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 2

Overview

Garrett's casual hookup with Kendall ends when she admits she wants a real relationship and Garrett refuses, reinforcing that hockey remains his top priority over romance. Later, a conversation with Logan makes Garrett confront how urgently his failing ethics grade threatens his captaincy and playing time. The chapter pushes Garrett toward Hannah again, because her tutoring now feels essential to both his season and his future.

Summary

After study group, Garrett returns to the off-campus house he shares with Logan, Tucker, and Dean and finds his roommates drunk. Logan and Tucker push Garrett upstairs to a "surprise," and Garrett discovers Kendall waiting in his room in lingerie. Because Garrett and Kendall have an established casual history, Garrett immediately understands what his friends arranged, and the two sleep together.

Afterward, the mood changes when Kendall cuddles up and says she missed Garrett. Garrett realizes she wants more than a hookup, which confirms the concern he felt when he saw how much effort she had put into the visit. When Kendall directly asks if Garrett missed her, Garrett cannot honestly say yes, and the conversation turns into a breakup.

Garrett explains that he had always been clear that he did not want a serious relationship. He tells Kendall that hockey consumes his schedule and that he does not have time to be a boyfriend, even though he thinks she deserves more. Kendall admits she wants to be his girlfriend, then decides she cannot keep seeing Garrett if staying casual will only make her more attached. The exchange ends more peacefully than Garrett expected, and Kendall leaves on good terms.

Hungry, Garrett goes downstairs and talks with Logan about upcoming hockey games, including a dangerous rematch against St. Anthony's now that Greg Braxton's suspension is over. That conversation reminds Garrett how serious his academic problem is, because failing Professor Tolbert's ethics redo could cost him his eligibility for major games. Garrett finally tells Logan about the F, and Logan urges him to do whatever it takes to raise the grade. Reassured that he has a tutor lined up, Garrett returns upstairs determined to put more pressure on Hannah Wells to help him.

Who Appears

  • Garrett Graham
    Hockey captain who ends things with Kendall and grows more desperate to fix his failing ethics grade.
  • Kendall
    Garrett's casual hookup; surprises him in lingerie, then asks for a real relationship and leaves when he refuses.
  • Logan
    Garrett's best friend and teammate; helps set up Kendall's visit and urges Garrett to save his eligibility.
  • Hannah Wells
    Garrett's prospective tutor, mentioned as the smart student he needs to help him pass ethics.
  • Tucker
    Roommate and teammate who drinks, games with Logan, and helps create the setup for Garrett's surprise.
  • Dean
    Roommate seen drunkenly making out in the living room, underscoring the house's party atmosphere.
  • Greg Braxton
    Suspended St. Anthony's player whose return raises tension before an upcoming game.
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