True to You (Rumor Has It series Book 2)

by RH Tucker

  “Fine,” I answer, still shaking my head. “What do you know about me?”

  “What?” She looks back at me, confused.

  “What’s my favorite color?”

  She offers me a blank look, before throwing out a guess. “Blue.”

  “Red.”

  “Whatever—”

  “Where’d I apply to college?”

  “Um, UCI.”

  “I didn’t.”

  “You didn’t?” She sounds less surprised and more appalled.

  “No. What’s my favorite video game?”

  “Video game?”

  “Yes, I like video games. What’s my favorite?”

  “Matt, I don’t—”

  “Legend of Zelda. What’s my favorite comic book?”

  “I’m not—”

  “Saga. This should be an easy one, based on how I’m dressed. What’s my favorite anime?”

  “What’s anime?”

  I let out a disbelieving chuckle. “Exactly.”

  She wraps her hands around my neck tighter as I try to step away, but I’ve had enough. I know who I’m supposed to be dancing with. Who I’m supposed to be with. And it’s not her.

  “Yvette, I’m sorry. Really, I am. I don’t think I ever did anything to give you the wrong idea about us, but if I did, I’m sorry. We aren’t going to be together.” I grab her arms and pry loose from them. “I do hope you find your king someday.”

  Her eyes look hurt, but her mouth drops in disgust. She doesn’t say anything. I don’t know if she turns around and watches me walk past her, or if she just stands there, because I don’t turn around to check. My focus is solely on Izzy, who’s turned around and is talking to her friends.

  Cindy sees me first, and she smiles, then Veronica grins as I tap Izzy on her shoulder. She turns around with a surprised smile.

  “Hey.”

  “Hey,” she answers.

  I offer her my hand. “Would you like to dance?”

  She stares up at me for a moment, then down at my hand with a smile. “I’m not sure. Who’s asking? President McHottie or Hottie McFanboy?”

  “Neither.” She stares back at me, unsure. “Just a nerd asking another nerd to dance.”

  The smile spreads across her lips as she takes my hand. We walk onto the dance floor, as other people have started dancing. Emma gives us both a smile, as she dances with Carter, who nods his head in approval at me again. The song is a slower one, and as she wraps her arms around me, I finally feel like this is exactly where I should be. Where we both should be.

  “Iz, I’m sorry,” I whisper to her.

  “For what?”

  “For being so stupid.” She giggles. “Seriously, I should’ve listened to you from the beginning.”

  “Matt, you don’t have to apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong. I should never have given you that ultimatum. No one should tell someone else how they should live or who they should be. I am glad you’re here in that suit, though.” She smiles. “You’re like my very own sexy Spike.”

  “You look amazing. Of course, you always look amazing.”

  “Thank you.” Her head dips as I see her cheeks blush.

  “I’ve had something rattling around in my brain. Something you said, when you called me fake.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way.”

  “I know. But you said something else. About being honest and true to myself. Honestly, Izzy, I know the things I like, and that’s really enough for me. I’m interning for my dad this summer, and if I did end up going into law, I wouldn’t love it, but I’d do it. I liked playing football, and it was fun and great, but it’s just another thing. Same with student council.”

  She stares at me, trying to understand where I’m going with this.

  “What’s I’m trying to say is, I could be into my nerd stuff in the privacy of my own life and be fine with it. I could hide it forever, and it wouldn’t be a big deal. I don’t know if that makes me stupid or a hypocrite or what, but I would still feel like I’m being true to myself, because all these other things, I like too, you know? But you? Us? This feels like it’s right.

  “This feels like where I should be. I could do all that other stuff and feel like I’m still true to myself. But unless I’m open about it all, whether you ask me to or not, I’d feel like there’s something between us. I don’t want that. And being out here, with you right now? This is my truest self. I’m true to you, and that makes me happiest.”

  Her eyes never break away from mine, and I can see them glistening over. She smiles up at me before shaking her head, looking away with a nervous expression.

