The Deal by Elle Kennedy - 45

HANNAH

March

“ W hy is your ex-crush in my living room?” Garrett drops the whispered accusation in my ear as he comes up beside me.

My gaze shifts to Justin, who is on the couch playing a complicated-looking shooting video game with Tucker. Then I turn back to Garrett, who looks more amused than pissed. “Because he’s my friend, and I invited him. Deal with it.”

“You don’t think it’s kind of a dick move to invite him? I mean, the football team did shit all this season, and now he has to come celebrate with the hockey crowd for making it to the semi-finals? And he has to be around the perfect specimen of manhood who stole you away?” Garrett’s gray eyes twinkle. “You’re a terrible person.”

“Oh, shut it. He’s happy that you guys are going to the Frozen Four.” I bring my lips close to his ear. “And don’t tell anyone this or I’ll kill you, but he’s been hooking up with Stella this past month.”

“For real?” Garrett’s jaw drops as he glances across the room, where Stella, Dex, and Allie are in the middle of an animated conversation with Logan and Simms. It’s still kind of bizarre seeing my friends interacting with Garrett’s friends, but we’ve all hung out dozens of times over the past three months, so I’m starting to get used to it.

From his spot next to Dex, Logan senses me watching them and lifts his head, and…well, that’s something I haven’t gotten used to. The look he gives me burns with unmistakable longing, and it’s not the first time he’s looked at me like that. When I brought it up to Garrett—just once, in the most awkward conversation ever—he simply sighed and said, “He’ll get over it.” No anger on Garrett’s part, no resentment, just that one measly sentence, which hasn’t done much to soothe my worries.

I don’t like the idea that Garrett’s best friend might have feelings for me, but Logan hasn’t tried to make a move on me, and he sure as hell hasn’t talked to me about it, so that’s a relief, I guess. But I really do hope he gets over whatever he’s feeling, because as much as I like the guy, I’m totally and unequivocally in love with his best friend, and that’s never going to change.

This semester has been a busy one for us. I’m yet again rehearsing, this time for the spring showcase, and this time it is a duet—with Dexter, and the two of us are having a blast working together. Garrett and the team have been killing it in the post season. The championship is next week, and the venue for it just happens to be the Wells Fargo Center, home of the Philadelphia Flyers, which means that, yep, I’m going to be watching the final game live, and staying at Aunt Nicole’s for the three days the team is in Philly.

There’s no doubt in my mind that the team will crush it. Garrett and the guys have worked hard this season, and if they don’t win this final game, I’ll eat my hat. Either that, or give my man lots and lots of consolation sex. Such a chore.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” Garrett says suddenly, and I turn around to see Birdie and Natalie appear in the doorway where Garrett and I are lurking.

Their faces are flushed and their expressions are secretive, leaving no doubt as to why they’re late for the party. I give Nat a hug of greeting, then smile at Birdie, who responds to Garrett’s taunt with a defensive look.

“Hey, I already told you I’m against this party. It’s bad luck to celebrate before you’ve even won.”

“Naah, we’ve got this in the bag, man.” Garrett grins and leans in to smack a kiss on my cheek. “Besides, I’ve already won the most important prize of all.”

I’m pretty sure my cheeks turn into a pair of tomatoes.

Natalie groans good-naturedly, but Birdie, to my surprise, just nods in approval .

“See,” Garrett informs us as he slings an arm around my shoulder, “I’m allowed to say stuff like that to Birdie because I know he won’t make fun of me.”

“Well, he should,” I grumble, “because that line was cheesy as hell.”

“Oh, shut it,” he mimics. “You like it when I’m romantic.”

Yep. I really do.

Birdie and Nat wander off to say hi to everyone, but Garrett and I stay in our little corner. He tugs me toward him and kisses me, and even though I’m anti-PDA, it’s impossible to think about social etiquette when Garrett Graham is kissing me.

His lips are warm and firm, his tongue hot and wet as he slides it into my mouth for a fleeting taste. I part my lips eagerly, wanting more, but he chuckles and tweaks a strand of my hair.

“Stop being inappropriate, Hannah. We’re in public .”

“Ha. Like I can’t see your boner.”

His gaze drops to his crotch, and he sighs when he notices the bulge straining against his jeans. “For fuck’s sake, Wellsy, you get me hard without me even noticing.” He frowns. “Damn it, now I’m gonna have to leave my own party so we can go upstairs and take care of this. Thanks a lot.”

I snort. “Dream on. There’s no way I’m doing the walk of shame afterward in front of all our friends.”

His face collapses. “You’re ashamed of me?”

“Don’t give me that little boy trickery.” I poke him in the chest. “It doesn’t work on me anymore.”

“Little boy?” he echoes. A wicked smile curves his mouth as he angles his body so that he’s facing away from the room. Then he takes my hand and plants it directly over his hard-on. “Does this feel little or boyish to you?”

Shivers fly up my spine. Oh no. Now I’m turned on.

As my heart pounds and my body tingles, I let out an annoyed groan and grab his hand. “Fine. Let’s go upstairs.”

“Nope. I changed my mind about that. We’re going to stay down here and enjoy the party.”

I drop his hand like a hot potato and scowl deeply. “You’re such a vagina-tease.”

Garrett laughs. “Yeah, but you still love me.”

Tiny butterflies of happiness take flight in my stomach and dance around my heart. I take his hand again and lace our fingers together. “Yeah,” I murmur with a smile. “I still love you.”