I focus on my best friend. “I’m going to miss you.” She’s moving in with the guys off campus.
Evie’s face falls. “I know. I’ll miss you too, but it’s just at night. We can still eat lunch together every day.”
“And attend games together,” I add.
Evie nods. “Definitely.”
“And some time, I want an invite.” I’ve told her that before, and she said she would invite me over to the house sometime. I’m going to hold her to that.
“Of course.”
Zane wraps an arm around Evie and takes a few steps closer to Slater. “Let’s head out,” Zane says. Reid and Quint take a few steps towards the door, but Slater doesn’t move. He's still standing a few feet from me. “Slate, let’s go,” Zane calls out, but Slater just ignores him.
I cross my arms over my chest and return his stare. “Do you have a problem with me?”
“Hey, Tessa,” I feel somebody brush my arm and turn to see Connor is back. He looks down at me in concern. “You good?”
I wave off his concern. “Yeah, I’m good. I thought you were leaving.”
“I was, but I got stuck talking to somebody.” He glances over at Slater and then back at me. “You sure you’re good?”
“She said she’s good.” The low voice startles me, and I jerk my attention to Slater. I pause at the look on his face. I wonder what happened in the last few minutes to make his look so mad...well, more mad than usual. He always kind of looks angry.
Connor looks back at me for confirmation. “Yeah, I’m good. Thanks.”
“Tomorrow morning then,” Connor reminds me.
I smile at him. “Tomorrow morning.” There’s a low sound that makes the hair at the back of my neck stand up, and I pause and then look at Slater. Had that weird sound come from him? Connor doesn’t seem to notice. He steps close, squeezes my elbow gently, and then kisses my cheek again. Suddenly, he’s shoved away from me. I stumble back in shock. I can’t even process what I’m seeing. Slater has Connor by the front of his shirt.
Quint, Reid, and Zane are there a second later, pulling Slate back. Connor stares at Slater as they pull him back. “What’s your problem, Man?”
“Don’t touch her,” Slater says in a low, angry voice.
I whip my head towards him, trying to figure out what in the world is going on. “I’ll touch her if I want to.” I frown at Connor’s words that just seem to make the situation worse.
Zane doesn’t seem to be in the mood. “We’ve got him; just go,” he snaps at Connor.
Connor crosses his arms. “I’m not leaving just because you idiots said I should.”
“They’re not idiots,” Evie jumps in.
I shake my head at all the insanity and put my hand on Connor’s arm. I hear a sound from Slater, but I ignore it.“Thanks, Connor.” His brown eyes meet mine, and I smile at him. “I’m fine; you’d better go. It will just make everything easier.”
His eyes soften. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
He nods “Okay. You’ve got my number. If you need me, call me.”
There’s some kind of commotion behind me, but I focus on Connor. “Thanks.”
He smiles down at me. “See you, Tess.”
“See you.”
When I turn back, Zane and Slate are practically fighting. I turn to Evie in exasperation. “What is their deal?”
Her worried face meets mine. “It’s just not a good day for Slate.”
