I nod in complete agreement and take another bite of my salad. “Yep. You were awful.” I turn to look at him. “Why were you so unhinged yesterday? Are you always like that?”
Zane makes a sound that’s somewhere between a laugh and a cough. Slater meets my eyes. “Not usually.”
I study him. “So yesterday was just a fluke?” He nods. I continue to study him. “I don’t think I believe you.”
He shrugs. “You don’t have to. I’ll prove it to you.”
I laugh. “And just how are you going to do that? I’m pretty sure I’ve already made my opinion of you.”
His eyes meet mine. “I can guarantee whatever it is, I’ll change it.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Cocky much?”
“Confident,” he says in response.
“Hmmmm.” I take another bite of salad. “Okay, Slater Thorne. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
Chapter 4
Tessa
I finish the last few bites of my salad quickly; I’m about at the end of my reserves. I need to get some sleep stat. I pick up my trash and stand. “All right, Everybody. I’m off.”
“Do you work tonight?” Evie asks.
I nod. “Do you?”
“This afternoon. Stop in before you have to start your shift. I’ll make something for you with lots of caffeine and sugar.”
“Yes, please. And let me pay for it this time.” I make sure she sees that I’m serious.
“We’ll see.”
“Evie,” I implore. She always uses her free drink on me, and I hate that.
She waves me off. “Go get some sleep; we’ll figure it out.”
“Fine. I’ll see you later. Bye, Zane.”
He looks up at me with an easy smile. “See ya, Tessa.”
I turn to the intimidating soccer player to my left. “Good to meet you, Slater,” I tell him with a grin, since we both know it’s not the first time; but I want it to be. I don’t like fighting with people, so I’m glad we cleared the air between us. I throw away my trash and make my way towards the exit. When I get there, I’m surprised to see Slater waiting at the door. I glance at him and then back at the table where I thought I left him. “You’re leaving now too?” He nods and opens the door for me. “Thanks, Slater. Have a great day.” I take a few steps and notice he’s still walking with me. I pause. “What are you doing?”
He looks down at me. “Walking with you.” He waits a beat. “Is that okay?”
I laugh and look around. “No, the entire female population of FMU will hate me by the end of day. No, thank you. It won’t matter that it doesn’t mean anything.”
“What if it meant something?”
I grin up at him. “Slater Thorne, you apologized. Just let it go. You don’t need to walk me to my dorm. I’m a big girl. Thank you, though. Have a great day.” I take a few steps forward and turn back. “Oh, and have a good soccer practice later today.” I leave him behind and make my way to my dorm.
“Tessa.”
I turn to see Ashley hurrying to catch up to me. She lives across the hall from me. “Hey, Ashley. How’s it going?”
“Was that Slater Thorne you were talking to?” she asks with wide eyes.
“Yes.”
