Chapter 23
Tessa
I groan. “Not you too.”
“What?”
“Quint was on a kick with this the other day saying I should be a sports journalist or reporter or some other nonsense degree.”
“I don’t think they’re nonsense,” Slater says quietly.
“No, I don’t mean that. I just mean,” I pause. What did I mean?
“There’s nothing wrong with being a history major, Tessa. If that’s what you want, go for it, no matter what anybody says or thinks.”
“Thanks, Slater.” I swipe my phone and head into the next building. This one is a quick in and out and then we move on. But as we walk, I can’t get his words out of my mind. “Do you think I’m making a mistake being a history major?”
He doesn’t answer right away. “I think you can do whatever you want. I just want you to do what you want, not what anybody else wants you to do. I want you to do what puts that fire in your eyes. And if that’s history, then go after it with Tessa tenacity.”
I laugh at that. “Tessa tenacity. I’m totally stealing that.”
“Go for it; it’s yours.”
We talk off and on for the next hour, but my mind stays back on the soccer talk. When we get back to the guard shack, I turn to Slater. “Well, I hate that you got no sleep, but I really enjoyed your company tonight. So, thank you.”
“I’m only glad I was here to save you from that terrifying mouse,” he says absolutely straight-faced.
I groan. “I am never going to live that down.”
“No, you’re not,” he says with a grin.
“Anyway, thank you. Now, you need to disappear before I get back to the shack, so I don’t get in trouble. I’m not really sure if I’d get in trouble, but let’s not find out.”
“You’re in the guard shack the rest of the night?” he asks.
“For the next several hours until I start the morning rounds.”
“When is that?” he asks.
I smile. “I’m not telling you. Good night, Slater Thorne.” I start walking towards the shack.
“I’ll just wait until then,” he calls out behind me.
“No, you won’t. Go sleep.”
Right before I step into the guard shack, I hear him one last time. “Night, Tessa.”
“Night, Slater.” And then I step inside the shack.
The next few hours pass slowly. I try to focus on my schoolwork, but I keep getting distracted with thoughts of our conversation.
I wonder if I’m just not seeing what everybody else is seeing.
I sigh and force myself to get back to work.
By the time I head out again, my mind feels messy and chaotic.
But when I see the sun starting to rise and hear the birds chirping, I feel my calm start to come back.
It's cold, and the birds haven’t figured out it’s winter here; but I’m thankful for them in this moment.
I’m nearing the end of my shift when I make my way past the soccer field and over to the clubhouse.
I watch as the guys warm up on the field.
I watch Slater in his soccer shirt and shorts and wonder how he doesn’t freeze to death.
He must feel my eyes on him because he turns suddenly and then starts jogging towards me.
When he stops in front of me, I can’t help but grin up at him.
He’s even taller now with his cleats on. “Did you get some good sleep?”
“Yeah.”
I get the distinct impression that he’s lying, but I don’t call him on it. I glance over and see that his teammates are starting to notice our interaction. “Better go before you get in trouble.”
“I’m fine. Do you work tonight?” I nod. “Okay.”
“Okay what?” I ask in confusion.
“I’ll meet you for your shift.”
I laugh. “No, you won’t.”
“Slate, stop flirting and let’s go,” one of his teammates yells.
I feel my face flame, and I duck. “Go,” I hiss at him.
“I’ll see you tonight if not sooner.” I nod and walk quickly away.
“Tessa.” I stop and turn back. He jogs towards me again.
“If your suitemates are too loud this afternoon, text me. I’ll run you over to the house so you can sleep.
” I blink. I feel my eyes start to fill, and I blink rapidly.
No, no, no. I always get emotional when I’m tired.
I must be more tired than I thought. Slater’s eyes narrow, and he steps closer. “Tess?”
“Thank you,” I blurt out, and then I turn and walk away as quickly as my legs will carry me.
I feel his eyes on me, but I don’t look back.
I curse myself for my stupid emotions. There’s no reason to cry over him offering to come pick me up so I can sleep.
It’s just that I haven’t had a good afternoon’s sleep in so long.
My suitemates are so loud in the afternoons, and it drives me crazy.
His offering to come get me is like the nicest thing anybody has done for me.
I feel tears again, and I groan. Then I stop and think of the date.
"Oh shoot,” I mutter. I know why I’m tearing up; I always get suuuuper emotional a day or so before my period.
I make a mental note to stay far, far away from Slater over the next day or so.
I’m already tired, so this one’s probably going to make me an emotional basket case.
He already thinks I’m weird. No need to add anything more.
I finish and clock out and make my way back to my dorm room.
I’m ready for a hot shower. If I hurry, I can get a shower and maybe even grab a bite to eat and a hot coffee from the dining area and still get to class on time.
Of course, it doesn’t work that easily. First my mom calls me because she knows I get off now.
I don’t have the heart to tell her I really don’t have the time to talk.
So, I’m late getting in the shower. And then my stupid hair won’t work.
