Hating the Player (Campus Wallflowers #2)

by Rebecca Jenshak

“Once. Kind of. We stayed in a camper. Just one night. I hated it.”

breathe a sigh of relief as I walk away. I did it. I survived a day in nature (okay, fine, it’s only been a few hours) and I managed to avoid a confrontation with Gavin.

Gavin Leonard is the worst. There are a lot of reasons why, but right now, it’s because he’s standing half-naked in front of me inside my tent, holding the T-shirt he just took off in one hand. His brow furrows as he scans my body from head to toe.

“I was promised my own tent this weekend.” And there’s no way I’m sharing it with this guy of all people. I’d rather sleep outside. “Be my guest,” he says, making me realize I said that last part out loud. “No. You should sleep outside. Maybe a bear will eat you.” “You wound me,” he says dryly. Then instead of turning around, he bulldozes farther in.

“Three hundred and sixty-five days since our last incident,” I mutter. His lips curl in amusement. “Keeping track?”

“Ignore me. I’m being dramatic. I’ll be fine.”

“Gavin!” I whisper-screech. “What?” “I heard something.” “Don’t worry. If they know what’s good for them, they’ll eat me first.” He doesn’t so much as open his eyes.

“O-okay, you can come in the tent,” I say, and nudge him lightly with a foot. One of Gavin’s eyes opens for the briefest of seconds. “Worried about me?” “No,” I say quickly. “But maybe staying in pairs is a good idea.” “You’ll be fine, Vi. It’s probably just a raccoon or something.”

“I think it’s in the tent.” “How would it get in the tent?” His dark eyes open and he gives me his full, albeit sleepy, attention. “I went to Jordan’s SUV to get a blanket. You took mine. Or yours. I needed a blanket and now there is a wild animal in my tent. Your tent. Oh my god, please just help me.” My voice is bordering on a whine and I’m full-blown freaking out. “Relax,” he says and stands. His arm brushes mine.

“Are you getting a weapon?” I ask as he rummages in the front pocket. He turns with his phone in hand and the flashlight shines in my eyes. I hold up a hand to block the light, but I can still see his smug grin. “Why would I have a weapon in my backpack?” “I don’t know. I’ve never camped before. I have no idea what people bring.”

“I’ll be fine,” he assures me and takes a step away. “No. Wait,” I call. I take a breath before continuing, “Please will you sleep in here? I don’t want to be alone.” “And you thought of me? How sweet.” Sarcasm drips from his words. He lets the tent flap fall closed and disappears.

With Gavin, there is no empty space between us. Every molecule is charged and agitated.

“Do you want to use the other one?” It would probably cover half his legs, but it’s something. He turns away from me, giving me his back, and puts his pillow over his head. “Go to sleep, Violet.”

The “short” walk to the ski resort turns out to be over two miles at a steady incline.

“Try to look happier. You’re standing in front of a gorgeous view, and you look like you just shoved someone over the ledge.” “Oh, I wish,” I tease, but I pull out my best fake smile, one that I’ve honed over more than a decade of school photos.

“You were imagining pushing me off, weren’t you?” “No, too many witnesses.”

About halfway back, I have to slow down. My feet are killing me. Gavin falls into step beside me. “Are you okay?” “Fine.” I pick up the pace again. “Jesus, you’re fast when you’re angry.” “How can you tell I’m angry?” “I just can, but why are you angry?” “I’m not.” I’m annoyed and tired, and I just want to be alone.

“What are you doing here?” “I was coming to nap. What are you doing here?” “Same.” She lies back down and closes her eyes. “Occupied. Sorry.”

I face her. “I can tell when you’re lying.” “Bullshit.” She rolls her eyes and brings her hands in front of her body to rub her palms together. “I’m serious. It’s in the rhythm of your words. You talk faster when you’re nervous or excited, or telling a lie. Your eyes widen too.”

“Fine. Let me try again.” “And if you get it wrong?” “I won’t.” “But if you do, I get the tent tonight and you have to find somewhere else to sleep. And I’m keeping your blanket.”

So, instead of fighting with her, I take a step away. “You can have the tent.”

Violet’s stunning always, but the glimpses of her like this are my favorite.

She stills as if she can feel me watching her, and then looks right at me. I don’t look away. Couldn’t even for a million dollars. Violet lifts a middle finger in my direction and then turns on her heel and goes back to ignoring me.

“I heard you spent the weekend fighting with our neighbor.” “Not exactly.” “Bullshit,” Jenkins says. “Well, no more than usual.”

“I’m fine,” I say. “I’m fine. She’s fine. Everyone is fine. Leave it be.” “One more fine and I won’t believe you.” Jordan smirks.

