Worth the Chance (Watertown University #2)

2. Garrett

Chapter 2

Garrett

P ulling up to my new place of residence, I spot Liam’s Jeep in the driveway and an unfamiliar SUV. Weird. Maybe Ryan rented a car while he’s in the state? He told me he and Liam would be here when I moved in to give me a set of keys and help me set up anything but I just figured they’d carpool. Shutting off my old pickup truck, I hop out slinging one of my bags over my shoulder. Before I can knock on the front door it swings open revealing a flustered looking Ryan.

“What’s up with your face?”

“What face?” Ryan tries to wipe his face of whatever that look is.

“Gar!” Emilia appears behind Ryan, gently nudging him out of the way, to pull me into a hug. I’m not the biggest fan of physical touch usually but Emilia and her best friend Rosie broke down that barrier for themselves when we all became friends four years ago. My hug allotment has been reserved for the two of them since.

“I didn’t expect you to be here, Em.”

“And I didn’t expect you to be.” Hold up, what? Her face pales even further than her regular pale skin as she realizes what she just said.

“What’s going on here?” I look between Ryan and Emilia.

“Um,” Ryan swallows, “I may have left something out when I said you could live here.” I just keep looking at him waiting for a further explanation. Ryan looks to Em, his eyes seemingly pleading with her to be the one to tell me.

Emilia sighs before giving in. “You know how Ryan told you, you were going to have a roomate?” I nod, he mentioned having a roommate who had a gluten allergy which is no big deal. I’m fine with avoiding those kinds of foods in the kitchen. “Well, that’s true but the roommate is their little sister, Eliza.”

“What?” My voice booms, coming out almost at a shout. Fuck, I try to keep my temper in check. I take a deep breath, recentering myself. “I’m going to be living with your sister?”

“Uh, yeah.” Ryan awkwardly runs his hands through his hair. “I should’ve told you before but I didn’t think you’d still move in and I didn’t want you to stress.”

“You should’ve told me,” I sigh, “but I understand why you didn’t.” He was right. I wouldn't have lived here. I would've lived on campus or found an apartment, two things I can’t technically afford but I’d find a way to make it work.

“Well this went better than expected.” Emi smiles. Ryan definitely brought her here on purpose, knowing I’d never want to lose my cool in front of her.

“Hey, Gar.” Liam appears behind his girlfriend. “Everything good here?” His eyes dart between us warily, relaxing when he sees the smile on Emilia’s face.

“Yeah, all good.” I half-smile at the group, lying to myself and them. It’s not all good. Is it the biggest deal in the world? No, it’s not but living with their sister? It seems like a recipe for disaster.

“Let’s get you settled in.” Liam reaches for the bag I’m holding and I hand it over to him. He starts back up the stairs as Ryan and I head outside to grab the rest of my belongings from the truck.

“Want these two in your room?” Ryan asks, nodding to the two boxes he has in his hand.

“Yeah that’s good, thanks.” I swing my backpack onto my shoulder and grab two boxes myself, heading back into the house. As I cross the threshold of the doorway, a pretty brunette with streaks of honey in her hair and hazel eyes is placing something on the entryway table, Eliza. We met once before, last year at one of Liam’s baseball games. I remember thinking she was the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. There was something about her unguarded smile that had me sneaking glances of her all night long.

“Hi. I’m Eliza but you can call me El or Eli if you want.” She smiles at me, but it’s not the same one that I saw last semester. This one is guarded, like a front. If I had to guess Ryan didn’t tell her I was going to be her roommate until today either.

“Garrett.” It’s the best I can do to get the one word out keeping my tone even. I need to not think she’s beautiful. Ryan and Liam would kill me if they find out what I’m thinking about her. Especially when they know how I feel about relationships and love.

“Right. Welcome, roomie.” She waves awkwardly and then turns back down the hallway into the open concept living room and kitchen. My eyes follow her as she goes, drifting down to her curvy butt and thighs.

“Ahem.” I’m brought back to the present moment as Emilia clears her throat, staring at me from halfway up the stairs. I shake myself out, heading up the stairs myself. “Don’t even think about it Garrett, she’s a hopeless romantic.” Em whispers the words to me as I meet her on the stairs.

“I wasn’t thinking about anything.” Liar .

“Mhmm.” Emilia hums, eyeing me but not saying anything further as I head up the stairs to my new room.

“You’ve got my old room.” Ryan peaks his head out from the first room at the top of the stairs, the one he resided in for the three years before. “It’s slightly smaller, sorry.”

