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 45

Overview

This chapter shows Hannah and Garrett fully settled back into a happy, public relationship as they celebrate the hockey team's postseason run. Hannah's friendship with Justin is normalized, but Logan's unresolved feelings create a small lingering discomfort in the background. The chapter also points forward to the championship in Philadelphia and ends by reaffirming Hannah and Garrett's mutual love.

Summary

At a party celebrating the hockey team's postseason success, Garrett joins Hannah in a corner and jokingly objects to seeing Justin in the living room. Hannah reminds Garrett that Justin is now her friend and says she invited him, then quietly reveals that Justin has been hooking up with Stella for the past month. The exchange shows that the old romantic tension with Justin is gone, and that Hannah and Garrett are comfortable enough to joke about it.

As Hannah looks around the room, she notices how much their social circles have blended over the last three months. She is still unsettled by the way Logan looks at her, because his expression suggests he has feelings for her, but Logan has not acted on them. Hannah reflects that she loves Garrett completely and wants Logan's feelings to fade, because her commitment to Garrett is not going to change.

Hannah then thinks about how busy the semester has been. She is rehearsing for the spring showcase and enjoying a duet with Dexter, while Garrett and the hockey team have dominated the postseason. The championship is scheduled for the following week in Philadelphia, and Hannah is confident the team will win, which underlines both Garrett's athletic momentum and her excitement about supporting him there.

When Birdie and Natalie arrive late, their flushed faces make it obvious they were delayed for intimate reasons. Birdie complains that throwing a party before winning is bad luck, but Garrett brushes that off and says he has already won the most important prize by being with Hannah. His public affection embarrasses Hannah, but Birdie's approving reaction signals acceptance rather than ridicule.

After Birdie and Natalie move on, Garrett kisses Hannah, and their private banter turns openly sexual. Hannah resists sneaking upstairs because she does not want to return to the party embarrassed, and Garrett teases her by turning her on and then refusing to leave the room. The scene ends with playful affection rather than conflict, as Hannah takes his hand and tells him she still loves him.

Who Appears

  • Hannah
    Narrator who attends the party, reflects on her semester, worries about Logan, and reaffirms her love for Garrett.
  • Garrett
    Hannah's boyfriend who jokes about Justin, flirts heavily, and celebrates the team's postseason success.
  • Justin
    Hannah's former crush, now just a friend, attending the party and reportedly hooking up with Stella.
  • Logan
    Garrett's best friend whose longing looks toward Hannah continue to make her uneasy.
  • Birdie
    Late arrival with Natalie who warns the pre-championship party is bad luck and surprisingly approves Garrett's romance.
  • Natalie
    Birdie's companion who arrives late, greets Hannah, and joins the party.
  • Stella
    Mentioned as the woman Justin has been hooking up with over the past month.
  • Dexter
    Hannah's spring showcase duet partner, also present at the party.
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