Page 76 of Quarterback Sneak

Chapter 33

Evie

I follow Zane outside to his truck. While he throws my stuff in my truck, I stare at my dorm, wondering if I’m making a huge mistake. This was my chance to get out and make something of my life. I love my mom, but I don’t want her mistakes to be mine. And yet, I feel like I’m making mistake after mistake.Maybe I should just stay here.I turn around suddenly and nearly run into a guy I’ve never seen before. He’s tall with tattoos crawling all over his tanned skin. His head is nearly shaved, just a little black shows. I resist the urge to take a step back when I see his scowl. When he opens the back door to Zane’s truck, I’m confused. “Uh, are you at the wrong truck?”

He looks down at me. “Nope.”

With that, he climbs into the backseat, and I stare after him in confusion. “Don’t be a jerk,” Zane calls out as he comes around to my side. “Evie, this is Slate, one of my roommates.”

My eyebrows raise. “How many of you are there?”

Zane’s lips pull up on the sides. “There are four of us. Slate plays soccer, so he hasn’t been around since before classes started. They’ve got a short season with multiple games a week. We don’t usually see him until soccer’s over. Thankfully,” he says under his breath to me.

I look back towards Slate, and dark eyes meet mine. I resist the urge to shiver and turn towards Zane. “Any other surprise roommates I should know about?”

“Nope.” He opens my door for me and closes it once I’m inside.

It’s quiet until Zane comes around to climb in, and I'm thankful because Slate makes me nervous. He’s intense like Reid but like on a whole other level. “Ready?” Zane asks, looking over at me. I nod and settle against the seat, hoping I’m not making a huge mistake.

My phone buzzes, and I glance down to see a text from Tessa. I cringe. I tried to track her down before I left, but she wasn’t in her room and didn’t answer when I texted her.

Tessa-sorry, I just now saw this. I was studying, trying to survive this upcoming test I have.

Me-no worries

I pause a moment, wondering just what to say. She texts me back before I get a chance to respond.

Tessa-Want to meet up after dinner?

Me-I want to, but I can’t tonight

Tessa-are you in your room now? I can try to meet up with you real quick now

Me-no, that’s what I was texting you about

I pause after sending her that text. I don’t really know what to say. I debate a moment and then decide to just be honest. I don’t want to ruin our friendship, and dishonesty is the fastest way to do just that.

Me-I'm going to Zane’s house off campus

I hurry to clarify.

Me-just for tonight

I frown because that sounds worse.

Tessa-wowzers, girl! What did I miss?

Her words are like a gut punch. I feel my hands get clammy, and I wipe them on my leggings.

Me-I'll catch you up, but stuff with Jace…I don’t even know how to finish that text, so I send it as is.

Tessa-did he hurt you?

I pause a moment and wonder how to answer that. My phone rings, startling me. I look down and see it’s Tessa calling. I don’t really want to answer it, but that will just make things worse. I glance over at Zane. “Tessa’s calling.”

“Go ahead and answer it; it won’t bother us.”

I have a feeling Slate would disagree, but I don’t look back to check. I answer on the third ring. “What did he do to you?”