“No big deal.” I shrug, placing two boxes inside the door and placing my backpack on top of them. The room isn’t necessarily small at all, complete with a queen bed, night stands, a small desk and a dresser. Since this place came furnished I sold the few pieces I had from my old apartment, which was nice as it gave me a little extra cash. I try not to stress too much about money, though that’s easier said than done. Next year I’ll be playing in the NHL and my salary will more than cover any debt I’ve racked up.

“Do you need any help getting things set up?” Liam appears in the door frame.

“I think I’m good.” I don’t have much. A few boxes of clothes, some bedding and my hockey gear.

“Alright, I’m going to check on the girls.”

“Just a warning, El’s probably going to make this place a girly as fuck.” Ryan chuckles. “Good luck bringing a girl back here.”

I let out a breath. “It’ll be fine.” That’s not really in the plans. I mean, if it happens it happens but I also wouldn’t do that with Eliza here, I don’t want to make her uncomfortable. If anything I can just go to the girls place. That’s usually better anyways, I can make a quick escape and not have to awkwardly kick them out when the time comes. I try not to be a jerk, I’m up front about what it is when we start but for some reason there’s always a girl who thinks she can change your mind, get you to want more.

“I’m gonna head back downstairs and make sure El doesn’t need anything else.” I nod to Ryan as I move to open the box I put the bedding in. Quickly, I throw my light gray sheets on the bed and top it with the darker gray comforter. My style leaves something to be desired. I get to work on the other boxes, hanging up my shirts and filling the dresser with my other clothing. I don’t have much decor besides a few framed photos. I sit on the bed, taking one of the photos out of the box, it’s of me and my little sister eating ice cream. A soft smile graces my lips as I try to remember that day.

“Smile for a picture.” Our mom pulls out her little digital camera as Aubree and I sit across the picnic table from her with our ice cream cones. “One, two, three.”

“Cheese!!” Aubree yells, making me smile. We eat our ice cream as we look over the pond, watching the two resident swans glide across it.

“Aubs you’ve got chocolate everywhere.” I laugh as she finishes her cone, grabbing a napkin, I wipe her face.

“Thanks Gar Bear.” Aubree smiles as she lets me clean her up.

“Gar! Come down here!” Ryan’s voice bellows from downstairs, pulling me from the memory. I place the picture of my sister and I on my nightstand next to a lamp that Ryan must’ve left here. Everyone’s gathered in the living room, Emi has her arms around Eliza on the couch while the two guys stand around.

“What’s up?”

“If you guys don’t need anything else I think we’re all headed out.” Liam looks from his sister to me.

“Yeah, I’m good, thanks.”

“Me too.” Eliza nods. I say bye to Ryan and Liam with half hugs as Emilia and Eliza stand from their spot and embrace each other.

“Call me if you need anything.” Emi tells Eliza.

“I will.”

“We’ll see you soon, Eli.” Liam pulls his sister into a hug, followed by Ryan pulling her in for another.

Emilia bumps my shoulder, forcing my gaze away from my new roommate. “It’s good to see you Gar. I’ve missed you. ”

“I’ve missed you too, and Ro. It’s going to be weird without you guys here this year.”

“We’re only thirty minutes away if you ever need anything.”

“Thanks, Em.” I pull her in for a quick hug. After a few more hugs and goodbyes everyone exits through the front door, leaving Eliza and I alone for the first time. We both stand in the doorway watching Liam’s Jeep pull away and head down the street. Once the car is out of sight Eliza turns away.

“I’m going to finish unpacking my room.” Her hazel eyes lock on mine for a split second before darting away.

“Yeah,” the word comes out raspier than I intend, “sounds good. Let me know if you need anything.” She nods and then heads up the stairs. I try not to stare as she walks away, I really do but damnit does Ryan and Liam's little sister have to be so pretty? I physically shake out my body, ridding myself of any thoughts of Eliza Mills. She’s beautiful, so what? A lot of girls are beautiful.

Realizing I’m still standing alone in the doorway, my eyes trained on the spot she disappeared upstairs, I unstick my feet from where they are planted. I close the front door and survey the space around us. In the corner of the living room there’s some boxes that Eliza must have brought, I head over to them and note that they all have different labels. ‘Throw blankets’, ‘Books’ and ‘Pillows’ are just some of the labels I see.

Ryan warned me she will try to make this place girly, which doesn’t really bother me. I’m just happy to have a place to stay and their family has been kind enough to let me stay here rent free. The idea of not paying them anything doesn’t sit the best with me but Ryan said his mom and dad insisted, though come to think of it I wonder if they know it’s a guy staying here with their daughter? Probably not. I sigh to myself, running my hand over the slight stubble donning my face. What have I gotten myself into?