  “What?”

  She puts her head on my shoulder, her arms still around me. “I’m scared.”

  I lean back, waiting for her to look up at me. “Of what?”

  “Matt, I … I’m falling for you.”

  I bring my hands up, holding her face in my palms, lowering down, so my lips are only inches from hers. “I already fell.”

  Her breath catches, and our lips connect. I take in everything—her scent, her taste, the feel of her lips on mine and her fingers through my hair. Everything. Tomorrow, next week, or next year. With her is the only place I ever want to be.

  FROM THE AUTHOR

  Thanks so much for reading True to You. When I first wrote Rumor Has It, Matt was just Carter’s best friend. His sidekick. But the more that story progressed, the more Matt came to life. And then Izzy came along and True to You was born.

  If you enjoyed True to You, please consider leaving a rating and/or review. Ratings and reviews help other readers find the book.

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  About the Author

  RH Tucker lives in Southern California, writes contemporaries and urban fantasy, and drinks too much caffeine. If you’d like to connect on social media, just follow the links below!

  For more Info

  www.rhtuckerbooks.com

  Here’s a preview for the next book

  in the Rumor Has It series:

  Heart Shaped Lock

  CHAPTER 1

  Lucas

  If you would have told me at the beginning of the year that I’d be spending my senior prom standing off to the side, without a date, too uncomfortable to go hang out with my two best-friends, I’d have called you crazy. If you would have said that I’d be ignoring one of my best-friends for the last five years because I recently confronted him on how big of dickhead he was, and I’d be feeling like a loser and an outcast, I’d have said you were deranged. I would have checked you in to a mental institution myself, absolutely sure that you were suffering from delusions and were most likely on the edge of schizophrenia.

  But no, it’s not a delusion. It’s not schizophrenia. It’s my life. My actual life.

  “Dude, you’re acting weird.” Jackson bumps my shoulder.

  Jackson Lawrence. We’re not friends. He was on the baseball team with me, so I know him. I mean, we’re friendly, but we’re not friends. I guess beggars can’t be choosers.

  “Come on, let’s dance,” his date says, pulling him away and he follows her out to the dance floor.

  And Sam Patterson, this year’s prom court joke-vote is not only dancing with someone, but they’re making out on the dance floor. Dude, when did I become such a loser?

  One of my friends, Carter, walks over to me with a drink in each hand.

  “What the hell are you doing, Lucas?” He hands me the cup of soda.

  “I know, I know.” I take a drink and then look down at the ground.

  “Just come over and hang out with us. Whatever’s between you and Jen, she’s been with Franco most of the night.”

  “Ugh, don’t remind me.” I roll my eyes and scan the crowd against my better judgement. I find Jen—my neighbor since we were five years old, and up until eighth grade my best friend—hanging all
over Franco Avila.

  Jen’s a knockout. Blonder hair than mine, pouty lips that I’ve thought about way too much, and a cute, upturned nose. She’s a little on the thinner side, but that never bothered me. She has grayish-blue eyes, and tonight she’s wearing this shimmering black and emerald dress that hugs her skin but leaves her shoulders bare. She’s gorgeous. She’s always been gorgeous. And if I hadn’t screwed it up all those years ago, I might be the one out there on the dance floor dancing with her, instead of Franco.

  We’ve kept our distance from each other for the last few years—ever since my stupid, nervous mistake—but it’s not like I’ve forgotten her. It’s hard to forget a girl you’ve been in love with since elementary school.

  “You never told us what the deal is between you two. You should’ve just asked her out, man.”

  Carter and our other friend, Matt, think I only have a crush on her. They don’t know we’re neighbors and that we used to play together when we were little. That we went trick-or-treating together, or that we’d pretend we were drunk off of apple cider during my parents New Year’s Eve parties, or that we used to have sleepovers. All memories I’ve tried to ignore or forget, but they never leave.

