I shrug. “Well, it was for today.” I take a few more bites and then look over at him, guilt churning in my stomach. “Slater, I—” He turns to look at me, and I bite my lip. “I don’ t want you to feel like you have to take care of me. I can take care of myself.”
“I know.” He takes another bite of his sandwich.
I’m too hungry to stop eating, so I continue as well. When I finish, I put my hand on my stomach. “That was like seriously the best sandwich I’ve ever had.”
“Maybe it was the company.”
His words draw a laugh from me. “Probably,” I admit, and he flashes me a smile. I ball up my trash, and snag his as well so I can throw it all away on my way in. I’m about to get out of the truck, but I put my hand on his arm. I notice he goes perfectly still. “Thanks, Slater, for everything. Seriously.”
Those dark eyes meet mine. “You’re welcome, Tessa.”
I glance at my stuff and then back at him. “Just leave it all in the truck,” he says.
“Okay. Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow?” He doesn’t answer and instead climbs out of the truck. I open my door and hop down. “Have a good night.” I wait for him to get back in his truck, but he doesn’t. “Wait.” It finally dawns on me. “You’re not coming with.”
“Aren’t I?” he asks in an amused voice.
“No, Slater. You need to sleep.”
“I’m fine.”
“No.” Frustration builds in my chest, and I stop right in front of him. “Slater, please.” He steps close and lifts a hand, tucking a stray hair behind my ear, causing me to shiver and completely lose my train of thought. I force myself to stay focused. “You justcame from practice; you have another practice in the morning. You need sleep.”
“No, Tess,” he says in a quiet voice. “What Ineedis to know you’re safe.”
“Iamsafe. Please, Slater. I want you to get sleep; I feel terrible for keeping you out late last night as it is.”
He steps closer, so that our chests are almost touching. “When are you going to get it, Tessa?”
“Get what?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper as I stare up at him.
“Tessa!” Somebody calls out, breaking whatever this thing between us is. I take a breath and step back.
“I’ve got to go; I’ll see you tomorrow.” I don’t leave him a chance to respond and jog over to the booth. “Hey, Cliff.” He talks the entire time, but I barely notice. My mind is stuck back on that moment with Slater. I can’t stop thinking about what it was he was going to say. My mind keeps playing it over and over. Cliff keeps talking, going so far as to follow me outside. He finally leaves me alone, and I get started on my shift.
“Does he ever stop talking?”
I nearly jump out of my skin when Slater appears next to me. I gasp and put a hand on my chest. “Slater! You scared me to death. Where did you come from?”
“He follows you around like a puppy.”
“Who? Cliff?” He nods. “He’s just nice.”
Slater scowls. “No, he’s not, Tess. He’s into you.”
I laugh. “No, he’s not.”
Slater shakes his head. “Apparently, I need to make my presence more visible when I drop you off.”
His words cause a strange tingle to cascade down my spine. Before I can say anything, my radio comes to life. “Tessa?”
I swallow when I hear Cliff’s voice. I don’t look at Slater. “Yes.”
“Can you check the South border behind the dorms?”
I nod. “Sure.” I don’t bother to say anything else, not wanting to make Slater more irritated than he already is. I redirect my steps that way.
“Isn’t that near the woods?” he asks, irritation in his voice.
