The Deal (Off-Campus, #1)

by Elle Kennedy

“PS, I want a stripper for my birthday,” GQ announces. “Just decided now. Get on it.” “I’ll make a couple calls,” Garrett promises, but the second his friend wanders off, he confides, “He’s not getting a stripper. We all pitched in to get his car detailed. It still reeks after Hollis barfed in the back seat and Dean’s too lazy to get it done.”

When I snicker, Garrett pounces like a mountain lion. “Holy shit. Was that a laugh? I didn’t think you were capable of showing amusement. Can you do it again and let me film it?” “I laugh all the time.” I pause. “Mostly at you, though.” He grabs his chest in mock pain as if I’ve shot him. “You’re terrible for a guy’s ego, y’know that?”

“This is Logan. Logan, Wellsy.” “Hannah,” I correct. Logan thinks it over before shaking his head. “Naah. I like Wellsy.”

Sup, Wellsy,” Tucker calls out. I smother a sigh. Wonderful. I guess I’m Wellsy now.

“I was curious to see what kind of music you like.” His gray eyes remain glued to the screen as he starts reading names out loud. “Etta James, Adele, Queen, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha, Beatles—man, this is wicked eclectic.” He suddenly shakes his head in dismay. “Hey, did you know there’s One Direction on here?” “No, really?” I ooze sarcasm. “It must have downloaded itself.” “I think I’ve lost all respect for you. You’re supposed to be a music major.” I snatch the phone from his hands and stuff it in the bag. “One Direction does some great harmonies.” “Strongly disagree.” His chin lifts decisively.

“My duet partner,” I say darkly. “AKA the bane of my existence. I swear, if I wasn’t afraid I might break my hand, I’d punch him right in his smug, stupid face.” “You want me to teach you how to throw down?” Garrett presses his lips together as if he’s trying hard not to laugh. “I’m tempted to say yes.

Garrett climbs on the bed and lies down, resting his head on a mountain of pillows. I’ve never met anyone who sleeps with so many pillows. Maybe he needs them to cradle his massive ego.

“Your voice is…fuck, Wellsy, it’s beautiful.” My cheeks heat up. “You think so?” His impassioned expression tells me he’s dead serious. “Play something else,” he orders. “Um. What do you want to hear?” “Anything. I don’t care.” I’m startled by the intensity in his voice, the emotion now glittering in his gray eyes. “I just need to hear you sing again.”

“I have to go. My ride’s probably waiting outside.” I quickly slide off the bed. “Just have to pee first.” He snickers. “TMI.” “People pee, Garrett. Deal with it.”

I’ve already demolished my pizza, but Hannah’s is only half done, so I steal a piece and take a big bite. “Ohhhh, look who’s eating my boring pizza. Can anyone say hypocrite?”

I bring my lips close to her ear and murmur, “We’re kinda friends now.” “I heard that,” Garrett pipes up. “And there’s no ‘kinda’ about it. We’re best friends, Nelly. Don’t let Wellsy tell you otherwise.”

“Cool. See you tomorrow then.” He ruffles my hair as if I’m a five-year-old, then saunters off.

“Question,” I announce as Tuck wanders into the kitchen. “Answer,” he replies instantly. “I haven’t asked the question yet, asshole.”

Grinning, he washes his hands at the sink and then ties a neon pink apron around his waist. Logan, Dean, and I gave him the frilly monstrosity as a joke for his birthday, on the argument that if he was going to be our mother hen, he might as well look the part. Tucker countered by insisting he’s masculine enough to pull off any item of clothing we throw his way, and now he wears the damn thing like a badge of macho honor.

“Okay, I’ll bite,” he says as he heads to the fridge. “What’s the question?” “All right, so you’re a Nazi⁠—” “Fuck that,” he interjects. “Let me finish, will ya? You’re a Nazi, and Hitler has just ordered you to commit an act that goes against everything you believe in. Do you say, cool beans, boss, I’ll kill all these people for you, or do y...

“Do you or do you not want Kohl to think you’re into me? Because if you do, you’ll need to at least try to act like it.” “That’s going to be tough,” she says with a smirk. “Bullshit. You like me lots.”

“It’ll just take a minute.” His gaze locks with mine. “Do you trust me?” Wariness ripples through me, but when I answer, it’s with unwavering certainty that startles me. “Of course I do.” Gosh, I really do. Even though I’ve only known him for a short time, I trust this guy.

