Free Treasured (Embracing Series Book 1) by Delisa Lynn

going to like her? I hope she isn’t a slut or a weirdo. I can normally get along with anyone, but, with my luck, she'll be another Savvy.
    I walk through the parking lot and look up at the town home. It’s really nice. It looks huge from the outside. I text Liam, telling him I’m here and I’ll call him later.
    Nervously, I open the door and see someone I would have never expected to see.
    “Nikki!” I squeal. “You bitch! I thought you decided to stay in Ohio.”
    “Nope, I wanted to surprise you. I figured Eric would have told you by now.”
    “No, I had no idea! So you’re my roommate?” I ask the obvious.
    “Yes, I am, for the next year anyway. Your parents are the ones who suggested it. They paid for everything. Your dad said he knew my mom couldn’t afford it, so he took care of the first year,” she says, wiping away her tears.
    “This is great, Nik! My dad is amazing. Eep, I can’t believe we are here together,” I say, hugging her.
    “Okay, what’s been going on? What the hell happened with Ashton? You’ve never fully explained.”
    “He was cheating on me and I caught him in the act!” I say.
    She has this really pissed off look on her face. “That dirty fucker, I never trusted him after what he—well anyway, I was only nice to him because he’s Addison’s brother. Did Eric beat the crap out of him?”
    “No. I asked him not to get involved, considering they are good friends, but Liam did. Nik, what ever happened with you and Ashton at camp that year? I know you were upset, but you never told us.”
    She has another sad look on her face. “I can’t believe him! Since you didn’t give in to him, he went elsewhere? What did you say? Liam kicked his ass?” she asks, avoiding my question.
    “Yep,” I say, looking down at my hands. “Nikki, I slept with Liam.”
    “You did what? Who? The cousin of your ex? The one who kicked your ex’s ass?” she says.
    “Yes, that guy,” I say, placing my hand over my face. “He’s leaving in a few days. He joined the army.”
    “Did you sleep with him because he's going to serve our country?” she asks, looking serious.
    “No, silly, because I really like him. Actually, I love him. He's great; I don’t know why I didn’t realize it before now.”
    “You love him already? This must be serious because you don’t say that word unless you mean it. What does Addison say about all this?”
    “I haven’t told her. I think she knows, but I haven’t said anything. She's been so busy with Eric…”
    “I knew they would end up together. Damn Addison, I always told Eric he was going to marry me,” she teases. “Let me see that tattoo. I can’t believe you bitches went without me.”
    “Oh, it hurt! I’ll go with you if you want to get one, but I’m not getting another one—well, not anytime soon at least.” I laugh.
    “I’ll think about it. I’m a chicken. I would probably freak out.”
    “Okay, Nicole Paige, what happened with you and Ashton?” I ask.
    With tears in her eyes, she says, “It was him. The guy who screwed me and took my virginity, then just left me lying there as he walked away. The next day, I overheard a couple girls talking and one of them said she had slept with Ashton the night before. I never told anyone who I had sex with. I didn’t want you or Ads mad. I knew you liked him and I felt bad for doing what I did.”
    “Oh, Nik, that fucking dickwad. I can’t stand him either. You could’ve told me, doll. I would’ve never been mad at you. I was with Will at the time anyway.”
    “Let’s go get lunch. I’m starved!” she says, rubbing her stomach. “Pizza or Mexican?”
    “I think I could go for pizza,” I say.
    We walk a few blocks down, passing a row of small restaurants. We talk and laugh. I’m so glad she's here. I was worried about being here all alone; now I have one of my best friends with me.
    After looking at the different places, we choose Pizza Shack. When we walk into the restaurant, we