Chapter 28
Tessa
The lunch Slater and I planned on having doesn't really happen. Quint joins us a few minutes later, and there’s no chance for Slater and I to talk.
But I enjoy the time to just laugh and have a good time.
After lunch, everybody goes their separate ways, and I find myself walking next to Slater.
“Are you going to try to sleep for a few hours?”
“Yes. What about you?” I ask, looking up at him. I pause on the sidewalk as his words come back to me. “Wait, when you said you’re always watching me—which, by the way is super creepy—did you mean that you don’t sleep at night?”
He stares down at me. “Not when you’re on security.”
“What do you do the entire time?”
He shrugs. “Keep an eye on you; make sure you’re safe.”
“Well, that’s just,” I pause, searching for the right word.
“Romantic? Sexy?”
I don’t crack a smile. “Stupid.”
He winces. “Ouch.”
“Yeah, ouch. Slater, you should be sleeping.”
“Like you do?” he challenges.
“I do. In the afternoon. While you’re in soccer practice.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine, Slater. You need sleep.”
“I actually don’t need as much as you.” I cross my arms over my chest, and his lips tug up. “Before you get all offended, hear me out. We don’t need as much sleep as others do.” He lets his words sink in, making sure I get it.
“Why not?” I ask curiously.
He shrugs. “Just how we’re created.”
I bite my lip. “Okay. I’m going to need to know everything.”
“When?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you have to work tonight?”
“No, but I have a training I have to be at from eight to ten.”
“Tomorrow night?”
“I work then too.”
“Thursday night?”
I think about it a moment. “That might work. Let me double check my schedule. I might have to work if I have to switch with someone. I’m trying to switch, so I can come to your game on Saturday.”
He watches me with that unwavering attention. “That would be great.”
“Well, wish me luck. So far, I haven’t been able to trade with anybody. I was going to ask Hayes next, but I’m pretty sure you ruined that for me.”
He smiles smugly. “Good.”
“Slater,” I say dropping my hands to my hips. “I have to work with these people.”
“Come on.” He puts his hand on my lower back. “You’d better sleep while you can.”
After Slater drops me off at my room, I manage to sleep for several hours.
The noise-canceling headphones he gave me are seriously worth every penny he spent on them.
I didn’t hear my suitemates at all for the two hours I slept.
I didn’t allow myself to sleep any longer than that, so I can sleep tonight.
Slater doesn't get away from practice before I have to be at my meeting, so I don't get to see him. Now, I’m stuck in this security meeting that should have just been an email. I’m seriously regretting only getting a two-hour nap; I can barely keep my eyes open.
When Bill finally wraps up, I’m ready to be done for the night.
I’m the first one out the door. I start making my way back to my dorm when somebody falls into step next to me.
It takes me a moment longer than it should to recognize Slater; I blame it on the exhaustion. “Oh, hey.”
“Hey.”
“How’d practice go?”
“Fine.”
“You guys ready for Friday?”
“Getting there.”
He glances down at me. “How’d your meeting go?”
I groan. “It should have totally been an email.” I yawn. “I could barely stay awake.”
“Can you go right to bed tonight, or do you have to stay up and study?”
“I should study, but—” Another massive yawn cuts off my words.
“Do me a favor, Tess,” he says in a low voice. “Get some sleep. Don’t study tonight.”
“But,” I start.
“You’re not going to remember anything tonight when you’re this tired anyway.”
I scowl up at him. “I might.” We walk in silence after that.
I have so many questions, but I’m too tired to ask them.
When we get back to my dorm, he walks me up the steps and to my room.
I’m suddenly nervous, wondering how he’s going to handle this.
There are girls everywhere, and I’m not sure if Stephanie is in the room.
I don’t want to bother her by bringing a guy in.
...again. Besides, we haven’t exactly talked about it, and how we want to handle boys.
There hasn’t been a need for it up until now.
“Night, Tess. Get some sleep.” He leans forward, and I hold my breath. He gives me a feather-soft kiss on my forehead, and then he’s gone.
I slip inside my room. It takes me a few minutes to even notice Stephanie. “Oh, hey.”
She grins at me. “Let me guess. Slater walked you up.”
“How’d you know?” I ask.
“Because you were oblivious to the fact that I was even in the room.”
“I knew you were in the room.”
“Uh, huh. Sure, you did.”
I grin at her and head into the bathroom to get dressed and ready for bed.
A few minutes later, I’m dressed in my pajama pants and tank top, with Slater’s long-sleeved shirt over the top.
I climb into bed with every intention of studying, but I make it about fifteen minutes before I can’t keep my eyes open any longer.
