Cover of The Deal (Off-Campus, #1)

Off-Campus, #1

The Deal

by Elle Kennedy


Genre
Romance, Contemporary, Sports
Year
2017
Pages
437
Contents

Chapter 31

Overview

After hearing that Justin asked Hannah out, Garrett confronts her and demands to know where he stands. The argument forces Garrett to admit he wants their relationship to be official, while Hannah’s hesitation reveals how frightened and unprepared she is for defining what they have become.

Because Garrett already views their bond as serious, Hannah’s uncertainty feels like rejection and exploitation to him. He storms out hurt and angry, turning a moment that could have deepened their relationship into a crisis that threatens to break it apart.

Summary

Late at night, Garrett texts Hannah that he needs to talk and then reveals he is already outside her dorm. His tense, emotionless manner makes Hannah fear something happened with his father, but once they are alone in her room, Garrett immediately asks whether she is going out with Justin that weekend.

Hannah admits Justin did ask her out and that she said yes, but she explains she has not decided whether she will actually go. When Garrett learns Justin asked before Hannah and Garrett slept together, he briefly relaxes, but he becomes angry again when Hannah says she is still undecided. Hannah pushes back by reminding Garrett that they are not officially dating and have only been fooling around.

That challenge forces Garrett to say what he wants more directly. He argues that his priorities have changed and suggests he wants Hannah to be his girlfriend. Hannah, however, is caught off guard. Because she never expected their arrangement to become a real relationship, she admits she has not thought through what they are or where things might lead.

Hannah’s uncertainty hurts Garrett deeply because he already sees their connection as something serious and meaningful. He starts to say more, then stops himself. Instead, Garrett bitterly reduces his role to being Hannah’s "sex therapist" and "fluffer," accusing her of using him to get ready for Justin.

Hannah objects, insisting that Justin asked her out before she and Garrett slept together and that she likely was not going to accept the date anyway. Garrett, still feeling rejected and used, tells Hannah to go on the date and leaves in anger, slamming both doors behind him. After he is gone, Hannah realizes she likely understands what their relationship means after all, and she fears her hesitation may have ruined it.

Who Appears

  • Hannah Wells
    Narrator; faces Garrett’s confrontation, admits uncertainty, and realizes her hesitation may have damaged their relationship.
  • Garrett Graham
    Confronts Hannah about Justin, reveals he wants an official relationship, and leaves hurt after feeling rejected.
  • Justin Kohl
    The guy who asked Hannah out; his invitation triggers Garrett and Hannah’s conflict.
  • Logan
    Tells Garrett that Justin is supposedly taking Hannah out, prompting Garrett’s late-night visit.
  • Allie
    Hannah’s roommate, already in bed when Garrett arrives to talk privately.
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