Rumor Has It (Rumor Has It #1)(50)

The cloud is pain, and the pain is shooting out towards this delicate flower down below. And even though the background is swirling around, chaos rushing around the canvas, the small flower stands fearlessly. Preparing for whatever the storm is bringing. Then I see what I missed before with all the other paintings. A little tag on the wall, citing the artist's name and the name of the piece.

“Heartbreak,” I whisper to myself, immediately feeling horrible.

Heartbreak? Did she decide to paint this when she thought I stood her up? Is this how she felt that day? How long after did she keep feeling like this?

“Carter?”

Emma stands behind me. Her usually straight black hair has slight curls in it, and she's wearing a dark green skirt that sways around her legs, cutting off at the knees. She looks adorable and sexy at the same time. My eyes drink her in, but I can't overcome the sinking pit in my stomach.

“What are you doing here?”

"Oh." I look around. "The bus dropped us off, and I know it's your art show tonight. I thought I'd check it out."

“Really?” She beams. Her fingers fiddle with one another and a cute rosiness hits her cheeks.

“Yeah,” I say, trying to bat down my guilt.

I remember our kiss earlier and offer my hand to her. She looks at it nervously. For a split-second, I think I dreamed what happened before. That I was off in la-la-land, only wishing that we shared that kiss. But she calms my fears, taking my hand.

“This is amazing.” I look back at the painting.

“Really? You like it?”

I nod, then motion to the tag. “Heartbreak? How come you named it that?”

I try to keep my hand from squeezing hers too tightly, as the fear builds back up. When she doesn’t answer at first, I look over to see the hesitation on her face. I know what she’s going to say before she says it.

“I decided to paint it a little bit ago. That day you saw me in the courtyard.”

“It’s so … powerful.”

"I have a confession." She looks over at me, giving me a slight smile.

“Oh yeah?”

“This piece is about you.” My eyes widen. She finally figured it out. “I mean, not totally. But a piece of it, um, you kind of inspired.” She seems calm. And she’s still holding my hand. Would she be doing that if she knew? “You see the flower?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s you.” My fears halt, replaced by curiosity. “Sorry, you’re not the flower.” She giggles. “I mean, this whole thing, it is powerful. But, um …” She looks down at our intertwined fingers, gripping my hand a little tighter. “Well, okay, the flower is me. And the gold and silver in it? That’s you.”

I look back at the painting and see all the chaos and confusion of it. Then the flower, lined with gold and silver. It reminds me of strength. Hope. Does she mean I give her hope? Me, Carter? Not Baller? I grin as my confidence returns.

"So, the flower's you?" I ask, and she nods. "And I'm the silver and gold in the flower?” I arch an eyebrow, making her cheeks blush.

“Oh my God, Carter!” She slaps my arm. “That’s so not what I meant.”

“Sorry.” I laugh. “So, I’m on the flower.”

She pulls her hand away, crossing her arms. She shoots me an angry stare, but her smile tells me she isn't really mad. "Again, not funny."

“I’m kidding.” Pulling her closer, I’m pleasantly surprised by how natural it feels. And how easy her arms wrap around me. “Seriously. It’s beautiful. You’re beautiful.”

Leaning over to kiss her, I'm not sure who is around, but I don't care. Her hands come to my face, and the skin warms where her fingers touch my cheeks. The smell from when we kissed earlier returns, and I never want to forget it. Our lips only touch for a moment before someone clears their throat behind us.

“Didn’t you two get enough of that during lunch?”

Emma breaks away, embarrassed. I grin at her shyness, before looking over at Jen. “Wait, how do you—”

“BFF,” Jen says proudly. “And not that I like interrupting my bestie playing tonsil hockey, but Ms. Hales is asking for you, Emma.”

I smirk as I watch Emma's reaction. She looks like she wants to rip Jen's hair out. They're complete opposites, but I can see why they're best friends. They even each other out.

“I guess I better go.” Emma looks up at me with a disappointed look.

“Yeah, I better get home.” I hold on to her hand, as Jen walks away. “I’ll see you on Monday.”

“Okay.” She smiles, and I lean over and give her one more kiss. Taking in another breath of her scent, I hope it’ll tide me over for the weekend.

Getting to my car, I gaze down at my phone. The endgame is in sight. I'm glad she didn't remember to ask for my number. Hopefully, she won't ask anyone else for it. I've won her over, and now it's time for the final stage of my plan—revealing myself as Baller. I'm just praying that once that happens, she doesn't go back to hating me.





Chapter 34





Emma





To say I'm on cloud nine would be an understatement. Maybe cloud ninety? Nine hundred? As soon as I reached the lunch table the day of the art show, I spilled my guts to everyone, not just Jen. I couldn't help it. I was bubbling over. Micah looked at me like a concerned older brother, while both Lana and Jen fawned and squealed with excitement. I kissed Carter! Carter kissed me! And if that wasn't enough, then he went out of his way to visit the art show. And we kissed again! It's insane, and I'm most shocked by the fact that I didn't act like a blubbering idiot. Probably because other than these past few weeks, I've only ever treated him like a sleaze-ball flirt, something I do feel a little bad about now because we're … I don't know. A thing!