I blink rapidly to try to stop the flow of tears. I refuse to cry in public. I refuse to. “Wellsy?” Garrett emerges from the men’s bathroom and frowns the moment he sees me. “Hey,” he says urgently, cupping my chin. “What’s the matter?” “Nothing,” I mumble. “You’re lying.” His grip stays firm on my chin as he sweeps his thumbs underneath my eyes. “Why are you crying?” “I’m not crying.” “I’m wiping away your tears right now, Wellsy. Ergo, you’re crying. Now tell me what’s wrong.” His face suddenly pales. “Oh shit, did someone harass you or something? I was only gone a few minutes. I’m so sorry⁠—” “No, it’s not that,” I cut in. “I promise.” Garrett’s features relax. But only slightly. “Then why are you upset?”

“Forget it,” I mutter again. “No.” I yelp when he suddenly pulls me onto his lap. “We’re not having this conversation anymore,” I protest as I try to scramble off him. He plants his hands on my waist to trap me in place. “Yes, we are.”

As a strangled sob tears out of my mouth, I attempt a frantic scramble off Garrett’s lap, but his arms tighten around me, one hand tangling in my hair to bring my head closer. I bury my face in his neck, trembling wildly as tears slide down my cheeks in salty waves. “Hey, come on, don’t cry,” he begs. “It breaks my fucking heart to hear you cry.”

“I’m broken.” My voice is muffled against his neck, but I hear his voice loud and clear as he says, “You’re not broken, baby. I promise.”

“You too, Chazz.” My duet partner stiffens. “It’s Cass.” Garrett blinks innocently. “Oh, sorry—wasn’t that what I said?” Cass’s nostrils flare. “So I hear you’re singing a duet with my girl,” Garrett adds. “I hope you’re not giving her any trouble. I’m not sure you know this, but my Han-Han has a bad habit of letting people walk all over her.” He arches one dark brow. “But you wouldn’t do that, right, Chazz?” Despite the pang of embarrassment his words evoke in me, I’m also fighting hard not to laugh. “It’s. Cass.” “That’s what I said, no?”

“Was that necessary?” “Fuck yeah it was.” “Okay. Just checking.”

“Tough cookies.” “Tough cookies? What are you, my grandmother?” “Does she say tough cookies?” “Well, no,” I confess. “Nana swears like a sailor, actually. Last Christmas she dropped a motherfucker bomb at the dinner table, and my dad nearly choked on his turkey.” Garrett barks out a laugh. “I think I like Nana.”

“You know what I think?” “Women aren’t supposed to think, Wellsy. That’s why your brains are smaller. Science proves it.” I slug him again, and a howl of laughter flies out of his mouth. “Jeez. I’m kidding. You know I don’t actually believe that. I worship at the shrine of womanhood.” He dons a solemn face. “Okay, tell me what you think.”

Then she tries to get up to clear the table, at which point Tucker all but bodychecks her out of the kitchen. “My mama taught me manners, Wellsy.” He gives her a stern look. “Someone cooks for you, you clean. Period.” His head swivels to the doorway just as Logan and Dean try to sneak out. “Where’re you ladies going? Dishes, assholes. G, you get a free pass since you have to drive our lovely chef home.”

Sometimes people sneak up on you and suddenly you don’t know how you ever lived without them.

“Hey.” She flops down beside me on the couch. “Hey.” I sling my arm around her and plant a kiss on her cheek, and it feels like the most natural thing in the world.

“Just in case you were cozying up to me because you thought I was some heiress, you should know that I’m at Briar on a full scholarship, and I get financial aid for expenses. My family is broke.” “Get out.” I point to the door. “Seriously. Get out.” Hannah sticks out her tongue. “Funny.” “I don’t care how much money your family has, Wellsy.”

“How did I go so long without noticing you, damn it? Why did it take seeing a stupid A on your midterm to make me notice?” He sounds so genuinely upset that I scoot closer and kiss him. “It doesn’t matter. You know me now.”

