Rumor Has It (Rumor Has It #1)(38)

Jen's so sure I'm keeping the truth from her, she brings it up again after we go to the movies.

“Come on, Emma, spill the beans already,” she whines, as we walk out of the theatre.

"Jen, there's nothing to spill. I told you in the gym; we walked to class after lunch."

“See, you said that,” she says as we walk to a Starbucks next to the theatre. “But, I was thinking about that. You didn’t tell us you were meeting him for lunch. And you spent the entire lunch together, going over homework? This is Carter we’re talking about.”

“I know who we’re talking about. He’s actually really smart. Did you know he’s got nearly a 4.0 GPA?”

"Really? So, he's hot and smart. That's a plus." I roll my eyes as she laughs. "What? You can't tell me you didn't think that while going over homework.” She makes air quotes with her fingers.

“Why is it so unbelievable that’s all we were doing? Don’t you think I’d tell you if it was something else.”

“You would, and to be honest, I don’t think it’s unbelievable. Going over homework is such an Emma thing.” She smirks. “But I saw him looking at us when we were in the gym. He was definitely checking you out.”

She takes a step forward to the barista behind the counter, and I think back to lunch and the gym. Why in the world would Carter be checking me out? Yes, he seemed to be flirting a little during lunch, but it's Carter. That's what he does. Plus, it's not like I was dressed in anything special. Not like him, half-naked and sweaty—No, Emma. Stop that.

“And you weren’t too subtle where your eyes were going either,” she adds.

"What?" My voice is about three octaves higher than usual. I guess she did notice.

She steps out of the way, smiling at me while I order my drink. After I order, I make my way over to the table she’s at.

"Hey, no judgments. I was checking him out too. But, Franco?" She closes her eyes, and I don't have to imagine very hard to know what she's thinking. "I always thought it's the football players that were fit. I should've figured basketball players look just as fine all hot and sweaty."

“Yeah.” I giggle. “Must be the cardio.”

I mean my comment in all sincerity, but of course, leave it to Jen to make an innuendo out of it. “Yeah, they must have some good stamina.”

"Jen." I scoff at her when the barista calls our names and she goes to gets our drinks.

As she walks away, my phone goes off.

BigBaller27: How’s ur weekend starting?

Emerald22: So far so good. Just went to the movies.

BigBaller27: Nice.





I’m not sure how or what to respond. Ever since the stand-up, we haven’t texted very much. And when we have, it’s been quick and not really in depth.

“Who’s that?” Jen asks, setting my passion iced tea in front of me.

“Oh, no one.” I switch my phone off.

Sitting in front of me, she gives me a suspicious look. “Emma?”

“What?”

“Did you get Carter’s number?”

“Of course not.” I look at her like she’s crazy. “That wasn’t Carter.”

“Then who was it?”

"Jen, I don't need to tell you every single person that texts me."

“That’s true, but you usually do. So, it begs the question; Who was that?”

“It’s no one.”

She gasps. “No way.”

I clench my phone tightly. "What?"

“Emma, you cannot be serious. You are not texting that bastard still.” I look down at my phone, defeated. “That guy is such a scumbag. Why would you text him still?”

“I don’t know. He’s nice, Jen. I know he didn’t show up that day, but there’s got to be more to the story than him just not showing up. There must be a reason. I want to know why.”

“Then tell him to tell you.”

“He already said he couldn’t.”

“That’s lame. Give me your phone.”

“No. Why?”

"Because I'll tell him to tell you what happened that day or he can go to hell."

"Yeah, I'm sure that would go over very well." She stares at me, holding out her hand. "What? Are you serious? No way."

“Emma, that’s the only way this is going to end.”

On the one hand, I believe her. And if this is nothing more than two friends, I do want to know. But on the other hand, if I come across super rude, then he might never text me again. Do I really want that to happen?

“Hold on.” I hold up a finger and switch my phone back on.

Emerald22: Hey, my friend wants to talk to u





“What are you doing?” Jen asks.

“I’m letting him know that you’re gonna be texting, not me.”

BigBaller27: Ok???





I nervously stare at my phone as I hand it to her. Something devious and wicked comes across her face. It’s almost like a smile, but at the same time, it’s sinister. Jen’s been my best friend for years, so I know how angry she can get if someone pisses her off. I also know the lengths she’ll go to when she has someone’s back. Her fingers work quickly, as she starts typing her message. Once she’s done, I watch her reading over her message before she hits send.