Worth the Chance (Watertown University #2)

40. Eliza

Chapter 40

Eliza

F or the past two nights I’ve slept at my moms house in preparation for all the Christmas festivities, plus Garrett's mom has been staying at our place in his room so he’s taken over mine for now. I did not want to awkwardly stay together while his mom was right next door which I’ve regretted slightly the past few days. There’s just something about sleeping next to him that calms me, it’s weird being without him. It is good practice though since after this next semester we will likely not be living together.

“Ryan! Those are for our guests!” Mom chides as he pops another cracker smothered in cheese into his mouth.

“Mom, I am technically a guest here now.” She rolls her eyes at him but there's a smile on her lips. She’s beyond thrilled to have all of her children home.

“Who even is this guest of honor?” Liam enters the room and goes straight for the charcuterie board.

“You are all impossible.” Mom walks away with her hands up. My phone dings in my hand and a big smile takes over my face as it lights up with a text from Garrett. They’re here. I run to the door and out to the garage to greet him and his mom. My mom comes out behind me, excited to meet Cathy. They both exit the car and my mom immediately rushes over to dote on her.

“We’ll give you both a minute.” My mom intertwines her elbow with Garrett’s moms and takes her into the house.

“Hi.” I smile up at him.

“Hi.” He pulls me into him, placing a quick kiss on my lips.

“I’m nervous.”

“You're nervous? I’m nervous. Ryan and Liam aren’t going to kill you but they might kill me.”

“They wouldn’t kill you but Emilia is here so that’s good backup.” We walk hand in hand into the house. As soon as we round the corner where my family is Emilia’s eyes land on us and light up. She gently shakes Liam who’s next to her and so engrossed in conversation with Ryan that neither of them notice Garrett and I. Liam looks to Emi and then to where she’s looking. His jaw drops and he’s about to say something when Ryan cuts him off.

“Garrett! I didn’t know you were the guest of honor.” He walks over to us to clap him on the shoulder, not yet noticing our hands.

“What is going on?” Liam walks up beside him, confusion on his face.

“What are you… oh shit! Congrats!” Ryan’s eyes flick to our connected hands and then back to our faces.

“Congrats?” Liam looks at Ryan with confusion now.

“Do you think I’m dumb? There’s a reason I set them up to be roommates.” Wait what?

“Okay kids, let’s sit down for dinner.” My mom gathers everybody, moving us all into the dining room. Garrett pulls out my seat for me before taking the one next to me. Liam sits directly across from him glaring in his direction. Emi sits next to Li, shooting me an apologetic look. Ryan’s at the head of the table between Emilia and I while the parents are at the other end having their own conversations.

Everyone piles food onto their plates while Ryan keeps most of the conversation going. He asks Garrett about hockey, Emi about school and just talks about his team.

“Liam. What’s your problem?” I finally speak up looking at my older brother.

“El. You brought home a guy that I was under the impression didn’t do relationships.”

“Don’t be cruel.”

“Well? Am I wrong.” I want to scream. He’s so wrong. I don’t even know why he’s acting like this. He likes Garrett! He always talks about how Garrett is such a great guy. Last year he even saved Em from getting taken advantage of and Liam always sings his praises.

“You’re not wrong.” Garrett clears his throat. “There were a lot of reasons I thought I couldn’t fall in love or be in a relationship but then I met your sister.”

“Aww.” Emi and my mom both coo but Liam still doesn’t look convinced.

“El is incredible. She’s so strong and has given me some of that strength to battle my own demons.” Garrett’s mom rests her hand on his forearm from the other side of him. “I know it might take a lot to convince you that I care for her and want to be it for her,” he looks between Liam and Ryan, “but I love your sister.” My fork falls out of my hand clattering against my plate.

“You love me?” Garrett’s face pales as he realizes what he says.

“I didn’t want to say that here.” He scratches the back of his neck before turning all his attention to me. Those chocolate eyes lock on mine and it’s like no one else is in the room. “Here we go, I guess. I love you, El. I don’t know how it happened but I’m so glad it did.” Tears start to pool in the corner of my eyes. “Aw, cupcake please don’t cry.”

“I just didn’t expect that.” I sniffle. “I love you too, Garrett.” I cup his face in my hand and lean in to press my lips to his.

“Ew!” Ryan exclaims from beside me before our lips even touch. “While this was one hundred percent my masterminded plan I do not want to see you guys make out.”

“I think they’re adorable.” Emi pipes up. “Two great people in love, what more could you ask for?” She bats her eyes at Liam and you can basically see him fold. He’s so in love with her that if this makes her happy he’ll get right on board.

“You’re right, baby.” He puts his arm around her. “But I agree with Ryan, I don’t need to see you guys make out.”

“I need to hear more about how you masterminded this plan.” Dean laughs from the other end of the table.

“Yeah, I definitely need to learn more about this.” Mom chimes in.

“Well obviously Eliza was going to live in the Watertown house but over the summer Garrett had asked me if he knew of anyone who needed another roommate. Truth be told, I did, not hockey guys but some baseball and basketball players were looking. But I decided to have him move in with El. Mostly, I thought he’d be there to protect her.”

“Hey! I can protect myself.” I’m only slightly offended. I know his brotherly instincts will always want an extra layer.

“I know you can protect yourself but it worked out so you can’t be mad.” Well, he’s got a point there. “I also knew El would be able to get him out of his shell. Now, I didn’t think they’d necessarily fall in love but I thought her hopeless romantic ways might at least open him up to the idea of it.”

“Well, I think that all worked out rather nicely.” Cathy adds, smiling at her son.

“It definitely did.” Mom agrees .

“Wait? Did mom know El’s roommate was a guy?” Liam looks between Ryan and mom.

“Not at first.” Ryan winces as Mom answers. “But he told me like a week after they both moved in.”

“It definitely took me by surprise but I’m happy with how everything has gone.”

The rest of the day goes by without a hitch. Liam quickly warmed to the idea of Garrett and I being together especially when Emilia reminded him of how he was there for her. After dinner we all migrated to the couch, watching Christmas movies while eating an array of different cookies and desserts.

“Thank you for having us, cupcake.” Garrett whispers in my ear as he watches our moms laugh together over an old photo album.

“I love you.” It feels so surreal to be able to set those three little words free.

“I love you, too.”