The Legacy (Off-Campus, #5)

by Elle Kennedy

“I…I don’t know. Truthfully, I probably wouldn’t even let him ask.” “Really?” Hannah looks startled. I shrug, because I don’t know how to put it into words.

eek

“Are you saying he might not be your forever person?” That summons a growl from Summer. “You better not be saying that, because I already have a design in mind for our custom sisters-in-law Christmas onesies.”

“I’m not saying that at all,” I protest. “Dean is absolutely my forever person. We’re end game. But to me, getting engaged isn’t just one step. It’s, like, three steps all joined together.

An engagement should be immediately followed by getting married, which should be closely followed by starting a family, and I’m not ready for any of those steps. Being a mom in the near future sounds terrifying to me.” I glance over at Sabrina. “No offense.”

Doesn't have to go that way though

“Mummy, you’re all red.” Jamie climbs into her mother’s lap and pokes Sabrina’s cheek with one sticky finger.

Oh man. Kids are exhausting. Witnessing Sabrina’s infinite supply of patience is something else. And it just cements my decision to postpone all those pesky steps until later in my life. Much, much later.

You don't HAVE to have kids, just saying

Fitz shakes his head. “You two are insane.” “Ignore him,” Summer tells me. “He doesn’t understand clothes the way we do.”

“Actually, not just both of us—all of us!” she corrects, her expression shining brighter. “I’m excited to drop by Nicky’s office for surprise lunches and shopping trips and watch him make up excuses why he can’t go.”

Summer gets a kick out of tormenting our workaholic older brother. And tormenting me. And her boyfriend. Basically, she’s a holy terror. But we all love her.

My stomach sinks. Oh sweet baby Jesus. I have to ask for his blessing?

Don’t get me wrong—Joe Hayes and I have developed a tentative friendship over the years. I mean, he still calls me “pretty boy,” but I know he likes me.

Enough to marry his little girl, though? His only...

There’s really only one close friend I can’t see, can’t speak to, and that’s Beau Maxwell, because he’s gone. I think Beau would’ve had fun tonight if he’d been here.

Finally, Coach Jensen clears his throat. “Well,” he says, his shuttered eyes sweeping over the group. “As you know, I don’t have any sons. And after coaching all you boys for so many years, I’ve come to realize I’m glad I don’t.”

Mike Hollis hoots loudly. I muffle my laughter against my palm. Coach glares at us.

“With that said,” he continues, “out of all the players I’ve coached, John, you’re the one who’s given me the least amount of grief. So thanks for that. Congratulations on everything. The la...

I purse my lips. Honestly, I can see it. Coach’s exterior is so rough, I bet he throws curveballs in bed.

Someone clears their throat. “Gentlemen.” We jump in surprise when Iris Marsh appears behind us. Biting her lip like she’s trying not to bust into laughter, she casually leans past Tucker to grab the silver clutch on the table he’s leaning against.

Just before she goes, however, she leans closer to Hollis and murmurs something. So quietly I think I imagined it at first. “He definitely fucks.” Hollis’s jaw drops.

“But you didn’t hear that from me,” Iris calls over her shoulder, waltzing off in Coach’s direction. “Told you,” Hunter says smugly.

“What do you think they’re whispering about over there?” I nod toward the group of boys. Their conversation looks intense. “Hockey, probably.”

She takes a second to study them, then shakes her head. “No, they’re talking about sex.” “Ha! How can you tell?” “Fitzy’s face. He looks like he wants to wither away and die on the spot.”

I follow her gaze and laugh again. Yeah, Fitz does tend to get that pained look when he’s forced into conversations about topics he’d rather keep private. Usually it’s Hollis who drags him in. I shift my gaze. Yup, Mike Hollis se...

Honestly, I’m a little disappointed his wife couldn’t make it tonight. I would’ve loved to meet the woman who married Mike Hollis. She either has the patience of a saint, or she’s as cuckoo bananas as he is. ...

