Rumor Has It (Rumor Has It #1)(37)

“Yeah.” Jeremy flashes a triumphant grin.

“What?” Lucas asks, his eyes floating back and forth between Jeremy and me.

Jeremy's in his element now. Acting like the big man on campus. I know it bothered him when I was named the captain, but seeing how he smugly looks around, I never realized just how much he hated not being known as captain of the team. Hell, not just the team, but all of us that hung around each other.

His smug expression hits me first before he looks around the locker room. "First off, in the vein of being honest, before I say this I want everyone to know Carter said it was cool. What were the words, Carter? ‘Sloppy seconds'?"

“Jeremy.” I shake my head. “It’s not a big deal.”

He looks at me like I just set someone on fire. “Not a big deal? You’re captain, asshole. If you lied about that, what the hell else would you lie about? So, yeah. I hooked up with Sarah Donovan.” Whispers hit the air, but I keep my eyes locked on him. “And guess what she had to say? Our captain here, Mr. Ladies’ Man, ain’t such a ladies’ man.”

“Jeremy,” Matt says, urging him to stop.

He shoots Matt a look and then looks back at me. “Oh, well at least one person knew the truth.”

“What the hell you talking about, McCormick?” Someone says behind me.

“Carter Dixon, Mr. Playboy of our senior class, is nothing but a liar. He never hooked up with Sarah at homecoming. They fingered each other a bit and then got caught.”

“You’re such an asshole,” I mutter.

I'm not mad at the secret being let out, even if it is embarrassing. I'm more upset at Jeremy and how he's acting.

“So, tell us, Carter?” He flashes a cocky grin. “How much of what happened with Alicia Thompson is true? And how about Hillary Grayson? Oh, and what about—”

“Shut up, Jeremy!” Matt yells.

The silence fills the locker, and I take a long breath. Everyone's staring at me, and it's right now that I have a moment of clarity. Why the hell did I let the rumors take over my life? Why have I been so obsessed with wanting to be looked at as Mr. Cool? Who cares if I hooked up, had sex with, or even just made out with one girl or a dozen? What the hell did it mean? Nothing, in the grand scheme of things.

I stare back at Jeremy, his smug smile still in place. “Fine. You know what, you’re right. I didn’t bang Sarah at homecoming. Me and Hill just exchanged numbers. And all I did with Alicia was make out with her. Who the hell cares?”

"I do. Not only are you our captain, but you're also my friend."

I let out a loud, incredulous scoff. “Friend? Are shitting me? What kind of friend asks another friend if it’s okay if they hook up with an ex?”

“She wasn’t an ex. You didn’t even have sex.”

“It doesn’t matter! I’d have never done that to you. Go after a girl you had just gone out with.” A thought hits me. One I should ignore, but I don’t. “Oh, and by the way, she was probably just hooking up with you to make me jealous.”

“Fuck you. I could get any girl I want. Including those two you kept eyeing during practice.”

And just like that, I snap. Even if he doesn’t say her name, he’s talking about Emma. About trying to get with her. I lose it and launch myself at him, my fist nailing the side of his cheek.

Before anyone can move, he throws a punch, hitting me under the left eye. A couple more punches are thrown before everyone swarms, getting between us. We both yell more expletives at one another, swinging wildly.

“Hey! Hey!” A whistle blows, followed by more shouting.

When the dust settles, Matt is standing in front of me, with Franco and a couple of others. Lucas is in front of Jeremy and the rest of the team. Between our two groups stands Coach Hallinan.

“What the hell is going on in here?”

“Nothing,” Jeremy mutters, but Coach looks at me, making Jeremy give me an even angrier look.

“Yeah, nothing.” I scowl back at him.

“Well, this better be the last nothing that I have to separate. Get your guys shit together by tomorrow, or else this nothing will turn into something. Like suspensions."

“Yes, sir,” I mutter, still staring at Jeremy.

As everyone changes and starts leaving the locker room, I let everyone clear out before going. I catch a some of the glances from the guys, as I walk to the parking lot. Some are staring at me like I'm a liar, while others look at me like I'm pathetic. I feel like both. And I can only imagine what the rumors are going to be once we get back to school.





Chapter 26





Emma





As we go over the layout of how the gallery will be set up, Jen keeps making remarks about Carter, who she says keeps looking over at me. Then she goes on about Franco and how hot he is. Especially since he isn’t wearing a jersey.

She also makes it a point to tell me she's already heard from three different people about rumors going around about Carter and me. Specifically, how Carter Dixon is now going out with the ‘art girl', Emma. I try to tell her it's nothing, but she continues to give me suspicious looks, unsure if I'm being honest with her. I keep shushing her while we're in the gym, hoping none of the basketball players, especially Carter, hear her. Thankfully, Micah seems to be oblivious to all of it.