He glances over at me. “I’m really happy for you. Do you think you’ll be able to focus on the game now?”
I look out the window. “Honestly? No, but I’m going to give it my best shot.”
Zane chuckles. “I get it, but that’s all anybody can ask for.”
Neither of us say anything else the rest of the drive. When he pulls up to the hotel our team’s staying at, he parks. “Are you going to be in trouble?”
“Hopefully not. Ben’s covering for me.”
“Sounds like we’re going to owe Ben after all this.”
I smirk. “Yeah.”
“Maybe pay him back by scoring a few times on Monday.”
I look over at him. “A few times?”
He nods. “You’ve done it before; you can do it again.”
With those words ringing in my ears, I climb out. “Thanks.” I hope he hears everything I want him to hear in that one word.
“Yeah.”
I don’t watch him drive away. I head inside, my mind already turning back to the weekend ahead. I have one last game to focus on, and it’s high time I focus on it. Now that I’ve bonded with Tessa—I stop in my tracks.We’re bonded now.It hits me like a ton of bricks. We can talk any time now. I don’t waste another moment. I reach out to her, the same way I would one of my pack members.Tessa.The moment I connect to her, I feel her. I feel her warmth, her happiness, that sunshine personality, and also her shock.So, now that we’ve bonded, we can do this. We can connect to each other any time.Knowing she doesn’t know how to do it, I start to coach her through it.Think of me and—
Slater!
Her voice in my head shocks me, even though I was mentally preparing for it. I grin.That was fast.
I sort of freaked and ran right out to find Evie. She explained how to do it. Slater, this is amazing!
Yeah, it is, Baby. I’ve never understood what a gift this form of connection was until right now at this very moment. You can reach out to me any time you want.
You may never get anything done again,she warns.I’m a talker, you know.
I smile to myself as I make my way to the room I’m sharing with Diego.I know. It's one of the things I love about you.
You say that now,she starts.
And I’ll be saying that twenty years from now,I assure her.
I stop right outside my door.I’m back now.
Okay, I won’t bother you.
Not what I was going to say. Reach out anytime. I’ll let you know if I can’t talk right then, but I’ll always respond.
Okay, but it’s okay for you to focus now. I’m safe; everything is good, no, really good between us.
I smile.Yeah, it is. Stay close to the guys over the weekend. We just need to get through this weekend and then we’ll figure everything else out. I want to have a conversation about you possibly moving in to our house, but only if you want to.I wait for her response.Tessa?When there’s still nothing, I instantly connect with Zane.Do you have eyes on Tessa? She was talking to me, and now there’s nothing.
Checking now.My fists curl, and I turn around and start making my way back down the hallway as my worry increases.She’s out, Man.I slow my stride.
Oh.I’d forgotten about the healing power of my tongue also acting as a sedative.I forgot. Thanks. Keep an eye on her for me?
Of course.
I can’t help my smile when I think about her sleeping because of me. Hopefully, she’ll get the rest she so desperately needs. “Slate.”
