I lift it in a mock toast to her. “You make the best drinks. Thank you.”
“Hope it keeps you awake tonight. I mean, it’s got four shots; so, it should.”
My eyes widen. “Or I’ll have a heart attack. One or the other.”
She laughs and waves as another customer comes up to the counter. “Oh, Tessa, Slater has an away game Saturday night. Zane and I are going to go because he doesn’t have a game. Want to go?”
I don’t tell her that Slater just invited me; I’m still not really sure what to do about him. I do a quick mental check of my work schedule. I’m on tonight, and then I have off Tuesday and Wednesday. Then I’m back on Thursday and Friday. I’m off again on Saturday and Sunday. “Yes! That would be so fun! I haven’t been able to catch many soccer games this season.”
“Yay! It will be so fun! I’ll find out all the details from Zane and let you know.”
“Thanks, Evie.” I'm almost to the door when I remember. I turn around. “Evie, who was it?”
She looks up at me and grins and mouths,Slate.
I ponder the fact that Slater left a gift card for me with Evie for me to buy coffees.Why? Why would he do that?Then I chalk it up to him knowing I work nights. He must have seen how tired I was and wanted to help. I take another sip of my coffee as I walk across campus. My mind runs over the enigma of Slater Thorne. I don’t quite get him. Evie said he was a jerk, and he was when I first met him. But he’s been really nice to me.Maybe he just feels bad,some voice in the far recess of my brain argues. I’m not really sure, but I owe him big time. First, he drove me to the house where I could sleep; then he let me borrow his truck. And now, he bought a gift card for me to use to buy coffee. I pull out my phone.
Me-Slater Thorne. You confuse me. I thought you were a jerk, but then you drove me to your house today so I could sleep. You let me drive your truck, and now Evie tells me there’s a gift card with my name on it for coffee from you. What gives?I pause here and then grin.You better be careful treating a girl this way. She’s bound to get attached to you and not let you go.I laugh in my head at the panic that surely’s going to cross his face. I haven’t been around Slater too much, but I know he avoids people like the plague. The idea of a girl following him around probably makes him break out in hives.
I get to the security shack and wave to Dan. “How was it today?”
“Fine,” he answers easily. “Is Hayes training you again tonight?”
“I think I'm flying solo.” I scan my card. “Anything I need to know?”
“There’s a big group gathered on the North end by the music hall. There’s some sort of music competition the band is heading to, but that shouldn't affect you.”
I pocket a flashlight. “Nope.”
“Other than that, it should be a pretty quiet night. No games.”
“Sounds good. Thanks, Dan.”
“You’re welcome.”
I head out and towards the beginning of my route. I snag my ear buds from my pocket and put them in and start up my music. It’s not until about an hour into my shift that my phone dings with a return text from Slater. It’s just three words long.
Slater-that's the idea
Chapter 7
Tessa
Before I can blink, it’s Saturday morning. I make my way back to my room, so incredibly thankful it’s Saturday. I don’t have another shift until Monday night. Through bleary eyes, I head inside and up the stairs to my room. I have just enough time to get a shower, get packed, and be ready to go at seven. As tired as I am, I’m really excited for this trip. It will be my first road trip to a college game. After a shower, I feel a little more alive. I dress in my favorite FMU shirt. It’s a soccer shirt that’s designed to look just like the guys’ shirts. It’s navy and light weight with a white stripe running down the side. Best of all, it has Slater’s name and number seven on it. My parents got it for me last year for Christmas, and it is my absolute favorite. I pair it with jeans since it’s a little chilly, and the game will be outside. I leave my hair down to dry in the car. When we get there, I’ll throw it in braids or something. I throw on some makeup and my socks and sneakers. I grab my phone, a blanket and pillow so I can sleep in the car, and my wallet. I look around the room once more, making sure I’m not forgetting anything.
“Are you leaving?”
I turn back to Stephanie, who’s just waking up. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You didn’t. I need to get up early to study. So, you’re leaving?”
“Yeah. I’m going to the soccer game today with Evie.” I hesitate, feeling bad I didn’t check with her. “Did you want to come?”
“It’s away, right?”
“Yeah, it’s in Alabama. We won’t get back until late tonight.”
She waves me off. “No, I have way too much to do. Have fun, though.”
