Rumor Has It (Rumor Has It #1)(27)

“I’m going first,” Micah says, seeming more alert now that I broke the silence. “Once we find out who this guy is, I’m kicking his ass.”

He looks as hurt and pissed off as I feel. “Thanks.”

Lana reaches over, holding my hand. “And then, once he’s done kicking his ass, I’m going to kick him in the nuts until they fall off.”

I have to laugh. I love my friends. “Seriously, guys, I’m okay.”

“Yes, chocolate cures all,” Jen says proudly.

“That’s just so lame! Ugh, stupid boys!” Lana shouts.

“Hey.” Micah nudges her, making her wrap her arms around him.

“Except you, baby,” she says before taking a drink. “Oh man, look over there.”

Jen and I turn to see Carter, Lucas, and a couple of their friends walk by. For a minute, I think Carter shoots me a look, but then he resumes talking to his friends.

"Rumor has it Carter Dixon's got love bugs."

“Ew.” I look at her. “What?”

“Crabs. Sarah Donovan was telling people yesterday. She’s not sure, I guess she’s going to the doctors today, but she’s saying Carter gave them to her.”

“That’s disgusting.”

Suddenly I feel a little better about what I said yesterday. I still haven't told Jen about talking to him, but I guess there isn't anything to say. I don't know if he was trying to hit on me or what, but I told him off. He deserved it. At least, that's what I keep telling myself, remembering the pained expression on his face as he walked away.





Chapter 19





Carter





There's no easy way of putting this. I feel like shit. No, I feel like the biggest piece of shit the world has ever seen. Not only did I manage to get a girl to tell me off, due to rumors I've been coveting for the past two years, but I managed to hurt the same girl. Effectively standing her up, even though I was there. I'm sure I broke her heart while at the same time, made her go psycho-killer. And I deserve it.

Matt's been begging for me to tell him what happened, but I can't bring myself to do it. The day it happened, we had a game, and to say I blew chunks would be an understatement. I lost the ball multiple times, nearly fouled out of the game, and only shot two of fifteen. Out of fifteen shots, I made two. Two! And I missed all five three-pointers. I didn't even shower after the game, I just grabbed my stuff and went home. Oh yeah, we lost that game.

I know I’m going to see Emma and I have to try and get back on track. I need to text her and apologize, but how do you apologize for screwing up that massively? I have no idea, which is why I haven’t sent anything.

Lucas has to pick up some extra credit, so we walk with him to his class during lunch, and I see Emma, sitting in the quad with her friends. She doesn't look as devastated as yesterday, but she still seems down. Then they all turn around and stare in our direction, so I straighten up, hoping she doesn't see me looking at her. If she does, she'll probably accuse me of checking her out again.

And, of course, when I get to practice, things go from bad to worse for all the wrong reasons. I shoot poorly yet again, but I'm hoping I can find my rhythm before our next game because it's a big one. University High School and they're playing great this year. They're in our division, and if we beat them, we'll be in prime position to make the playoffs.

By the time we get to the lockers after practice, I get a few looks from some of the guys but brush it off. I know I sucked during the game yesterday, but we all have off-nights. I'm not sure what's going on, and then Jeremy walks over, giving me a weird look.

“Sup, Dixon? You feeling okay?”

“Uh, yeah.” I shoot him a look and can swear his eyes flash down to where my towel is wrapped around my waist, before walking away.

“What the hell was that?” I mutter to myself.

Matt walks over to his locker next to mine and nudges my arm. I wait for him to say something, but he just stares at me. “What’s up?”

He looks around the locker and then leans in close to whisper. "You clean?"

"What? Yeah, I just took a shower."

“No, man.” His eyes dart around again. His whisper drops even lower. “I mean, clean. No dick rice going on?”

“What the? Who the hell said I have crabs?”

The words are louder then I mean them to be and Lucas speaks up behind me. “Dude, everyone’s saying it.”

“What the hell?” I look over at Lucas, who shrugs. Now everyone’s attention in the locker room is on me. “No! I don’t have fucking crabs. Who the hell said that?”

Jeremy walks over, pulling his T-shirt down. “I’ll give you one guess. And if she does have them, she’s blaming it on you because you dropped her ass at the bonfire.”

“Shit.” I knew Sarah was pissed that night, but I never thought she’d resort to starting rumors about me. At least, not those kinds of rumors.

“It’s all good, bro.” Jeremy smiles and I look at him like he’s lost his mind. “We got your back. Anyone who asks, we’ll just tell them you caught them from her.”

“What the? No! I don’t have them. Tell people that!”