Page 46 of Surviving Slater

It was being rented out by Connor but I was pretty sure he would let me get a roommate. I made a mental note to call him later to find out. My mind was already two steps ahead and I was already trying to think of anyone I knew who I wouldn't mind sharing the place with.

Levi came to mind. He was perfect and we got along so well. With my mind made up, I began to help Matthew pack some of his stuff. Granted he didn't have much and only filled a couple of boxes.

Afterward we were having a beer while sitting on the couch with our feet propped up on the coffee table.

"Remember I'm only going to be a phone call away," he reminded me before he took another swig of the bottle.

He was a bodyguard who put his life on the line to protect his clients. I took a deep sip of my beer and gulped it down to stop my thoughts from running wild with every bad scenario that could happen to him.

"I just want you to be safe," I told him. Our easy-going tone from before was gone. His eyes held mine.

"I'm good at what I do," he reminded me, which did nothing to ease my fears.

"Promise me you'll be careful," I demanded, sitting up and setting my bottle down on the table.

Despite my unusual demand, I could see the understanding in his eyes.

"I promise." They were only two words but they lifted the heaviness of the fear I felt for him.

I reached out and touched his hand, needing the closeness. He set his beer down.

"You think that's bad, you should hear my sisters' list of demands," he revealed, easing the atmosphere. "They even expect regular phone calls."

He made me smile. "I may need that too," I admitted.

He chuckled. "Don't worry, I will."

It warmed my heart that he cared.

"I need to make sure there is someone to kick Slater's ass when he messes up." He was right, but I didn't want to think about it.

"I'm going to need to find someone to buy me ice cream," I said, picking up my beer after he released my hand.

"My only suggestion is keep the chocolate ice cream for the serious heartbreak."

I knew he was joking but it hurt to think that even my friends could already see the demise of whatever was going on with Slater. Common sense told me to stop it before it could get worse but it was like a drug addict trying to stave off their next hit. Impossible.

As if on cue, my phone buzzed with a message. Matthew took another swig of his beer as I got my phone from the table and checked it.

My insides stirred with excitement.

You busy?It was from Slater.

I felt like a giddy girl who was experiencing her first crush on a boy.

For a few moments, under the watchful eyes of Matthew, I threw caution to the wind. Maybe it was the feeling of loneliness at the leaving of some of the most important people in my life that made me want to reach out and anchor myself to him.

I was playing with fire.

"Lover boy?" Matthew asked before taking a swig of beer.

I nodded as I contemplated what to say back. My fingers hovered over the keys, trying to decide on the right thing to text him.

"I'm tired," Matthew said abruptly, pulling my attention from my phone.

"I'm going to have an early night," he said, standing up. He ducked into the kitchen with his beer bottle.

"Night, Matt," I said as he walked to his room. He opened the door and looked back.