Finding Chase (Chasing Nikki) Read Online Free PDF

be like the kiss of death or something. It’s been my experience, whenever girls use nice , it’s not a good thing.”
    She locked eyes with me and slapped her hands to her cheeks. “Oh my gosh, Chase! You have the most amazing tan I’ve ever seen!” she exclaimed, before dropping them into her lap again. “There. Is that better?” she added in a totally normal voice.
    I laughed loud. “Much better. Thank you.”
    She shook her head. “You’re such a nerd.”
    “But you love me!” I said, reaching to grab her knee playfully.
    “I do.” She smiled, covering my hand with hers and squeezing. “I like hearing you laugh. I’ve missed it.”
    Her comment gave me pause, and I couldn’t recall feeling this content for several months. I was glad she’d ridden with me today.
    I grasped her hand tighter before releasing it and retuning mine to the wheel. “Thanks for talking to me, Britt. It’s really helped. I know you’ll be spending a lot of time with the blind and dumb . . .” I laughed when she gave me a puzzled look, “I mean Matt . . . when we get to Tempe, but don’t be a stranger, okay? I like having you around. I wish everyone was super chill like you.”
    She smiled. “I’m cool like that, and since we’re living right next door to each other, I’m sure we’ll still see each other plenty. I’ll probably be over often to drag Tana off Brett. She may need constant reminding which house is hers.”
    “Or vice versa,” I added with a chuckle.
    “Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad they’re into each other, but there have been a few times I could’ve used some bleach for my eyes.”
    “So you don’t care for public displays of affection?” I asked, knowing exactly what she was referring to, since I’d witnessed them together many times.
    She shrugged. “Normally it doesn’t bother me, but he’s my brother . . . ick.”
    “Why don’t you return the favor then? Make out with Matt in front of them.”
    “That’s okay . . . really.” She gave a half laugh as she pondered it over. “It would serve them right, but Matt definitely isn’t the P.D.A. type.”
    “Totally reaffirms my opinion that he’s a loser,” I replied. “Why make your girl wait for some affection? Why make yourself wait? Stupid. Just do it. If people don’t like it, they don’t have to look.”
    “That’s one thing I’ve always really liked about you.”
    “What?” I asked, confused. “That I’ll make out in public?”
    “No, that you’ll do whatever you want to do without caring what other people will think about it. It’s a rare quality. So many of us allow ourselves to be dictated by fear of someone else’s opinion.”
    I shrugged. “I think it’s my life—I ought to be the one who lives it.” She was wrong, though. I might do whatever I wanted, but it didn’t mean I was completely fearless. There were lots of things that made me feel nervous or insecure. I tried not to let those things show or get in my way too often.
    “Well, I agree, and I like it.”
    “Glad I have your approval.”
    “You do.” She patted my arm briefly. “You’re a good duck.”
    Ducks. Instantly, I was in Nikki’s bathroom once again, watching her brush her teeth while I teased her about the rubber ducks in the tub.
    I tried not to sigh. Everything reminded me of Nikki.
     
     

Chapter Five
    Two days later, I glanced around my room with satisfaction, staring at Nikki's picture placed in its new home next to Turk. Other than a couple boxes of odds and ends, I was pretty much unpacked.
    The apartment didn't resemble the typical bachelor pad, thanks to my mom giving me all her furniture since Greg’s house was fully furnished. I doubted many college coeds could boast of massive overstuffed leather couches complete with a coffee table, end tables, lamps, rug and a matching entertainment center with big screen TV and state of the art surround sound. If it weren't for the fact the pictures on the walls