I begin with Mansfield Park. It’s my least favorite, but that’s like saying it’s my least favorite of all my favorite foods. The bottom of the list is still fabulous.

“What are you doing here?” “I came to yell at you.” “O-kay.” He flashes me a half smile. His lips are swollen from kissing and his hair is messy. I hate him so much. “What about?”

“No. I just want to lie here until I die.” “Don’t die on me. Then who would I fight with?”

“There’s no one I’d rather fight with than you, Vi.”

She made me watch one of these with her once, before she hated my guts. Her eyes lit up and she couldn’t resist quoting her favorite lines and interrupting to point out costumes she loved. I’m more of an action movie guy myself (give me Jason Statham and a fast car and I’m good), but that night was one of my favorite movie nights ever.

My brain might know this is temporary, but my heart is punching to get out of my chest. It’s belonged to her since the first time I met her.

“Contrary to what you think, Vi, I care about you. If I thought you needed something, I’d do a lot more than kick down a door to get to you.”

“Puzzles, really?” “I freaking love puzzles.” “I forgot what a nerd you are. You hide it so well.” “I’m not hiding it. I just don’t really have time for it these days.” She yawns, covering it with the back of her hand. “Get some sleep, Vi. I’ll be in yelling distance.”

“Just the way I like you,” she says. “Where I can yell at you, I mean.” “That’s the way I like it too.”

“I’m making grilled cheese.” “Because?” “Last night.” I stare at him blankly. “7-up, grilled cheese, and movies.” I keep staring. “You don’t remember.” He shakes his head. “Last night you said that when you were younger and home sick, your dad would make grilled cheese sandwiches and you guys would watch movies all day.” He points to the 7-up. “I got that too in case your stomach was still upset.”

“Is that why you don’t want to play in the NBA?” “Aren’t you full of questions today.” He smiles.

“You are going to watch Persuasion with me?” I ask, my voice hoarse. “Why?” “I’ve never seen this one.” “And you’ve just been dying for the opportunity?” His shoulder bumps mine. “Truce, remember?”

“But Wentworth?” A grin lights up his face. “That was some epic hero shit right there.” A laugh spills from my lips. “Epic hero shit?” “That letter. You pierce my soul.” He lets out a low whistle. “I bow down to Jane Austen. I get why it’s your favorite now.” “Who said it was my favorite?” He points up to the framed quotes—both from Persuasion. “As you said, it’s some epic hero shit.” He smiles at me. “What's next?” “More? Really?” “I am hooketh.”

“Do not get crumbs in my bed,” I say as he takes a big bite of grilled cheese. “I won’t,” he speaks, mouth still full. The aroma of cheese and bread hits my nostrils and makes my stomach growl. “Not hungry, huh? Or were you just afraid I couldn’t cook?” “More like you’d poison me and blame my death on the flu.”

“Hi,” I croak. “How are you feeling?” He pulls out an ear bud and hits pause on the movie. “You watched it without me.” “I had to see the hand flex.” “And?” He does it with his hand and smiles. “So good.”

He opens the book and clears his throat. And then he starts reading. “You aren’t really going to read this entire book to me, are you?” “I don’t think I’ll finish it tonight, no, but maybe we can beat your last record.” “Gavin—” I start, voice breaking. I’m not even sure what I was going to say, but Gavin stops me. “I’m having a hand flex moment here, Vi.”

“I like you, Violet. I’ve always liked you.” I open my mouth to speak, but I’m at a loss for words. “Can I come back tomorrow? We can watch six hours of Darcy and Elizabeth, if you want, or I’ll read some more Persuasion. I want to spend more time with you.”

“If you change your mind or if you need anything, you know where to find me. Anything you need. Any time. I’m there.”

Ah, I see. She’s here out of obligation and misconstrued guilt, which pisses me off for some reason. Maybe because I want to be her friend. Nah, fuck that. Not her friend. I want to be her everything. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Are you going to be okay?” “I’m fine.” He’s lying. “Try again.” He smiles; a real smile that makes me hate his dad’s fake one even more. “I’m pissed right now, but I will be fine.” “Better.” I tip my head toward the door. Another hour or two and we’ll both be free. “Shall we?”

“It took a couple of minutes for it to register, or I would have immediately agreed.” He holds the door open for me, and something in his playful smile and dark brown eyes holds me captive as he says, “I always hear you, Violet.”

“All good?” he asks. I’m not even close to all good, but saying so won’t help anyone.

“As long as it doesn’t land me in jail or the dean’s office, then okay.” “Probably not.” I open the door. “Probably not?”

“Hence almost perfect.” “Hence?” I’m smiling and feeling better than I have all day. “You’re a trip.”

“I bet she picks yours.” “Based on what? You haven’t even seen it.” “I don’t need to. I know you.”