The Mistake (Off-Campus, #2)

by Elle Kennedy

My shoulders tense, almost as if I’m anticipating to find Grace in the gazebo. Which is stupid, because of course she’s not⁠— Holy shit, she is. I see a girl on the steps. A long braid and…dis...

It’s a blonde in a green sundress, and the afternoon sunlight catches in her golden braid as she bends her head to read the book in her lap. Then her head lifts, and holy shit aga...

I stumble to a stop, completely forgetting about Dean and Hannah, who keep running. From her perch on the steps, Grace looks in my direction, and although thirty or so yards separate us, I know she rec...

“Logan. Yo, what the hell? Keep up, bro.” My friends have finally noticed I’m not with them, and they come jogging back. Hannah follows my gaze, then gasps. “Oh. Is that Grace?”

For a second, I’m surprised she knows her name, until I realize that Garrett must have told her. Shocker.

I grab his arm before he can take another step. “It’s Grace, dumbass. She obviously dyed her hair. And if you looked at her face and not her legs, you’d see it.” He squints again, and then his jaw drops. “Shit. You’re right.”

Grace lowers her gaze back to her book, but I know she’s aware of my presence because her shoulders are stiffer than the posts at the gazebo’s entrance. She’s probably waiting for me to run off, but that’s not going to happen. I’m not running away, not this time.

My palms are clammy as I approach her. I can’t take my eyes off her. Jesus. Her legs really are phenomenal. Smooth and tanned and…crap, I’m imagining them wrapped around my waist. Her heels digging into my ass as I fuck the hell out of her.

Her cheeks hollow as if she’s grinding her teeth, and then she mumbles something under her breath. It sounds like, “the one day I forget to bring my earbuds.” Perfect. That means she can’t ignore me by listening to music.

“Did you just say okey dokey?” “Yup. Was that adorable enough to change your mind about that date?” Her lips twitch, but the laugh I’m waiting for doesn’t come.

“One date,” I urge softly. “Please, Grace. Give me a chance to show you I’m not a total dick.” She gazes at me, incredulous. “You humiliated me.” Four months’ worth of guilt slams into me. “I know.”

“So let’s focus on that,” I say roughly. “On the good parts. I fucked up, but I promise I’ll make it up to you. I don’t want anyone else. All I want is another chance.”

“Sorry, but no,” she says, and the last scrap of my confidence takes a nosedive. “Look, if you want forgiveness, then sure, you’ve got it. That night was embarrassing as hell, but I had the whole summer to get over it. I don’t hold grudges, okay?

If we bump into each other on campus, I’m not going to run screaming in the other direction. Maybe we’ll even grab a coffee one day. But I don’t want to go out with you, at least not right now.”

Defeat crushes down on my chest, followed by a surge of hope, because technically, she didn’t say no. She said “not right now.” I can absolutely work with that.

Oh, and not thinking about John Logan. That’s a critical component in the plan, because ever since I ran into him at the park last week, I haven’t been able to get him off my mind.

If Logan is serious about us going out, I need a lot more than a gruff apology and a crooked grin. He’ll have to up his game, that’s for sure.

I smack Tuck’s ass as he breezes past my stool. “Welcome back, Babyface.” “Fuck off,” he grumbles.

“Oh, he’s joining the team,” Dean declares. “I don’t care if I have to suck his dick to get him to agree to it.” Laughter breaks out all around him. “Sucking dick now, are we?” I ask pleasantly.

Mr. Innocent bats his baby-greens. “I thought you guys might need a refresher course in orgasms.” “I think we’re good,” Tuck says with a snort.

“You sure? Nobody has any questions?” He’s grinning at me as he voices the question, and when the guys turn their attention back to the ice, I jab him in the ribs. Hard.

“You know who else had natural charm?” I retort. “Ted Bundy.” Dean dons a blank look. “Who?” “The serial killer.” Oh Jesus, I’ve jumped on the Bundy bandwagon. I’m turning into Grace.

Great. And now I’m thinking about Grace. I’ve been forcing myself not to since she shot me down last week, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t get her out of my head.

I hunch over, hoping my hair will shield my face from view of the newcomers. The newcomers being Logan and four of his friends. Crap. Maybe he won’t notice me. Maybe I can sneak out before he does.

I know I should be skulking off, but I can’t look away. It’s almost criminal how attractive he is. Granted, I’m only looking at the back of his head, but it’s a very sexy back of the head.

The long limbs and toned muscles beneath his cargo pants and snug T-shirt create a drool-worthy package that my fingers itch to unwrap.

Argh. I need to drag my head out of the gutter. Lusting over him is too close to liking him, and I’m not ready...

But common sense comes too late, because Logan is now moving away from the counter and...

“Hey, gorgeous.” He slides in the seat across from me and places a chocolate-chip muffin on the table. “I got you a muffin.” Damn it, I guess he...

“Why?” I ask in suspicion, and without saying hi. “’Cause I wanted to get you something, and you alrea...

I raise one eyebrow. “Are you trying to buy your way into my good graces?” “Yup. And e...

“I wasn’t punning. My name just happens to be a homonym.” His blue eyes gleam as he downright smolders at me. “I love...

Damn him and his seductive winking powers.

God, this guy is incorrigible. And too damn gorgeous for his own good. His chiseled jaw is covered with scruff, as if he hasn’t shaved in a few days, and my tongue tingles with the urge to lick a path along the strong line of his chin. This is the first time I’ve ever wanted to lick a guy’s stubble. What is the matter with me?

“Go away, G. I’m wooing.” His friend snickers, then turns to me. “Hey, I’m Garrett.” Right. As if I don’t know who he is. Garrett Graham is a legend at this school, for fuck’s sake.

“I’m Grace,” I answer politely. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.” He edges away, a barely restrained smile on his lips. “I’ll wait outside so my boy can keep, ah, wooing.”

“No need. We’re all done here.” I scrape my chair back and hop to my feet. “We most certainly are not,” Logan mutters.

Amused, Garrett glances from me to Logan. “I took a mandatory conflict resolution seminar back in high school...

“Well, the stenographer who follows me around is on a lunch break, but I can catch you up no problem. Logan asked me out, and I solved the conflict by respectfully d...

Garrett laughs loud enough to attract the attention of everyone around us, including the three hockey players w...

“What’s so funny?” Dean asks curiously. He notices me and offers a delighted smile. “Grace. Long time. I’m loving the hair.” I’m surprise...

I inch closer to the door. “I’ve gotta go. See you around, Logan. And, uh, you too, Logan’s friends.” I’m halfway out the door when I he...

“No, I didn’t,” I answer without turning around. Male laughter tickles my spine as t...

I think I’d be open to it if he asked me out, but every time I consider it, a part of me raises a protest and encourages me to go out with Logan instead.

I won’t lie—that muffin stunt had been…charming. Presumptuous, sure, but adorable enough that I couldn’t stop smiling during the entire walk back to my dorm.

Morris wanders over with a lopsided grin. “Were you listening to that manscaping call?” “How could I not? It was one of the most ridiculous debates I’ve ever heard.”

I pause, then grin back. “But I did enjoy when Evelyn said that if she wanted to see foliage, she’d take up hiking or gardening.”

I’m not in the mood to go to a kegger tonight, but Garrett informs me that if he has to go, then I have to go, because, and I quote, “best friends suffer together or not at all.”

I politely pointed out that we could always pick the “not at all” option, which earned me a dark scowl and a menacing you’re going finger-point.

“I’m a legacy,” he answers, his gray eyes focused on the dark road. “They were obligated to let me rush, and my father forced me to pledge.”