Why is it my hair never works when I’m expecting my period?
It's like fate or something. I get almost halfway to class and realize I forgot my cell phone. I have to book it back, grab it, then practically race across campus to get to my class on time. That’s just the first of my bad luck.
In my second hour class, I fail a quiz I totally forgot about.
In my third hour, my pen breaks and leaks blue ink all over my white shirt.
By the time I head to lunch, I’m ready to find Evie and tell her all about my horrible day.
I’m almost there when I get a text from her.
Evie- Tess, I’m so sorry. I got pulled in early for my shift at the coffee shop. Sorry. Stop in if you have time. Love you.
I stare at my phone and refuse to let it bother me.
She has a life, I remind myself. But just like that, I don’t feel like going inside.
I don’t feel like navigating the masses only to sit by myself, so I turn around and head to my room instead.
Honestly, the extra sleep will really help.
I shouldn’t be this tired after only one night on security, but I think I’m still feeling the effects of the long weekend.
When I get to my room, I pull out a pack of peanut butter crackers.
I sigh when I realize they’re the last pack from the box my parents sent me.
But I enjoy them in peace and then grab my sleep mask.
I can’t make heads or tails of anything right now, and I know that means I need sleep.
Thankfully, it’s quiet. I fall asleep almost instantly.
A door slamming wakes me up, and I groan and roll over.
But then the music starts, and I want to scream.
I sit up in bed and wrap my arms around my legs.
Frustration and exhaustion both compete for supremacy, and I stare at my phone in my hand.
I try to be strong. I put in headphones, but it’s not enough.
Finally, I sit up in bed again and call Slater. He answers on the first ring.
“Tessa.” His deep voice brings instant tears to my eyes, and I blink quickly, beyond irritated with myself.
I don’t know why I can’t be a normal human being with normal emotions.
I’ve always been too emotional, and I hate it, especially at times like this.
“Tessa?” I hear the concern in his voice, and I quickly swallow.
“Is that offer still available?”
It’s quiet a moment, and I know he can hear the emotion in my words. “What’s wrong?” he demands.
“Nothing. I just...can you pick me up?” I curl into a ball even as I say the words.
“I’ll be there in ten.”
I breathe a sigh of relief and wipe my eyes.
“Thank you,” I whisper and then hang up before I can full on ugly cry.
I start packing everything I’m going to need for this afternoon and my shift tonight.
Before I’m ready, there’s a knock on my door.
“Come in,” I call out as I grab a hairbrush and stuff it into my bag.
“Slater.” I check my watch. “That was definitely not ten minutes.” He shrugs. He glances over my shoulder and scowls.
“Want me to tell them to turn it down?”
“Oh, good heavens, no. Thank you, though.”
His scowl deepens. “Come on. Let’s get you to where it’s quiet, so you can sleep.” He steps forward and takes my bag from my shoulder and throws it over his. “Anything else?”
I grab my phone and wallet. “Nope.”
He walks over to the door and holds it open for me. He puts a hand on my lower back as we walk down the hallway. Minutes later, we’re in his truck, leaving campus. He shakes his head, and I catch it. “What?”
He taps the steering wheel with his thumb while we wait at a light. “I forgot how much I hate dorm life.”
“You lived in the dorms?”
He glances over at me. “Is that so hard to believe?”
“Yeah, pretty much.”
“Why?” he asks.
“I don’t know because you’re like...a god or something on campus. I can’t picture you living in the dorms.”
“I am not a god,” he says in a low voice.
“Have you seen the way people treat you?” I ask. “People like literally stop what they’re doing when you walk into a room.”
“That’s not true,” he argues.
I shake my head. “It totally is.”
We’re both quiet after that. I’m too tired to think of something to say to keep the conversation going.
The trip goes quickly, and soon we’re walking inside.
The house is blissfully quiet as I follow him.
When we get to his room, he opens the door and ushers me in.
He drops my bag on the floor, but I don’t move.
I’m staring at his bed. “Slater, why is there a big pink blanket on your bed and a pink throw pillow?”
“If you think really hard, I bet you can figure it out. Now, come on.” He puts his hands on my shoulders and directs me towards the bed. I stop.
“Wait. There’s fuzzy socks.” I stare down at the soft pink socks and blink back tears. “Slater?”
He rubs a thumb over my right shoulder. “It’s for you. All of it’s for you.”
“But,” I choke on the word, and the tears come. There’s no stopping them now.
“Tess, what’s wrong?” He turns me to face him. “Please tell me what’s wrong.”
I close my eyes and try to get control of my emotions. “I’m sorry, Slater. I’m just really tired.”
His face softens, and the worry eases. “Okay. Come on.” He guides me backwards until the back of my knees hit the bed. I kick off my shoes and lay back. I reach for the soft blanket, but he grabs it for me and covers me with it. “Is this okay?” I ask, my eyes barely staying open.
“Sleep, Tess.”