Finding Chase (Chasing Nikki) (23 page)

“
We
are the crowd favorite to win. Come on, let’s finish this and take your car home. I’m tired.”

“Deal.”

We stepped onto the mat and shook the hands of our opponents, named Ryan and Megan.

“So, I’m guessing this is your girlfriend,” Ryan said as he turned to Brittney.

“Nah, she’s my sister,” I replied, deadpan.

Ryan’s head snapped in my direction, his eyes wide.

“Gotcha,” I said, snapping my fingers, hoping maybe I’d thrown him off his mental game a bit.

He laughed. “You did there for a second. I guess it was kind of a dumb question. Megan is my girlfriend as well, and we are both big fans of yours. It’s a pleasure to umm . . . twist with you tonight.”

“Thanks, man—I think.” I shook my head, chuckling at how perverse that sounded.

The whistle blew, and the game began.

“Right hand, green.” Great, we were going to have to bend over already.

“Left foot, blue.” Stretched clear across the mat.

“Left hand, yellow.” Getting increasingly difficult as we scrambled for placement.

“Right foot, red.”

Megan went down, and I felt a moment of elation when the judge called her out. Two of us against one—this game was ours. My confidence was shattered in the next moment as I heard Britt yelp behind me.

“No!” she exclaimed.

“Out!” the judge called.

Shoot! It was down to us guys. I had to win this car for Brittney. It would kill her if we got this close only to lose now.

“Right hand, red,” the next position was called, and Ryan and I continued to battle for several turns until we were both in a precariously balanced position. My limbs were shaking with effort as I tried to hold my spot. I could also feel his trembling where we had contact.

His hand slipped a little, causing more of his weight to fall onto me since he was angled across my back. My grip slid and I fell, unable to hold it any longer, and Ryan collapsed on top of me. A collective gasp rang through the crowd. I’d lost.

“Good game, man,” Ryan said, holding out his hand and helping me to my feet. “I’m sorry about that. My slipping caused you to fall, I think.”

“No worries. I hit the ground first. Rules are rules.”

“We have a winner folks,” Irene’s voice came through the loud speaker.

“I’m so sorry,” I said as I approached Brittney. “I really tried.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” she said, wrapping her arms around me and kissing my now paint covered lips.

“Can I have Ryan and Megan, and Chase and Brittney come here please?” Irene asked.

I grabbed Brittney’s hand, and the four of us walked over together.

“We’d like to thank everyone for participating tonight. It’s been a fun event! What did you think of the last match?”

There was a burst of cheers and applause from the crowd.

“What many of you failed to notice, was Ryan and Megan didn’t participate in all the matches. That’s because they’re ringers from the car dealership we slipped in to make things a bit more fun. So, that means, Chase and Brittney, you’re the winners of the new car!”

“What?” Brittney exclaimed before throwing her arms around me and jumping up and down. “Oh my gosh! We did it, we did it, we did it!”

“I’d say that deserves another kiss. Don’t you think so?”

The crowd roared its approval, and even if they hadn’t, nothing was gonna stop me from kissing my girl.

Chapter Twenty-Four

“I have half a mind to make you personally scrub off every bit of paint left on me when we get home. I’ve been in the dang shower for almost forty-five minutes trying to remove all this stuff. There’s still some in my hair. Thank goodness they used water based paint.”

Brittney laughed and reached up to ruffle her fingers along the top of my head. “I think the paint flecks look good. It’s like rainbow colored dandruff.”

“You aren’t helping things. I don’t want dandruff of any color, and your hair looks as bad as mine does.”

She giggled and wrapped her arms around my neck, popping up on her tiptoes to kiss me lightly. “Relax. Someone told me you can rub olive oil through your hair, and it will strip the paint off.”

“Well, then I say we stop by a store on the way home and pick some up.”

“I’ll be driving my new car home, remember?” She dangled the keys happily in front of me.

“That’s right. Are you going to follow me to the store?”

“Would you mind getting it? Tana is dying to see the car. I told her I’d hurry.”

“It’d probably be for the best anyway. You shouldn’t be driving it all over the place until you get your insurance set up. I can help you do that tomorrow.”

“Thank you again, Chase. You know, technically this car belongs to you as much as it does to me. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

I pulled her against me. “Nah, I want you to have it. I have my truck, and besides, you deserve it.” I brushed my thumb over some yellow paint specks on her face, which gave her the appearance of having light freckles. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” She rose and pressed her lips to mine. I didn’t think I’d ever get enough kisses from her. Every second I spent with her tied her further to my heart. I slid a hand into her hair, holding her mouth to mine as our tongues met, leaning together as we feathered light strokes over one another.

We broke apart and I grinned. “You better get going. I’ve been twisted up with you on this grass all night. I have no problem doing it again.”

She smiled. “I thought you were cold.”

“You took care of that.”

“Hmm.” She bit her lip and cast a suggestive look over me.

“Leave,” I ordered, pointing to her new vehicle.

She sighed and started walking away. “Okay, but maybe we can pick up where we left off when you get home?”

“Most definitely.”

“See you in a few.”

“Hey. I’ll be a little while, okay? I’ve got to gas up my truck before I go to the store and run by Coach’s office. He asked me to come sign some papers tonight. He said he’d be in until eleven o’clock.”

“Don’t keep me waiting too long.”

“I’ll be there as fast as I can.” I watched as she started her car, and when she drove past, she gave an excited wave, pure joy written on her face.

“Hi, Coach. Sorry I’m late getting here. I got sidetracked tonight.”

He glanced at me. “Painting something?”

