The Campus Bad Boy Bet He Could Make the Poor Transfer Student Fall for Him — Then He Fell First
Chapter 1
Jake Callahan had never been good at saying no to a challenge.
At Westbridge University, people knew him for three things.
His family had money.
He was the captain of the university’s basketball team.
And he had a reputation for getting whatever he wanted.
Girls asked about him.
Guys wanted to be him.
Professors knew his last name before they knew his grades.
Jake enjoyed the attention.
He didn’t take any of it too seriously.
He was twenty-two.
Life was supposed to be fun.
That Friday night, Jake sat at a corner table in the university’s favorite student bar with his closest friends, Tyler and Mason.
Tyler leaned across the table.
“New girl.”
Jake glanced toward the entrance.
A young woman had just walked in.
She wasn’t dressed like the other students.
No designer jacket.
No expensive handbag.
She wore a simple navy sweater, faded jeans, and white sneakers that had clearly seen better days.
Her backpack was old.
She looked nervous.
“Who is she?” Jake asked.
“Transfer student,” Mason said.
“Elena Carter.”
Jake watched her order a cheap sandwich and a cup of water.
“She’s different.”
Tyler smiled.
“That’s what everybody says.”
Jake shrugged.
“So?”
“So I bet you can’t get her to fall for you.”
Jake laughed.
“That’s your challenge?”
“Before the semester ends.”
Mason joined in.
“She looks like the type who doesn’t date.”
Jake leaned back.
“Everyone dates.”
Tyler grinned.
“Not her.”
Jake looked again.
Elena was sitting alone at a table near the window, reading a textbook.
She barely looked up.
“What’s the bet?”
Tyler pushed his phone across the table.
“Everyone puts in five hundred.”
Jake laughed.
“That’s it?”
“Unless you don’t think you can.”
Jake shook his head.
“You guys are idiots.”
“Scared?”
Jake stood.
“Fine.”
They shook hands.
The challenge began.
What Jake didn’t know was that Elena had come to Westbridge for one reason.
To graduate.
Nothing else.
She had transferred on a full academic scholarship after her community college ended unexpectedly.
Her mother was recovering from surgery back home.
Her younger brother, Noah, was still in high school.
Elena worked mornings at a bakery and evenings in the university library.
She didn’t have time for parties.
Didn’t have time for romance.
And definitely didn’t have time for rich boys who thought they could buy attention.
The next Monday, Jake approached her outside the economics building.
“You’re Elena, right?”
She looked up.
“Yes.”
“I’m Jake.”
“I know.”
That surprised him.
“You do?”
“Everyone knows you.”
He smiled.
“Good.”
She adjusted her backpack.
“Did you need something?”
He hesitated.
“Actually, I wanted to ask if you had the notes from Friday’s lecture.”
“I missed Friday.”
“Oh.”
She looked at him.
“Why?”
“Basketball.”
She nodded.
“Then ask Professor Hall.”
Jake laughed.
“You don’t make things easy.”
“I wasn’t trying to.”
She walked away.
Jake watched her.
Tyler texted:
Round one.
Jake smiled.
He liked this.
For the first time, someone wasn’t impressed by him.
The next day, he found her in the library.
He sat across from her.
She looked up.
“What?”
“I need help.”
“With?”
“Economics.”
“You have the professor’s office hours.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you here?”
Jake smiled.
“Maybe I prefer your explanation.”
She stared at him.
Then sighed.
“Fine.”
She helped him.
For forty minutes.
No flirting.
No smiles.
Just studying.
When they finished, Jake asked:
“Can I buy you coffee?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t know you.”
He laughed.
“That’s fair.”
She packed her books.
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
Jake watched her leave.
Tyler was waiting outside.
“Well?”
Jake smiled.
“She’ll come around.”
He believed it.
At least for now.
Because he still thought this was a game.
He hadn’t realized that the girl who didn’t care about his reputation was about to become the first person he couldn’t charm his way into impressing.
