Rumor Has It (Rumor Has It #1)(45)

“Oh, you two must be getting close?”

“No.” I bite my lip, avoiding eye contact. “He’s just walked me to art a few times.”

“A few times?” Her look goes from suspicious to slightly hurt. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Jen, there’s nothing to tell. He just does it for some reason. It’s right after history. You know, the class we have together.”

“Yeah, right. For some reason.”

“It’s not a big deal.”

“No, it’s not. But you seem awfully disappointed he’s not here today.”

“I am not.” I cross my arms.

Micah gives me a funny look, while Lana and Jen both look at me like I'm lying. I'm so not ready to have a conversation about liking Carter right now.

“Anyways, they’re playing Beckman.” Micah ignores our banter. “Since it’s just across town, they didn’t have to miss class.” He looks around the gym. “Ms. Hales says we’re gonna have ten to fifteen dividers. Each wall can hold anywhere from three to six paintings, depending on the size of the piece. You’re the only person who’s gone as big as six feet.”

“Yeah, she likes ‘em tall,” Jen snarks, sticking her tongue out at me.

I groan, rolling my eyes. “You are so funny.”





Chapter 31





Carter





I spend half the week trying to get to that moment I felt on Monday. The moment where I had Emma right in front of me, ready to tell her everything. That I’m BigBaller27. But I can’t do it.

Walking her to class is something she doesn't seem to mind, so that's a good sign. I've been bringing Baller up, trying to see how much she still feels for him, er, me. I haven't texted her anymore because I'm focusing on trying to win her over as myself. On our way to her class, it finally hits me. The idea. A way to finally confess everything to her, if I can pull it off and that's a big if.

After history class, I wait for her as I have throughout the week. Only now she seems a little uneasy about it.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“Yeah.” She nods, then looks around. “You know, you don’t have to keep walking me to art. I know your last class is all the way across campus.”

“I don’t mind.” I shrug. “I look at it as a win/win.”

“Win/win?”

“I get a head start on practice after school, by running across campus before my last class and I get to hang out with a cute girl like you.”

She blushes but rolls her eyes at me. I have to remind myself to play it cool. This plan is like walking a tightrope.

“Anyways, I was thinking about you yesterday.” Jeez, Carter. You’re supposed to play it cool!

“Really?”

“Yeah, um … I mean, about you and the art show.”

“Oh.” She seems confused. This is not off to a great start.

“Anyways, it’s this Friday night, right?” She nods. “So, I was thinking, and I know this is none of my business but … I don’t think you should wait for this Baller guy to ask to meet you.”

“I don’t know.” She looks to the ground, shaking her head. “I was the one who brought up meeting him the first time. What if he bails again? What if he’s decided he doesn’t want to meet? It’s not like he’s been in contact all that much lately.”

Shit. I was trying not to text her because I didn't want her liking him more than me. Which, on the one hand, makes complete sense and on the other hand makes absolutely no sense. I never thought about the possibility of her feeling like I didn't like her anymore because my texting had gone cold.

“Yeah, that is weird. But, it’s your art show. I mean, you’ve been working on these pieces for a while, right?”

“Yeah.”

"And it means something to you. So, maybe this would light a fire under his ass or something, and he'll finally realize how special you are." She stops and stares at me as if trying to understand my words. "What?"

“It’s just … never mind.”

“What?” I egg her on, smiling and bumping her shoulder.

“Sometimes, when you say things, you seem … nothing. Forget it.”

“What is it, Emma?”

She stops walking and turns to face me. "Okay, I'm going to do something totally out of character, and I need you to be honest with me?"

“Okay?” I reply nervously, wondering if she’s figured everything out.

"Sometimes you say things, and I think you're," she swallows nervously, "ugh. Sometimes I think you're flirting with me. But then you stop, and you talk about this guy, who I don't know as if you're trying to hook us up?"

The words come out fast and when she stops speaking the redness in her cheeks is getting brighter. I take a breath. My words have to be honest. But I want her to like me, not Texting Me.

“Truth?”

“Truth.”

“Emma, I think you’re awesome. Amazing.”

“And you’d know this how?”

"I just do." I let those words hang in the air, staring at her, wishing I could kiss her. She's so beautiful, inside and out. This plan has to work. It has to. "But, I know you don't see me like that. And you know my deal, all the rumors, and everything. If you like this Big Baller guy, then I say make a move. You should get everything you want, Emma."