiting for her response.

She narrows her eyes, giving me a wicked smile. "Carter Dixon. Captain of the varsity basketball team. Every girl in school drools over you and you take full advantage of that like you did with Sarah Donovan at homecoming. Alicia Thompson loves giving the details of how you two hooked up over winter break. Oh, and Naomi Aguirre says she lost a pair of panties in the back seat of your car."

I just stare at her. I made out with Alicia that first weekend of winter break, but we never did anything more. I guess she liked to try and boost her rep too. And who the hell is Naomi Aguirre?

"You've probably been with at least a dozen girls this year, and it's disgusting. It doesn't matter how smart you are, Carter. Sleaze-balls like you are in every high school, every year, and yeah, girls are the same. But we're talking about you. It doesn't matter how many baskets you score. You'll still be a high school jock, just trying to get a piece of ass, probably not caring how many hearts get broken along the way. Oh,” her finger presses into my chest as a lump of shame lodges in my throat, “and the way you check out girls needs some work. I always catch you looking at my tits.”

“I …” I try to speak but can’t think of anything.

“Just because you look like you do, and have the talent you possess, doesn’t mean you can get whatever you want.”

She stands there, waiting for my reply, but I have none. There are literally no words. Most of what she said isn't true, but as far as my reputation goes, it is. And I'm the one that let it get to that. I thought it was cool. I thought it'd make me cool. The guys never seemed to mind. The girls didn't mind either. But to the one girl I cared about it did matter, and I have no way of defending myself. It hurts being called out for it, but not as much as knowing that's how she honestly feels about me. While texting I'm one person, a person she believes in and trusts in. But me, Carter, she's disgusted by.

She stares at me for a moment, reveling in the accomplishment of telling me off. I can’t stand to be in front of her, knowing how she really feels about me.

“I … I’m sorry I interrupted you.”





Chapter 18





Emma





For all the timidity I usually possess and being shy around guys I like, if someone gets me mad I have no problem telling them off. To me, getting angry at someone is not the same as flirting with someone. Yes, they both bring out high emotions, but when you're mad at someone, the words come out easier. Like liquid venom. Not that I like being a bitch, but sometimes people just need to be told. I try to convince myself that Carter is one of those people, but he just stands there, looking more stunned and embarrassed than I think I've ever seen him look. A wave of regret washes over me. He looks hurt. No matter how pissed off I am, I shouldn't be taking it out on him. After all, it isn't him I'm mad at.