I shut my books with a groan. “I can’t do anymore. I’m going to sleep.”
“Good,” Stephanie says from where she’s leaning over her books, studying. “You need sleep.”
I crawl under my covers and sigh. “I love bedtime.”
Stephanie laughs. “Me too. Get some sleep. I’ll turn off the lights.”
“Thanks. You too.” I’m out before she even turns off the lights. But it’s a rough night. I have a hard time sleeping, and when I do, the nightmares come. I get up early the next morning and spend the extra time studying. Slater meets me downstairs in the lobby.
“Morning.” He hands me an iced coffee, and my eyes light up.
“Caffeine and sugar—my love language. Thank you!” I take a long sip and close my eyes. When I open my eyes, Slater’s watching me carefully. “What?”
“Did you sleep well?”
I shrug. “Not really.” He continues to watch me, and I cave. “I had a rough night. I kept having nightmares about that...thing,” I finish quietly.
He tugs me into his arms. “I’ve got you.” His hand runs up and down my spine. “I’m so sorry, Tess. This has all been too much. I should have never—”
“This is not on you,” I tell him, leaning back. “You kept me safe.” The truth comes to me, even as I speak the words.
His jaw tightens. “I will always keep you safe.” I stare up at him, believing those words with every course of my being.
I don’t know how or why, but I know he’s telling the truth.
“Because you’re mine. You’re my mate, Tess.
You are the only one in the world for me, the other half of my soul.
I knew it the moment I scented you, the moment you crashed into Evie’s room, and I saw you for the first time.
Just like Evie is Zane’s mate, you are mine. ”
“How do you know?” I whisper.
“Because my wolf knew you as his, and our wolves don’t make a mistake.
They scent their female and know who she is the moment they catch her scent.
There is only one mate in the world for each wolf.
Some wolves go their entire lives without meeting their mate, but I’m one of the lucky ones.
” A full smile splits his face. “You, Shorty, are my mate.”
His words cause such warmth to flood me, I almost cry. But I manage to keep my emotions in check. “What if I didn’t want to be?” I can barely get the words out because they are the furthest thing from the truth, but I want to know if I have a choice.
He goes very still. “You have a choice, Tessa. Always. I would never force you to accept me and my wolf. The choice would be yours.”
I cock my head to the side. “Do you get a choice?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, your wolf chose for you. What if you didn’t want me?”
He stares down at me. “There is no chance in the universe that any part of me doesn’t want you, Tessa Parker. You are my mate, the other half of my soul. Even if you weren’t, I would want you anyway.”
“Why?” I can’t help but ask.
“For so many reasons. You love others wholeheartedly without wanting anything in return. You are literally the sun in my life. There’s a brightness to you that shines brighter than the sun.
Your smile can brighten anyone’s day. You’re funny, and you have an enthusiasm and zest for life that I want to be a part of. ”
“Are you sure we’re talking about the same person?” I ask.
He tugs me closer. “Yes. We’re talking about you, Tessa Parker.”
I finally smile, and he pulls me against his chest. I lay my head against his solid chest and relax when I hear the steady beating of his heart. “Do you think I could see it again? Your wolf?” I mouth the word, just to be safe.
“Yes. He would love to spend time around you.”
I nod. I’m excited but also terrified. “I want to know more about all of this.”
Slater nods. “I’ll tell you everything soon.” He tucks a hair behind my ear.
“And you need to sleep soon,” I add. He shrugs at my words, and I frown up at him. “We need to figure something out. You can’t just not sleep every night because you’re watching out for me.”
“We’ll figure it out.” I let it go for now, but we really are going to have to address it sooner or later. He walks me to my first-hour class. “Are you going to be able to stay awake in class?”
“Are you?” I ask instead.
He nods, his face serious. “Yeah. I’ll be fine.
” I’m reluctant to leave him, but I know I need to go into my classroom so he can get to his class on time.
“If you need to go to the house this afternoon so you can sleep, just let me know. I can give you the keys to my truck.” He pauses. “Do you just want the keys now?”
“No, because I may not even end up going; and then I’ll have to track you down later to give them to you again. Just keep them for now. I’ll text if I need them.”
“You sure?”
I smile. “Yes.”
He takes a step back and stops, frowning down at me. “Make sure you move the seat forward and maybe up.”
I scowl at him. “I think I can figure it out. I may be short, but I’m not incapable.”
“I know, Shorty.” He takes another step back. “I’ll see you later.”
I watch him go, his long stride eating up the distance. When I turn around, Ashley, who lives across the hall, gives me a knowing smile. I don’t say a word; I don’t really have anything to say. I slip inside the classroom just as my professor steps up to the podium to start class.