I chuckled. “Not exactly. I’ve been helping my girlfriend win a car.”

“Ah! The sorority event they held tonight. I remember hearing something about it. So you won?”

“We did, thank goodness. It’ll make wearing this paint around for the next week worth it.”

He laughed. “I’m sure it’ll help. Have a seat.”

I did as he asked, wondering what was going on.

“As you know, both Matt and Jared confessed to being involved with setting you up. There was a hearing between the school board and their lawyer, and there’s been a plea bargain of sorts. The school agreed to expel them in lieu of pressing formal charges of tampering and harassment. They still have to go through a regular hearing to see what their legal punishment will be, but as far as the school is concerned, this ends our involvement in the case. In regards to you, the school would like you to sign a document stating you know nothing of, nor have you participated in the use or sale of illegal substance while a part of this institution. If you’ll agree, then the school’s investigative proceedings will be closed, and we can wash our hands and move on.”

“Where do I sign?” I answered immediately. I was anxious to get this over with.

Coach relaxed visibly. “I have the statement here.” He slid a manila folder across his desk, handing me a pen also.

I leaned forward and read through the document before I signed and slid it toward him. He checked it while I glanced around the room at the numerous triangular football banners which hung about the windows of the room. There were several trophies from various season and events displayed in a case behind his desk. I wondered if we’d ever get anything like that this year.

“This is good,” he replied, sliding the folder into his desk. “I appreciate your willingness to cooperate. I didn’t want you to feel like you were getting shortchanged.”

“I don’t feel that way at all. I’m happy to be done with it.”

“Hopefully the two of them have learned their lesson and won’t bother you anymore.”

“I agree. That would be nice.”

“So are you feeling pretty comfortable with everyone else on the team? As odd as this may sound to a guy your age—we don’t tolerate bullying here. I want to make sure you aren’t feeling threatened in any way.

“No one’s bothering me.”

“You sure? I noticed Brubaker seems to rub you pretty hard.”

“Nothing but healthy rivalry, Coach. He’s just upset I got picked as the starter instead of him. Don’t talk to him about it. The competition helps keep me on my toes.”

“You deserve the spot, Chase. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. We have lots of good players on the team, but regardless of class and age, the best man will always get first pick for the job. You showed great strength and determination during the practice season. Frankly, I’ve been thrilled to see you get this shot. I think you could really go places.”

“Thanks. I enjoy playing. I promise to keep working hard, and I’m sorry for the drama that’s revolved around me.”

“Not your fault. I’m sorry I had to sideline you until we discovered the results for sure.”

“I understand. No hard feelings.”

“Good. Now get outta here, so I can go home. I’ll see you at practice tomorrow.”

“Will do. Have a good night.”

I left the locker room feeling lighter than I had in a long time. I got in my truck and headed to the store for the oil Brittney suggested, grabbing a few other items I needed before checking out.

Not wanting Brittney to worry about me, I decided to text her and explain why I was running so late. However, when I reached for my phone, I discovered it wasn’t in my pocket.

“Great,” I muttered, patting my other pockets as I walked toward the parking lot. I must’ve left it in the truck. I popped the lock and looked in the cup holder, but it wasn’t there either, so I checked between and under the seats. “Where the hell did it go?”

I mentally retraced my steps—trying to remember the last time I’d used it. It had been right before the Twister game when Coach had called, asking me to come by. I’d set it inside one of my shoes when I’d taken them off. I didn’t remember picking it up again. I must’ve fallen out there.

Grumbling, I headed back toward the school. The place was completely deserted now, no evidence we’d been here earlier, other than some smashed grass. I parked and walked to where we’d sat. Here and there I noticed splotches of paint which hadn’t been washed away, and I grinned to myself. What a crazy night.

Pausing at the stone bench, I bent to check underneath. Sure enough, there was my phone. I sighed in relief, grateful to have found it, and picked it up. The alert light was blinking, and I clicked it to see what I’d missed.

There were several calls, actually, from Brett. I clicked open the dialer to call when my phone started buzzing again. It was him.

“Hey, man,” I answered.

“Where have you been? Why haven’t you answered your phone?” He sounded both relieved and agitated.

“Sorry, bro. I lost it and had to retrace my steps to find it. I swear I barely picked it up when you called. What’s up?”

Brett sighed heavily. “I have something to tell you, but I don’t want you to freak out, okay?”

“That’s not going to help keep me calm.” I felt my nerves ratchet up a notch. “What’s wrong?”

“Brittney was in a car accident on her way home.”

The world dipped and swooned in front of me as memories from the night of Nikki’s accident crashed over me like tidal waves. I sat down on the bench with a thud. “How bad?” I felt sick—ready to vomit. Beads of sweat broke out on my forehead, and I started trembling.

“I’m not sure yet. The officer on the phone said he couldn’t give me any information other than she was injured and had been taken by ambulance to the hospital. He said the accident happened about an hour ago.”

Right after she’d left me. “Where’d they take her?”

“Tempe St. Luke’s.”

“I’ll be there in five minutes. Don’t you leave her alone, Brett. Do you hear me? Don’t you leave her alone!”

“I’m already here—on my way into the emergency room right now.”

“Tell her I’m coming.” I ended the call, standing to head blindly toward my truck before switching directions and running toward one of the stationary garbage bins near the sidewalk.

I puked.

Chapter Twenty-Five

I checked in with the lady at the emergency room desk. “I’m here to see my girlfriend who was brought in by ambulance.” I couldn’t make my voice stop shaking. “She was in a car accident.”