Rumor Has It (Rumor Has It #1)(35)

“It’s okay,” I answer, putting away the painting. “Yeah, I can do that.”

“Thank you. He’s got the paperwork with the plans how I think it will look best, but if you guys think of anything that would make it better, just make a note of it.”

“Okay.”

“Thanks, Emma.”

Heading over to the gym, I send a message to Jen.

Emma: Hey, I gotta meet Micah at the gym, to go over gallery stuff. Can you wait?

Jen: Sure. Actually, I’ll meet you there.

Emma: U sure?

Jen: Absolutely. The varsity team is practicing. Hopefully, it's shirts vs skins ;P





I get to the gym but don’t see Micah anywhere, as Jen walks over from the student parking lot.

“Sorry.”

"No biggie. I'm super excited about your art show."

“Jen, it’s not my art show. It’s our classes.”

“Yeah.” She wraps her hands around my arm. “But your work is the only stuff I want to see.”

I let out a giggle. “Don’t let Micah hear that.”

Walking inside, I’m hit front and center with the sight that Jen must have been talking about. I don’t know much about sports, much less basketball. So, when Jen said ‘shirts vs skins’ I didn’t give it a second thought. But taking up half the basketball court is a gaggle of guys. Half of them shirtless. Including Carter.

Our laughter echoes through the gym, along with the bouncing of a basketball that suddenly stops. All of them turn around, and my eyes stay locked on Carter. Basketball shorts dropping low with no shirt on. Like, shirtless. You know, his chest and abs not covered by any clothing. Whatsoever.

“I think you’re drooling, Emma,” Jen whispers, laughter in her voice.

“Shut up.” I finally look away and can feel my face getting hot.

If the butterflies I felt earlier were just nerves of talking to someone I don't usually talk to, the colossal bowling ball of jitters jumping in my stomach is definitely from me checking him out.

"Emma! Jen!" Micah calls out and waves us over.

As we walk over, I can't resist looking over at Carter again. The sweat glistens off his face, and my eyes roam over his chest. I felt how firm it was the day I ran into him, but not those abs. Wow. His eyes met mine, and he flashes that single-dimple grin that I'm starting to like more and more, but it forces me to look away again.

"Yum," Jen whispers in my ear, and I giggle, even though I know I'm turning red.





Chapter 25





Carter





Damn. Damn in the best and worst possible way that the word could ever be imagined.

As the laughs hit the gym, everyone turns around. If there are cheerleaders in the gym while we practice, they usually have their own practice going on. When the echoing laughter of girls hit the air, we all stop and turn to see who it is. And there she is. Emma. Walking hand in hand with her friend and they're both looking over at us. Then my eyes meet hers, and it looks like she's blushing. Could Emma have feelings for me? Like, me me? Even if she did, I still have some ways to go to win her over, but our conversation while we walked to history seemed like a good first step.

I hold the ball, my eyes still watching her as she and her two friends look over an area of the gym. I know the guy is Micah but know him only in name only. The girl is Jennifer Harris, star drama student of Woodbridge. I’m pretty sure Lucas has a major crush on her, though he never says anything. The only reason I know is because he seems to go catatonic whenever she’s around.

Spinning the ball in my hands, I watch as they look at some papers Micah’s holding. Emma is wearing little shorts with a light hoodie today, and those tan legs look amazing, even with little spots of paint on them. I can feel my face getting red, and I'm just about to turn away when a whistle blows—loudly—right in front of me.

“Yes, yes, it’s girls!” Coach Hallinan screams. We turn around, trying to hide our embarrassment. “Which is why I told you guys its half-court press today. The art class is going over things for their art show coming up, so we’re sticking to this side.” He turns around. “Now, if you morons can remember how to bounce a ball, let’s get back to it.”

Matt walks over to me. “Well, well.”

"Shut it."

He smiles and goes back to playing defense. Lucas and I are going over offensive plays and were assigned the skins team, which is why we don't have our jerseys on. Happy to try and take my mind of Emma, I can see him checking Jen out over my shoulder.

"What's the deal with you two, anyway? She seems to avoid you, but you can't keep your eyes off her. Why don't you just ask her out?"

“It’s … complicated.” He lets the word hang there, trying not to look over at her, but his expression is pained. I don’t want to push it, especially in the middle of practice around the guys, so I drop it.

“Today, gentleman!” Coach yells out and blows his whistle again.

Practice starts up again, and I do everything I can to forget Emma is standing behind me, but I can’t. I can’t forget it, which means I can’t play. I physically can’t. I’m losing the ball, slipping on the court, and I miss every shot I take.