Hating the Player (Campus Wallflowers #2)

by Rebecca Jenshak

Truthfully, I might have preferred a bear over him.

“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.

“This is all that was left in Jordan’s SUV.” I clutch the thin blanket to my chest, feeling very protective of it. It’s not its fault it wasn’t made for outdoor adventure.

“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.

Jordan doting on someone still catches me by surprise. He wasn’t big on relationships until he met Daisy, and now, he’s got this permanent dopey grin, acting like he’s Doctor freaking McDreamy. I’m thrilled for him, but it’s trippy.

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.”

“This is just a temporary truce,” she says as she nuzzles into me. 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.”

“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.” A small laugh escapes, and a lump forms in my throat.

“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.”

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

I glance down quickly and hold back a curse. My dress is nearly a perfect match to the color of his tie. It’s like we’re going to freaking prom and purposely coordinated our outfits.

“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.

When I get back to the table, her smile gets bigger and slightly taunting. “Congrats on being top jock.” “Top Jock? Is that like king of the dipshits?” “You said it.”

“Sounds like something I might have tossed out in hopes of impressing you.”

“This was a bad idea. I shouldn’t have come.” “Fuck them.” “You already did,” she snaps.

check it, I have a dozen texts. My stomach clenches at a new one from my dad, but the unsettling feeling only lasts for a second because at the very top is one from the girl next door.

I scribble, Property of Vi, just above the waistband of his sweatpants.

“I drew my name all over you last night, including your dick. Of course, I don’t want to date other people.”