Chapter 20
Slater
I watch Tessa walk away for only a moment before I put my hand on the door. “Man, don’t. Let her go.” I resist the urge to throw my teammate away from me. Anger is coursing through my system, and I need an outlet for it.
Slate, what’s going on?Zane’s voice inside my head makes me calm down for just a moment.
Tessa. That’s all I manage to get out.
I’m coming to you.
I push the door open and step outside. “Slate!” Ben calls, but I ignore him. I need to make sure she gets to her dorm safely, even if she doesn’t want me near her. I follow her all the way to her dorm and am just about to go inside when I feel Zane’s presence.
“Slate.” I debate ignoring him for a moment but know he’ll just follow me. Knowing Tessa is inside and safe, I turn back to face him. It’s no surprise to see Evie with him. She eyes me in concern, and I try to calm my anger.
“What happened?” Zane asks in a quiet voice.
I step over to the side, and they follow. “He hurt her.” My words are almost impossible to get out.
“Who?” Zane asks, the picture of calm.
“Connor.” His name is like gravel on my tongue.
“Oh,” Evie says softly.
Zane turns to her and frowns. “You know him?”
“He’s the guy from the cafeteria,” she says quietly.
Understanding dawns on Zane’s face, and his eyes narrow. “What did he do?”
“He pulled her away from me,” I start, anger rising again with every word. “And tried to keep her away from me. Then he hit her nose, and she was in pain.” I grind my teeth together.
Zane’s look portrays exactly how I feel. “What’d you do to him?”
“Pinned him against the wall and told him what would happen the next time he touched her or hurt her.”
Zane nods. “Good.”
“Where’s Tessa now?” Evie asks softly.
“Inside.”
She nods and puts the phone to her ear. I hear Tessa‘s voice come through the line. “Hey, Evie.”
“Tess, are you okay?” There’s a pause, and I find myself holding my breath, waiting for her response. “Tessa?” she asks, clearly worried.
“I’m okay.”
My fingers curl into a fist at the sound of tears in her voice. I start towards the door, but Zane puts a hand on my shoulder.Wait.There’s enough command in his voice for me to know he’s not messing around. I could ignore it, but I want to see what Evie’s going to do anyway. Maybe she can check on my girl for me, since she’s not really wanting to see me right now.
“Oh, Tessa,” I hear Evie say. “Where are you now?”
“My room,” I hear Tessa say.
“Stay there; I’m coming to you.”
“You don’t need to,” Tessa says.