  “It’s complicated.”

  Carter chuckles. “Whatever.” He turns to see that I’m staring at her. “She’s been with him all night. Just come over.”

  Earlier this year Carter started going out with Emma, Jen’s best friend. I still hang out with Carter and Matt, but it’s usually during our games, after school, or on the weekends. Jen’s around during school hours, so I just avoid them. It’s easier that way.

  Jen and I haven’t spoken more than five words at one time to each other since middle school, and even though I know it was a mistake, she still hates me for what I did. Ever since then, she’s tried to cease all communication, and I make sure I try not to upset her. I look at it as my way of still trying to be a part of her life, by making sure she doesn’t have to work very hard to ignore me. How ass-backwards is that? See, I’m such a joke.

  I let out a sigh and see Matt dancing with Izzy, a girl he’s liked for a while. The song the DJ is playing switches from a fast one to a slow one, and I see Izzy reach her hands around Matt, as he pulls her closer. I avert my gaze, partially to give them their privacy, but mostly to scan the crowd again and find Jen. I’m a glutton for punishment. And punishment I find, when I see Franco holding her tightly and she leans her head back to kiss him.

  “Ugh!” I practically spit and turn to walk away.

  “Dude,” Carter says, grabbing my arm. I shrug him off, but he doesn’t take the hint, and follows me.

  “Go ask Kayla to dance.” He points to the side, where I see Kayla Johnson.

  She’s a nice girl with short brown hair, and she’s laughing with some of her friends. She looks pretty in her gold and blue prom dress, but I’m not in the mood to get close to anyone tonight.

  I shake my head, but before I can say anything Emma comes over to us.

  “Hey, Lucas.” She smiles.

  “Hey.”

  She pulls at Carter’s arm. “Come on, I love this song.”

  She gives him a pleading look, but even if she didn’t, I know Carter would do whatever she asks. Damn it, why do all my friends have to be in love?

  And there I go, feeling like an ass for about the hundredth time tonight, getting upset at my friends for having girlfriends. Carter gives me an apologetic shrug.

  “Go.” I motion to the dance floor and Emma smiles at me.

  “Thanks,” she whispers, and I give her a nod.

  Even though the dance still has a couple hours to go before it’s technically over, and there will probably be after parties I could go to, I know my night’s over. I showed up because it’s my senior prom, and even if I was dateless, I still felt like I wanted to experience it. Now I just wished I’d stayed home, ordered a pizza, and played some Call Of Duty.

  And as I walk out the doors, it’s exactly what I plan on going home to do.

  CHAPTER 2

  Jen

  I’m on cloud nine as I slide into the table at lunch. I’ve been there ever since prom, two days ago. Franco was perfect. The night was perfect. After drooling over him for a while, even though I played my cool and just flirted here and there with him, we’re finally together. Okay, we’re not officially together, but prom went just as I expected and I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before we make it official. I’m mostly just excited to finally find someone I can let my guard down around. Someone I can trust with my heart.

  I smile at both Carter and Emma, before my mood changes drastically. Matt’s walking toward us, which isn’t the problem. Ever since Carter started dating Emma, Matt’s been really cool. And I owe him big time for hooking Franco and I up as prom court couples last week. The issue is that Lucas is next to him.

  Our eyes meet, and I can’t help curling my lip a little. It’s stupid, because the thing I’m mad about happened so long ago and it really is childish, but it’s what we are now. He was the first boy I ever liked. The first boy I kissed. The first day I saw that dirty blond hair and those green eyes, I was smitten. It didn’t help that the older he got, the hotter he got. But that all changed and now I get annoyed just seeing him.

  He gives Matt that fist bump thing and turns the other way, while Matt walks over to us. Turning his head to see what I’m frowning at, Carter sees Lucas.

  “Okay,” he says, giving me a confused look. “Jen, I have to know.” Matt looks at him as he takes his seat at the table. “No, we all have to know. What the hell is the issue with you and Lucas?”

