Worth the Chance (Watertown University #2)

25. Eliza

Chapter 25

Eliza

I t’s been a week since Garrett and I made it official. We haven’t had the opportunity to go on a real date between all of his practices combined with all the studying I’ve been doing for my classes but today we’re headed to the library for a study date since we both have the early afternoon free.

We stop at The Blue Bean where Garrett instructs them on how to make my iced latte, safely, and watches them as they do to make sure there’s no cross contamination with their food products. My heart squeezes in my chest. I can’t believe someone would go to these lengths for me just so I can have something I like. I know it seems simple but I often won’t order coffee out, though I have gotten comfortable ordering it here on my own because the staff is so friendly. Some days though it still stresses me out and makes me nervous to ask them about their ingredients or to wash their hands. Garrett though? He has no problem being my voice.

“Thank you.” He hands me my latte and holds on to his iced americano. With his free hand he weaves his fingers through mine as we head to the library. A group of beautiful girls all smile when they see Garrett but they do a double take as they see our connected hands. I don’t miss the glares some of the girls shoot in my direction and neither does Garrett as he squeezes my hand tighter and pulls me closer to him.

“I guess you really do have groupies.” I try to laugh off the stares and looks from the girls as I sit down at a table in the back of the library. It’s hard though, those girls are beautiful. How could he have not possibly gone for one of them?

“They don’t mean anything to me, El.” Garrett takes the seat right next to me.

“I know.” I give him a small smile. I know they don't, which should be reassuring but I can’t shake the feeling that I could be one of them one day. Just a girl he shared a smile and a night with.

“What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?” He turns my chair so that I’m facing him, sandwiching me between his legs.

“Those girls were beautiful Garrett.”

“Okay…” His eyebrows pinch together like he doesn’t quite know where I’m going with this.

“I just don’t understand why you wouldn’t go for one of them. They are stunning and would do anything for a sliver of your attention. Why am I the one you actually want to commit to? I know it sounds dumb but I guess I just can’t understand when you can have any girl, why me?”

As soon as the words leave my mouth I feel slightly embarrassed. I didn’t mean to have a conversation like this here of all places. Garrett stands, grabbing both of my hands and pulling me up. He looks around before dragging me behind a bookshelf that’s on our left. My back is against the shelf with his arms on either side of me as he leans down with a smirk on his face.

“Garrett, what are you…” He cuts me off with a kiss. I can’t stop my lips from parting slightly, granting his tongue ac cess. As a moan works its way up my throat my eyes go wide, remembering where we are I pull back slightly. We’re on the third floor so there’s not many people up here, just a few students on the other side of the room but still.

“Eliza. I don’t want those other girls.” He twirls a piece of my hair in his fingers. “You're the one who makes me feel… god, I don’t even know how to describe it but my heart feels full when I’m with you.” He snakes one hand around my waist. “Plus it doesn’t hurt that you’re fucking stunning.”

It’s me who kisses him now. Reaching up I cup the back of his head and pull him into me. I get lost in the kiss and the way his tongue swirls with mine. He tastes minty with a slight hint of coffee. Only when I moan as he lightly bites my bottom lip do we break apart.

“We should probably study.” His eyes are telling me they want to do anything but that.

“Yeah, probably.” I say it reluctantly but I really do need to do homework and he promised to help me with my accounting class since he’d taken the class last year.

Studying with Garrett paid off as I got the highest grade on my test that I’ve gotten yet. It puts a little pep in my step as I exit the building and make my way to my car. I decide to call my mom on the way home and share the good news with her, she answers after the third ring.

“Hi honey! How are you?” My phone connects over the bluetooth in my car.

“Hi mom. I’m doing really well actually. I just got my test back from last week in accounting and I got a ninety!”

“That’s amazing, I’m so proud of you! That’s the class you were struggling in right?”

“It is.” I try to call my mom once a week but between studying, baking and everything else I haven’t been the best at it. My mom understands though. We text at least a few times a week to keep up but something about actually talking to her makes me smile.

“What helped?”

“You remember Garrett? From Liam’s baseball game?”

“Oh, yes, the handsome one.”

“Mom!”

“I just call it like I see it.”

“Anyways. He’s taken the class and helped me study.”

“How sweet of him.” I can tell my mom wants to ask more questions. Ones I don’t want to answer.

“Well, I just wanted to let you know. I’m pulling up to the house now.”

“Okay sweetie. Love you.”

“Love you too.” I press the end button as I park in the driveway. Hopefully mom doesn’t say anything to Liam or Ryan about their friend studying with me. I know they’d have some serious questions if they found out and I’m not ready to expose our relationship to my whole family. I love my family to bits but I know they can be overwhelming. This is all so new and I want to give us time to find our footing.

When Garrett gets home I’m excited to show him my grade. I feel like a little kid as I bounce on the balls of my feet, watching him get out of his truck through the window that’s next to the front door. He smiles as he sees me and I swing open the door for him.

“You seem excited.” He laughs lightly, putting down his backpack.

“I got a ninety!” I turn around my graded paper for him to see.

“El, that’s incredible!” He pulls me into his arms, hoisting me up. He puts his hands under my thighs and I wrap mine around his neck. “I’m so proud of you. ”

“I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“You could’ve but I’m happy to help.” He presses a kiss to my lips and everything feels right in the world.