The Deal

I shrug it off and turn to glare at him. “What? You’re in the mood to insult me some more?”


“I wasn’t trying to insult you,” he protests. “I was just stating a fact.”

That stings. “Gee. Thanks.”

“Fuck.” He looks frustrated. “I insulted you again. I didn’t mean to do that. I’m not trying to be a dick, okay?”

“Of course you’re not trying. You just are.”

He has the nerve to grin, but his humor fades fast. “Look, I know the guy, all right? Kohl’s friends with one of my roommates, so he’s been over at my place a few times.”

“Goodie for you. You can date him then because I’m not interested.”

“Yes, you are.” He sounds very sure of himself, and I hate him for that. “All I’m saying is, Kohl has a type.”

“All right, I’ll humor you. What’s his type then? And not because I’m interested in him or anything,” I add hastily.

He smiles knowingly. “Uh-huh. Of course you’re not.” Then he shrugs. “He’s been at this college for, what, almost two months? So far I’ve seen him hook up with one cheerleader and two members of Kappa Beta. Know what that tells me?”

“No, but it tells me that you spend way too much time keeping track of who other dudes are dating.”

He ignores the barb. “It tells me Kohl is interested in chicks with a certain social status.”

I roll my eyes. “If this is another offer to make me popular, I’m gonna have to pass.”

“Hey, if you want to get Kohl’s attention, you’ve gotta do something drastic.” He pauses. “So yes, I’m reoffering to go out with you.”

“I re-pass. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to call a cab.”

“No, you don’t.”

My phone had gone idle, so I quickly type in my password to unlock it.

“Seriously, don’t bother,” Garrett says. “I can drive you home.”

“I don’t need a ride.”

“That’s what cabs do. They give you rides.”

“I don’t need a ride from you,” I amend.

“You’d rather pay ten bucks to get home instead of accepting a free ride from me?”

His sarcastic remark is right on target. Because yes, I most certainly trust a campus-employed cabbie to drive me home more than I trust Garrett Graham to do it. I don’t get into cars with strangers. Period.

Garrett’s eyes narrow as if he’s read my mind. “I’m not going to try anything, Wellsy. It’s just a ride home.”

“Go back to the party, Garrett. Your frat brothers are probably wondering where you are.”

“Trust me, they don’t give a shit where I am. They’re only interested in finding a tipsy chick to stick their dicks in.”

I gag. “God. You are disgusting, you know that?”

“Nope, just honest. Besides, it’s not like I said I’m looking to do that. I don’t need to get a woman drunk for her to sleep with me. They come to me sober and willing.”

“Congratulations.” I yelp when he snatches the phone out of my hand. “Hey!”

To my amazement, he turns the camera toward his face and snaps a picture.

“What are you doing?”

“There,” he says, handing the phone back. “Feel free to text that sexy face to your entire contact list and inform them I’m driving you home. That way if you show up dead tomorrow everyone will know who did it. And if you want, you can keep your finger on the emergency call button the whole time in case you need to call the cops.” He heaves out an exasperated breath. “Can I please take you home now?”

Although I’m not excited about standing outside alone and coatless to wait for the taxi, I still put up one last protest. “How much have you had to drink?”

“Half a beer.”

I raise my eyebrows.

“My limit is one,” he insists. “I’ve got practice tomorrow morning.”

My resistance crumbles at his earnest expression. I’ve heard a lot of rumors about Garrett, but none involving alcohol or drugs, and the campus cab service is notorious for taking its sweet ass time, so really, it won’t kill me to spend five minutes in a car with the guy. I can easily give him the silent treatment if he annoys me.

Or rather, when he annoys me.

“All right,” I concede. “You can take me home. But this doesn’t mean I’m tutoring you.”

His smile is the epitome of smug. “We’ll discuss it in the car.”





6




Garrett


Hannah Wells is into a football player. I can’t wrap my head around it, but I’ve already offended her once tonight, so I know I have to tread carefully if I’m going to win her over.

I wait until we’re in my Jeep and buckled up before I voice the cautious question. “So, how long have you wanted to fu—make love to Kohl?”

She doesn’t answer, but I can feel her death glare boring into the side of my face.

“Has to be a fairly recent thing since he just transferred two months ago.” I purse my lips. “Okay, let’s assume it’s been a month.”