Free 01. Chasing Nikki by Lacey Weatherford

is true then, because the gossips say Chase
Walker is a kid without morals.  Now I’m a little curious about who you really
are.”
    He honestly
looked perplexed.
    “That’s the
problem with most people I’ve met.  They never take the time to truly get to
know a person before they judge them—myself included.” I pushed away from the
wall when I spied Nikki’s car entering the lot.  “Be careful with that
curiosity thing too.  That is what killed the cat.” I chuckled as I moved past
him.
    I hopped off
the curb, pausing for a second to allow a car to pass, before I walked to where
Nikki was parking. 
    She waved
through the window when she saw me approaching and grabbed her books in the
seat next to her as she got out.
    “Good
morning,” she said with a smile, and I reached around to shut the door behind
her, glimpsing over her form.  She looked amazing, as usual.
    “Good
morning to you, too.” I grabbed my cellphone out of my pocket and flashed my
screen at her.  “I just wanted to put your mind at ease right away.  The plant—
and Turk—are still alive today.  I’d be happy to show you the time stamp on the
image if you require proof.”
    She
giggled.  “Turk?”
    “That’s what
I named him, short for Turquoise.  He’s a pretty cool dude.  He yelled at me
for sleeping in, but made up for it by helping me  pick what to wear.  How do I
look?”  I held my hands out, and she glanced from the ball cap on my head, over
my clothes, down to the boots on my feet.
    She
swallowed thickly and flushed a bit.
    “That good,
huh?” I replied, pleased with my obvious effect on her.  “I guess I’ll have to
keep the advice of Turk then.”
    She shook
her head.  “You’re a dork.”
    “You don’t
say?” I asked, reaching to take her books, before I clasped her hand in my
own.  “I’m pretty sure that might be a step up from punk.  Better watch it,
Nikki.  I’m really starting to think you like me.”
    She rolled
her eyes and bumped her hip into mine.  “Looks like you need to start getting
that wild imagination of yours under control.  It could look bad for me to date
a guy who takes tips on how to dress from a fish.”
    “No way. 
Turk has swag, and that’s all that matters.  You watch, he’s going to be the
next big thing in fashion.”
    We came to a
sudden halt as Jeremy Winters squealed his jeep into the space right in front
of us.  He flashed an unconcerned look in our direction as he, Matt, and
another guy jumped out.
    “Dude, take
it easy in the parking lot, would you?” I said casually as he walked up to us. 
“I just got Nikki here to go out with me. I’d kind of like to keep her alive a
little longer.”
    I felt
Nikki’s grip tighten in mine, and I started to move past him, eager to get her
away.
    “Don’t waste
your time, bro.  She doesn’t put out, do you, Nikki?” Jeremy sneered, and Matt
laughed.
    A sudden
rage pulsed through my body.  Without stopping to think, I dropped Nikki’s
books and swung around, punching Jeremy in the mouth as hard as I could.
    He staggered
backward, grabbing his face before lowering his head and plowing into my
midsection, sending us both sprawling onto the pavement.  I quickly rolled
over, moving to straddle him, as I pummeled him again.
    He landed a
solid punch to my jaw, knocking me back a bit before I grabbed his wrists and
pinned them beside his head.
    “Anxious to
head back to jail, Walker?” he panted, little drops of blood spraying from the
cut on his lip as he spoke.
    “Only if I
get to take a dick like you with me.” I leaned in closer.  “I know what you did
to Nikki, and I’d be more than happy to see you pay for it.”
    His glance
darted to where Nikki stood with her eyes wide, tears showing.
    Strong arms
encircle my waist, dragging me away from Jeremy, and I struggled to go at him
as he jumped up and ran for me again.
    I saw Wes
and Chad, run up to grab and hold him.
    “He’s not
worth it, bro,”