  Sighing, I grab my water bottle. “It’s nothing.”

  “Bullshit.” Matt laughs.

  “I’ve known you all four years of high school and you’ve always hated him.” Emma stares at me. “What happened with you two?”

  Letting out a deep groan, I check my emotions. It’s not like I’m still mad at Lucas for what he did when were in middle school, it’s just that … okay, I’m still mad.

  Matt and Carter watch on, unsure what I’m going to say. I don’t mean to rag on their friend, who just so happened to be my best friend all those years ago, but it still annoys me. Nearly five years later and I still get mad about it. But hey, I was in love with him from the time I was five. Not that they know that.

  “Okay, fine, he’s my neighbor. Has been since we were five.”

  “Really?” Emma’s expression turns to one of surprise.

  “Yeah. So, long story short, we were in eighth grade—”

  “Eighth grade?” Carter interrupts.

  “Shush. We were in eighth grade and I always thought he was cute, right? I mean, growing up we’d play outside, hang out, all that stuff. And there was our back-to-school dance, which I really wanted him to ask me, but he never did. He got all quiet and stuff around me.”

  Emma looks on, awaiting my next words, while Carter and Matt stare blankly.

  “So, I waited all week, but nothing. Then, finally, after class one day I walked up to him and said ‘Hey, Lucas. I don’t know if you’re going to the dance, but I was wondering if you want to go with me?’”

  “Jeez,” Emma says. “Even in middle school you were a go getter, huh?”

  “Damn straight, girl. Anyways, do you know what he did?”

  “What’d he say?”

  “No, he didn’t say anything. What he did. Rebecca Thomas was walking by and out of nowhere he grabs her arm, slings his around her like they were going out, and kissed her right in front of me!”

  “No way.” Carter shakes his head.

  “He kissed her?” Emma looks about as shocked as I did that day.

  “Yes! Well, it was just a kiss on the cheek, but still! I was humiliated! I turned around and stormed off. Ever since that day, we’ve barely said anything to each other. And we still live right next to one another.”

  “Okay, that is crazy and all, but come on, Jen.” Carter takes a drink of his Pepsi.
“You guys were little kids. Middle schoolers. He either didn’t want to say no and hurt your feelings, because you guys were friends, or he didn’t know how to say yes and freaked out.”

  “Carter, that makes absolutely no sense. The saying no part, okay, I can see that. But freaking out about not knowing how to say yes, so he kisses another girl right in front of me? That’s bullshit, even for an eighth grader.”

  Matt shrugs. “Well, first day of freshman year I wanted to ask out Jackie Langston, remember her?” He points to Carter who nods. “But I freaked out. I walked up to her, said hi, and then told her I liked her friend. I wanted to say like her, but I chickened out and said her friend. I felt so stupid after that.”

  “See?” Carter looks back at me, but I’m not buying it. “We’re guys. We do stupid stuff all the time.”

  “Whatevs.” Taking a drink of my water, I collect my thoughts. “My point to all this was, there is no Lucas. Yes, I had a crush on him all those years ago, but I’m with Franco now?”

  “What?” Emma gives me a blank look.

  “What?”

  “Jen, you two are together? It wasn’t just a prom thing?”

  I can’t help the smile that sneaks across my face. I’ve liked Franco for a while now, but he always seemed uninterested. When I made prom court and Matt—who’s our student body president—finagled his fingers around who’d be partnering up with who on the court, he paired Franco and I together.

  “I mean, it might’ve started out that way, but I like him.” I feel the blush running up my cheeks, before trying to get my emotions under control. I always keep them in check. I might flirt a lot. Some might even call me a tease, and sure, I can be. But Franco is the first guy in a long time I let my guard down around. The first one since Lucas that I’ve trusted.

  “By the way, thanks again, Matt.”

  “Yeah, don’t mention it,” he says coolly, but gives Carter a weird look.