Rumor Has It (Rumor Has It #1)(55)

Emerald22: That’s none of ur biz

BigBaller27: I know. I’m sorry :(

BigBaller27: Okay, I tell you what. If u do show up, I’ll be there

Emerald22: I will be there because the guy I'm seeing is my bf now. He's on the team





Why do I feel compelled to tell him that? Maybe because then he’ll get the hint that these text messages should end. I’m about to delete the messages, as the next text comes in.

BigBaller27: He’s on the team?! Wow…

BigBaller27: Well, there are some cool guys on the team. I know Lucas Mitchell

BigBaller27: Just please don’t tell me it’s Carter Dixon or Jeremy McCormick. Those two are doucheheads





My mouth drops as I stop outside the art room, letting out a loud scoff.

Emerald22: Y r u being such an ass?

Emerald22: I already told you I’ll be there and I have a bf. As far as I’m concerned, we’re done talking!

BigBaller27: Ur right. I’m sorry. Plz don’t be mad :(





I don’t answer.

BigBaller27: Plz :’(





I want to be upset because he's never been so rude before, but my default mode kicks in, looking at it from his side. What if he was telling me he had a girlfriend now, and I was the one pushing to meet still? Would I be feeling the same thing as him? Probably.

Emerald22: It’s fine. But srsly, I don’t think we should text anymore. I’m sorry

BigBaller27: :(

BigBaller27: I understand. If you want to meet at the game though, just to find out and be friends, I’ll be there. I’ll be wearing a wearing a red headband





I walk into the art room and stare at my phone as the bell rings. I feel like I should type back. Maybe tell him not to go or that I won't be looking for him. But I don't text anything back. Instead, I finally delete our entire conversation and his number.





“But what if I see him?” I ask, fidgeting with my hoodie, as Jen sits on my bed.

I told her everything. How Carter and I are official now, and he wants me at the game, but how Baller also texted me and said he'd be there too. The only thing I didn't tell her is that Carter told me he loved me, because … I don't know. It rattled around my brain the rest of the day, and now that we’re about to go to the game, I still don’t know how to feel about it. I’m not freaked out. I know we seem to have a connection, but am I in love? The question returns my thoughts to Baller who, even though I deleted all of our text messages, I still feel a connection with too. Which is why I’m freaking out over him being at the game.

“Then ignore him,” Jen commands, as she gets up from the bed and browses through my makeup. “You’ll know who he is, and he won’t know who you are. But honestly, I want you to point him out to me, okay?”

“Why?”

“I wasn’t kidding, Emma.” She gives me a serious look. “That guy is gonna get kicked so hard he might never be able to have kids.”

Laughter bubbles out. I’m well past being angry at him for standing me up, so even if I do see him, I don’t think I’ll tell Jen who he is. I don’t hate him that much.

When we get to the gym, I scan everyone for a red headband. Even standing in line to get our tickets, I keep looking around, cursing myself every time I do, because I don’t know what I’ll do if I see him. Just ignore him? Go over and introduce myself? I have no idea.

Once we get inside, I’m still scanning the crowd, so it doesn’t register that our team and the other school is on the court. Not until Carter comes running over.

"Hey, gorgeous," he says quickly, running by me with a basketball.

I spin on my heels, keeping my eyes locked on him. He stops running and jumps, shooting the ball. I want to say he makes it, but I have no idea because my eyes are solely on him. His shoulders glisten as he keeps his arms raised. He turns back around, looks over at me and grins, giving me a wink. My knees wobble.

“Okay,” Jen tugs at my arm and gets me moving again. “Someone’s gone lovesick.”

If I were thinking more coherently, I would shush her, but I'm not. As we find seats in the bleachers, I can't stop watching him run around the court. Once the game starts, it's the same.

I don't know the rules of basketball. I know the teams go back and forth, shooting the ball, trying to score points. That's pretty much it. But even knowing next to nothing about the game, I'm transfixed. I keep my eyes glued to the court, watching Carter as he runs around, passing and shooting the ball. I know who some of the other players are, like Matt and Lucas. But for the most part, my eyes are locked on Carter.

"Emma, if you keep staring like that, you're gonna burst into flames." Jen pokes me in the ribs.

“Sorry.” I finally break my line of sight, feeling my cheeks get hot.

“It’s all good, girl. Franco looks amazing out there.”

I find Franco on the court, and I can admit he is good looking. He has black hair that's trimmed in a buzz cut, and he's definitely fit, but it's not the same as Carter. The hair that's usually poofy on top has become sweaty, sticking to his forehead.

“Hey, so have you seen him?” Jen asks.