My eyes fly open. “Did you re-download One Direction?” Her mouth twitches. “No…” “Uh-huh. So why is ‘Story of my Life’ playing?” I demand. She pauses, then lets out a big sigh. “Because I like One Direction. There. I said it.” “You’re lucky I love you,” I warn her. “Because I wouldn’t stand for it otherwise.” Hannah grins. “You’re lucky I love you. Because you’re a total asshole and there aren’t a lot of girls who’d put up with it.”

Loud pounding on Garrett’s door jolts me out of my happy thoughts. The door is locked so I’m not worried about anyone barging in, but I still reach for the blanket out of habit. “Sorry to interrupt, boys and girls,” Logan calls out, “but it’s time to put your p’s and v’s away. Gotta go, G.” I shoot Garrett a blank look. “P’s and v’s?” Half the time I can barely make sense of Logan’s made-up acronyms and abbreviations. Garrett grins at me. “Oh come on, really? Even I got that one. It’s grade school shit.” I think it over, then blush. “How exactly does one put away their vagina?” He snickers. “Ask Logan. Actually, please don’t.”

My face collapses and I whisper, “It’s Aaron’s best friend. He’s one of the guys who testified against me after the⁠—” Garrett is already stalking away.

But Hannah had also given me the okay to share the truth with Logan, and after I told him who Rob was and why I went after him, Logan was ready to go after Rob himself, and then he apologized to me for pulling me off the bastard.

I’m nervous as hell when she opens the door to let me in, but she surprises me by immediately throwing her arms around me. “Are you okay?” she says urgently. “I’m fine.” It sounds like I’m speaking through a mouthful of gravel, so I clear my throat before continuing. “I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry, baby.”

“Don’t you get it? The thought of anyone hurting you rips me apart.” I blink rapidly, fighting the tears. “I didn’t realize it until tonight, but…I think I was broken, too.” Hannah looks startled. “What do you mean?” “I was broken before I met you,” I mumble. “My entire life revolved around hockey, and being the best, and proving to my father that I didn’t need him. I didn’t let myself get close to girls because I didn’t want to be distracted from my goals. And I knew that if I did get close to someone, I’d leave them in a heartbeat once I got drafted. I didn’t let a single person in, not even my closest friends, and then you came along and I realized just how fucking lonely I’ve been.” I drop my head on her shoulder, so tired of…of everything. After a beat, she pulls my head into her lap and strokes my hair. I curl into her, my voice muffled against her thigh.

“I don’t want you to hate me for it.” She bends down and brushes her lips over the top of my head. “I could never hate you.” We stay this way for a while, with her fingers in my hair and my head in her lap.

Logan stops asking me questions. He wanders over and snatches the whiskey from my hand. “Well.” He sighs before raising the bottle to his lips and tipping his head back. “Then I guess we’re getting shit-faced.”

“Great, you’re done yelling. Now I want you to talk to me, and you’re not leaving until you do.” “I don’t want to talk.” “Tough cookies.” I search her agonized expression. “Why did you break up with me?” “I already told you⁠—” “I know what you told me. I didn’t believe you then and I don’t believe you now.” I set my jaw. “Why did you break up with me?” A shaky breath leaves her mouth. “Because we were moving too fast.” “Bullshit. Why did you break up with me?” “Because I wanted to see other people.” “Try again. Why did you break up with me?”

“I highly doubt that, but okay, humor me. What would I have said?” I don’t understand his weird-ass reaction, and it’s making me uneasy. “You would have told me that you didn’t care if your father cut you off, because you’re not going to let him control you, or us.” Garrett nods. “Yup, you’re on track so far. What else?” “Then you would have said you care about me more than you care about his stupid money.” “Yup.” “And you would have let him cut you off.” “Right again.” My stomach lurches. “He said you aren’t eligible for financial aid, and that you wouldn’t be able to get a bank loan.” Garrett nods again. “Both true.” “You would have had to clean out your savings account. We both know you can’t afford rent and expenses and car payments when you’re not working, so that means you would need to get a job and⁠—” “I’m gonna stop you there, baby.” The smile he gives me is infinitely tender. “So…let’s back up. I let my father cut me off. Ask me what I would’ve said next.” I bite the inside of my cheek. A little too hard, so I soothe the sting with my tongue. “What?” Garrett leans closer and sweeps his fingertips over my cheek. “I would’ve said, Don’t worry, babe, I’m turning twenty-one in a few weeks, and my grandparents left me a trust fund that I can access on January 2nd.”