Page 18 of Surviving Slater

"Slater is so easy-going, it's hard to reconcile him with the asshole who keeps breaking your heart."

I gave a hollow laugh before I swallowed my emotion. That was his outward projection—to everyone he was easy-going, but I knew different. I had glimpsed the true side of Slater that few saw.

"I won't let him," I said with a certainty like I could control what was going to happen tonight.

I wasn't going to allow him close again and I wouldn't allow him to affect me like he had before. My walls were up now, and there was no getting through.

Sin arrived a little later. He and Taylor disappeared into her bedroom. I wondered if she was grilling him on what Slater wanted to talk to me about.

I made a point of not dressing up, choosing some old jeans and a plain top. There was no reason to get all dressed up. It wasn't like it was a date. Instead of lipstick I put a little lip gloss on.

"I'll drop you off, if you want," Matthew offered when I came out of my room ready to leave, but I shook my head.

"Don't worry about it. I'll get a taxi."

He looked at me disapprovingly, but I wanted to do this on my own. They'd all had a glimpse of the hurt I'd experienced with Slater and were concerned I was in for a repeat.

"Seeing you like this brings out the big brother in me," he said, and I gave him a lopsided smile.

I hugged him.

"And from someone who doesn't have any siblings, it's nice to have someone who cares like you do."

"You will call me if you need me?" His face was serious. I'd never had a father around to be protective over me so this was something new. And I liked it. It made me miss what I had grown up without.

"Yes."

He called a taxi for me. It arrived ten minutes later, and Matthew insisted on walking me downstairs to the waiting car.

"You don't have to worry," I assured him as I got into the back.

"I'll try not to."

He closed the door and watched the taxi pull away. I tried to keep my stomach from tying myself up into knots on the way to Slater's. I gripped my hands together as I got closer to the house.

I hated the way my stomach tightened anxiously when the taxi pulled up outside the familiar house. I took a deep breath and released it before I paid the driver.

My feet felt like lead as I stood out front, trying to build up the courage to face Slater.

You can do this,I told myself. I wasn't some weak girl who was going to allow this to be a big thing. He wanted to talk, I would listen, and then I had already made my mind up. I would leave.

I climbed the steps to the front door. I took another deep breath to ease my nervousness as I clasped my hands together to stop them from shaking, refusing to allow him to see how anxious I was.

Before I could change my mind, I knocked on the door and stepped back. The house was quiet as I waited. Every second felt like forever.

Then the door opened. The sight of familiar silver-blue eyes was enough to stutter my heart to a stop.

No, I can't do this. I'm not strong enough.But I couldn't run now.

"You came," he said, his eyes holding mine.

I nodded, still trying to ease my racing heart. He was devastatingly handsome.

He stepped aside and indicated for me to enter. It was like the lion inviting his prey in. Determined, I pushed my shoulders back slightly as I forced myself to take the few steps inside despite my instinct telling me to get out.

The sound of the door shutting behind me tightened the knot of nervousness in my stomach. I hated feeling this way, so when I turned to face him I refused to allow him to see how his presence affected me.

"What did you want to talk about?" I asked him coolly.