I’m hoping I might be able to get Hannah to sing something too. I’m sure the band would be happy to let her, and I know Tucker would love it.

“Should we get outta here soon, Mrs. Logan?” Um. What? “You’re never going to get tired of saying that, are you?” Grace is laughing.

“Never.” He smacks a kiss on her lips. “Mrs. Logan.” Yup. Didn’t imagine it the first time. I shoot forward like a rocket. “I’m sorry—but…WHAT?” My shocked voice echoes in the cavernous lobby.

I glance over my shoulder to find Logan grinning sheepishly. He shrugs at me, then winks. That’s all I need. Holy shit. Holy shit.

“You guys got married?” I exclaim as we burst into the bathroom. Fortunately, it’s empty. “No,” Grace says. I narrow my eyes at her. “Yes,” Grace says.

“When?” I repeat. “Over New Year’s,” she confesses. “What!” I shriek. “You got married four months ago and didn’t tell anyone?”

Grace is quick to reassure me. “Nobody knows except us. We didn’t want to break it to my dad before graduation. He would freak if he thought I wasn’t fully concentrating on school.”

Stunned, I sweep my gaze over Grace’s girl-next-door features and tentative smile. She’s the perfect match for Logan, yes, but she’s two years younger than him. And they’re married?

“So you two just…eloped?” I’m utterly dumbfounded. “Sort of? We didn’t plan to. It just happened.” “It just happened,” I echo. “How do...

And not only does he officiate weddings, but he managed to get us a last-minute marriage license because the town clerk is part of his flock, and it was like, serendipity. Is that the word? I hate that word.”

She’s blushing so hard, even the freckles on her nose look redder. “Anyway, I have zero regrets. Neither does he. We’re forever.”

Emotion clogs my throat and stings my eyes. I’ve always been a sappy romantic. “That is the most romantic ...

“How much did you hear?” Grace sighs. Hannah offers a wry smile. “All of it.”

“You okay?” I fret. She slowly shakes her head. “I’m starting to think no.” A knot forms in my stomach. “What’s wrong?” “I might need a…um…pregnancy test.”

“Don’t say anything to Dean.” She turns to Grace. “Or Logan. Please. They’ll tell Garrett in a heartbeat, and I haven’t even taken a test yet. For all I know, it’s a false alarm.”

“How late are you?” Grace asks. Hannah bites her lip. “How late?” I press. “Three weeks.” I gasp again.

“Seriously, I don’t want Garrett knowing anything until I take a test,” Hannah says firmly. “Neither of y...

“Neither of you are allowed to say a word about my thing either.” Grace’s expre...

“But…” I sputter. “Not a word until further notice,” Hannah orders, while Grace nods in agreement. I just stand t...

This wedding reception is chock full of HUGE NEWS, and I’m not allowed to tell anyone about it until further notice? Not eve...

but I like to think that over the years I’ve grown on him. Although the one time I voiced that thought, Joe had nodded and said, “Like a fungus.” He’s a real delight.

I turn to him with a mock frown. “Want to know the proper response when someone brings you groceries? Why, thank you, pretty boy, I appreciate the gesture. How did I get so lucky as to have you in my daughter’s life?”

“It’s noon,” he points out. “I need the liquid courage.” Just like that, his expression becomes more pained than usual. “Aw man, no. Is that it? Today’s the day?” I frown. “What day?”

“You’re gonna ask for my blessing. Aw hell. Just get it over with and ask, then. You really need to drag out the torture and make both of us uncomfortable? I’d rather be waterboarded. Goddamn it. We both know I’m going to say yes, okay? So do it already.”

I gape at him for a second. Then a wave of laughter spills out. “With all due respect, sir? You’re the fucking worst. I had a whole speech prepared.”

But I suppose I’m glad I don’t have to recite it. I can’t imagine anything more humiliating than pouring your heart out to a man who equates ...