Hating the Player (Campus Wallflowers #2)

by Rebecca Jenshak

“I’m not nearly drunk enough for this.”

I’m six feet from the tent when a scratching noise stops me in my tracks. I hold my breath and wait to see if it comes again. When it does, I whimper and then sidestep, moving closer to where Gavin is sleeping by the fire. “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.

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

Being around Violet brings out some primal, barbaric side of me. I want her, but since I can’t have her, I end up acting like a giant asshole.

I knew Violet was going to be here. She’s most of the reason I canceled my date and tagged along with Jenkins and Taylor. I thought maybe it would be an opportunity for us to hang out and bury the hatchet, so to speak.

acting like he’s Doctor freaking McDreamy.

all too well

She lifts her chin defiantly. Her first words make me suck in a breath. “I lost my virginity to a jerk who pretended to be super into me.” I swallow the acid burning my throat. “A week later I found him in bed with my roommate.” Every word is a physical blow. “And finally, the same jerk crashed my weekend camping trip with friends while continuing to hook up with every girl that crosses his path.”

“I never meant to hurt you, Violet. You were amazing. We had so much fun together. I don’t even remember leaving with Bailey that night.” At the mention of her old roommate, she stiffens. “You know what? You can keep your apology. I don’t want it, I don’t need it, and I do not accept it.”

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.”

“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.”

“I like you, Violet. I’ve always liked you.”

“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.”

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.

And after a year of wishing for a second chance, I finally have a date with Violet.

“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.”

Violet is a freaking ten any day of the week, but tonight, in that blue dress with her hair wavy and those shoes… damn those shoes, she steals the air from my lungs.

A little of Violet isn’t enough. I want to get lost in her, obsessed. “Kiss me.” My head snaps up. “What?” “Kiss me again.” My mouth opens to ask a whole bunch of questions, but I turn off my brain. When a hot girl asks you to kiss her, you fucking kiss her and you kiss her good.

“No, Gavin. I don’t think you and I can ever be friends.”

“Hey. Let’s play a game.” “A game? Now?” “Mhmm. Two truths and a lie.” “Okay.” I give him a tentative smile. “Number one, I have the hottest girlfriend alive.” “Two, I can’t imagine my life without you.” “And three?” I ask. “I have been in love with you since the night your sandal broke, and I carried you to your dorm.” My heart threatens to burst in my chest. “Which one is the lie?” “None of them.” He grins. “They’re all true.”

my girl

my girl.

my girl.

my girl.

“I love you so fucking much.”

“I love you too.”

“You’re the worst, Gavin Leonard.” A slow smile replaces the glare. I place an open-mouth kiss to her shoulder and then bite lightly. “The absolute worst.”

my wife

my wife.

“Gross,” Austen mutters. “Are you two going to do that all weekend?”

my wife

“What do you think?” she asks. “That I love you. That I’m damn lucky. That this tent used to seem a hell of a lot bigger.” A small laugh escapes her lips, and she leans forward to kiss me. “And that life with you… definitely, not the worst.”