Page 57 of Surviving Slater

I nodded. I didn't want to talk about or elaborate on how I was dealing with my issues.

"Have you thought of who could move in here when I leave?"

"Yes," I said. "Thanks for the reminder."

He watched as I ate the spoonful of ice cream before packing the container back in the freezer. I got my phone out and called Connor.

It rang five times before he answered.

"Jordan," he said, and I felt a little nervous.

"Hi, Connor."

"What can I do for you? Everything okay?" he asked, a slight edge of worry to his voice.

"Yes. Everything is fine," I assured him, finding myself pacing as I talked to him. "I have something to ask?"

"Sure." He sounded busy so I didn't want to waste time.

"Is it okay if I get a roommate?" I asked, feeling like a kid asking their parent for something.

"Why would you want a roommate?" he asked, taking me by surprise.

"I don't want to be on my own. I need company," I tried to explain, feeling needy all of a sudden and it was so unlike me. I knew why, but I couldn't exactly explain that to him.

"As long as I can run a background check on them, it's fine."

I frowned. "I really don't think that's necessary."

"It's my only requirement," he insisted, drawing the line.

"Not everyone is an undercover nutcase hell-bent on revenge."

He surprised me by chuckling.

"You're right but I'm not taking any chances." I knew he wouldn't back down.

It was either live alone or let Connor do his usual security thing by digging into Levi's past. It wasn't like he was going to find anything incriminating.

"Okay," I relented, feeling a little guilty that I was allowing him to check my friend out.

"What's the roommate's name?" he asked.

"I haven't asked him yet but his name is Levi Anderson."

I heard him scribble the name down. "I should have the report by tomorrow."

"Okay." It wasn't like I was expecting him to find anything. I knew Levi well.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

"Yes. Why?" I asked, feeling self-conscious. Was it something I said?

"You just don't sound like your usual self," he said. Trust Connor to pick up on my internal struggle just by the sound of my voice.

"I've had a rough day. That's all." My eyes found Matthew's.

"You sure?" he asked. What was it with the guys in my life? Did they all have some sort of intuition that told them how messed up I was?