Page 36 of Surviving Slater

"You can make your own decisions. I just don't want you to get hurt again."

She leaned forward and gave me a hug. I hugged her back. We'd become close friends so fast it was hard to believe I'd only known her for a few months.

"I have a favor to ask you?" she said when our hug ended.

"Sure."

"I need you to help me move."

It was a shock. My mouth dropped open slightly as my mind raced ahead to make sense of what she was saying.

"You're moving?"

She nodded as her smile widened.

"Where?"

"Sin."

"That's great news." I hugged her again. They'd come a long way and it was nice to see them continue their journey together, growing closer than I had ever thought possible. Sin living with a girl was mind-blowing.

"Has he bought the new place already?" I asked. I knew he'd been selling the house he shared with Slater but I hadn't heard anything more about it.

She nodded. "He has sold the house and he's moving into the new place tomorrow."

That had been quick.

"What about this apartment?" I didn't mind moving back into the dorm.

"Connor insists you continue to stay here."

I wasn't sure how I felt about that.

"Don't even think about it," she warned, seeing my hesitant response. "You know what he's like. If you refuse, he'll be offended."

There were times I wished I had a brother like Connor. He cared about Taylor so much and did everything he could to help her. Granted he had been a bit over-protective but his heart was in the right place.

"I'll talk to him about it," I insisted. I didn't want him to feel obligated to continue renting the apartment just for me.

She pressed her lips together for a moment. "Okay."

"I'm so excited for you," I said, grasping her hands in mine.

"I have other news." Her smiled dropped a little. "Eric pled guilty."

I felt my eyes sting as an emotion of relief for my friend swept over me. After everything he had put her through, the looming trial had been stressing her out.

"That's great." I hugged her again as I felt a tear slide down my face. Her ordeal had been brutal and having to relive it had given her sleepless nights.

I continued to hug her. When she pulled away, her eyes were glistening like mine.

"How?" I asked, wiping the moisture from my cheeks as she did the same.

"I think Sin had a hand in it."

I liked him even more, even when I didn't think it was possible.

"What about Matt?" Would he still be required now that there was no chance Eric would get out?