Worth the Chance (Watertown University #2)

6. Garrett

Chapter 6

Garrett

T he first day of my senior year started with thoughts of my pretty roommate. I heard her shuffling around this morning, trying to be quiet as she got ready for the day. She wasn’t even particularly loud but it’s like my body woke up because it knew she was up. Pathetic, Garrett. I forced myself to stay in my room unsure I’d be able to control myself if she was downstairs in those little shorts and oversized hoodie again today.

I really need to get a grip on this… whatever this is. It’s been a while since I’ve hooked up with anyone. Maybe I need to go out this weekend and find someone. I don’t do the whole love and commitment thing. I’ve seen first hand how easily a family can be torn apart and I have no interest in that. However, I’ve never been opposed to the occasional hookup as long as both parties are consenting and on the same page.

Once I hear Eliza leave out the front door, I finally venture out of my room. The first thing I notice is the sweet scent that penetrates the air. It smells sweet, like flowers and s’mores. It’s delicious and seems to fit Eliza’s personality perfectly. As I enter the bathroom I notice it’s in slight disarray, some kind of hair tool unplugged on the counter and a few products that I assume are makeup scattered around the sink. Living with a girl is going to be an adjustment for sure. I work around her things as I get ready for the day.

After my first class I grab lunch with some of the guys on the team. Bryan wants the upperclassmen to get to know the freshmen better and help them feel more comfortable on the team. Training isn’t my strong suit but I can be social for the sake of the team.

“How’s that roommate of yours?” Bryan sits down next to me with a tray of chicken, potatoes and broccoli.

“It’s going well so far.” It’s the truth. It’s only been two days but we seem to be on the path of becoming acquaintances.

“Mmm.” He nods as he shoves a spoonful of mash into his mouth.

“What do you mean, mmm?” I can tell there’s more he wants to say.

“Are you really going to be able to just be roommates with her? Living with a girl in that close of proximity especially a pretty one would be… well hard to say the least.” He’s not entirely wrong. It’s going to be difficult because that girl’s thighs, mixed with her scent and everything else about her is attractive as fuck.

“It’ll be fine. She’s Ryan and Liam’s little sister.” I say it to tell him why no boundaries will be crossed but also to remind myself of why I cannot cross them.

“Whatever you say, Gar.” There’s a sly look on his face, one I choose to ignore as I try to eat the rest of my meal in peace.

My second and final class of the day, quantitative methods of business, is not exactly a thrilling class, though those who aren’t majoring in finance would say none of our classes are thrilling. They’d be right but I’m good at numbers and want a secure, stable future so this major seemed like a no brainer. I’m going into the NHL, the Boston Gladiators, pending graduation but it’s good to have a backup plan and to know how to invest the salary I’ll make as a professional athlete. There’s too many horror stories about people blowing through their money and that is not a situation I want to find myself in.

I make it home just before two. Eliza and I discussed grocery shopping today after my class but we didn’t set an exact time and I wanted to be here right at two just in case she was ready to go. When I walk in the front door I’m greeted by the smell of sugar and strawberries. My nose guides me down the small hallway and into the open concept living and kitchen room.

“Hello?” I call out but there’s no answer. I look around the room for any sign of Eliza when I notice the back sliding door is open, leaving just the screen door. Opening the screen door I step outside onto the patio, Eliza eyes flying up to me from her hunched over position on one of the chairs.

“Hey.”

“Hi.”

“Did you make cupcakes?” My eyes drift back to the house.

“Yep.” She closes the notebook in her lap before her eyes look up again, locking with mine. That’s when I notice how red they are and note the black stains underneath them.

Fuck. I hate it when girls cry. I’m frozen in place unsure how to handle this situation. Does she want to talk about it? Should I simply ignore the elephant in the room?

“Did you still want to go grocery shopping?” I regret those being my choice of words as soon as they leave my mouth. She stares at me for a second, confusion written on her face like she’s surprised I’m not commenting on her current state.

“Um, yeah. Just let me get cleaned up.” She pushes up from off the chair giving me the smallest smile before sliding past me and inside. Damnit Garrett. I’m not good with crying. It reminds me of my sister and that reminder is a slippery slope to go down. I shake the thoughts from my mind, taking in a deep breath of the fresh air before heading back inside. I’m again greeted with the sweet and sugary smell. Unable to avoid the temptation that is the cupcakes I make my way over to the counter. The way these cupcakes are decorated is uniquely Eliza. One can’t hurt right?

I’m on my third cupcake when Eliza appears back in the kitchen.

“Did you eat three?” She eyes the tray she had them displayed on.

“Uh… maybe. I probably should've asked first.” I nervously run my hand through my hair. I didn’t even stop to think she could’ve made these for something or someone else. The thought alone causes a weird sensation in my chest that I brush off as too much sugar.

“No, it’s fine. As I said there’d likely be lots of desserts around here and you are welcome to eat them all. As much as I love baking, I can’t eat them all, well I could but my thighs wouldn’t appreciate it.” Her cheeks flush slightly at the end of that statement. Is she insecure about her thighs? I sure fucking hope not because they are one of the very things tempting me. “Anyways, ready?”

“Yeah.” I shove the last bite of cupcake into my mouth as we head out the door. We’re both silent as I drive us to the store. Typically I’m not one to care about what others think of me or what I drive but I feel myself become a little self conscious seeing Eliza sit in the passenger side of my pickup truck. This truck is well loved, I bought it, used, four years ago and you can definitely tell it's been through it.

Eliza drives a newer model RAV4 and from what I’ve seen of it, it’s in pristine condition. I shake myself from my thoughts yet again, I seem to be getting lost in my head too much today. It doesn’t matter if she likes what I’m driving or not. It gets me from point A to point B and that’s all that matters .

Eliza grabs a cart when we arrive at the local supermarket, making her way to the fresh produce section.

“So, how do you want to do this? We buy things for our own meals or…”

“I made a list.” She pulls a piece of paper out of her purse. “I mean we don’t have to eat together or anything since you’ll have practice and what not but I can leave you leftovers if you want.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Garrett, it's fine. It’s easier to buy and cook for two people anyways.” I nod, she has a point I guess. “Perfect. Obviously get whatever else you need for breakfasts and such.” We continue throughout the grocery store picking up things from her list. The produce section was the easiest to navigate as she threw strawberries, apples, bananas and chicken into the cart without second glance. The other aisles became more tedious. I watched as she carefully inspected labels on things like chocolate chips and pasta sauce.

“So, it’s a lot more work grocery shopping for you, huh?” I’ve taken over pushing the cart, to allow her hands to be free for shopping.

“It can be.” She nods as she picks up a carton of ice cream, flipping it over to read the back. “Some things I just know are fine and others I check the label every time because once and a while companies will change their ingredients.”

“That’s annoying.”

“You’re telling me,” she laughs lightly, “I’ve been duped one too many times.”

“So what happens when you eat gluten?”

“The symptoms vary person by person. For me, I usually get stomach pain, headaches, and brain fog. Kind of feels like a hangover.” Wow, this girl is strong. I can’t believe she has to go through all that just because she ate one crumb of something she shouldn’t have .

We finish up our grocery shopping, Eliza insists on paying for at least half despite me saying I could cover it. I don’t argue too hard since this was by far the most expensive grocery shopping I’ve ever done. My eyes nearly jumped right out of my head at the price of the bread she bought.