Read Finding Chase (Chasing Nikki) for Free Online Page A

the street.
    “Yeah, it’s been incredible. It’s great to see the outpouring of love for this little girl. I got to meet her yesterday. She’s precious. I think they’re going to bring her here later.”
    “How bad is she?” Brett asked.
    Brittney shook her head and lowered her voice. “I don’t think there’s any hope, really. They’re simply trying to make the best of the time they have with her.”
    The old anger at death began to raise its ugly head, crowding me with the helpless feeling I always dreaded. I’d seen it tear up the lives of too many people. I was sick of hearing about it happening to others. I was sick of it happening to me. I was happy when the waitress interrupted us to take our order.
    “Hi, Brittney. What can I get you and your friends to drink?”
    I flicked a glance up, pausing when I saw a stunning brunette. When she smiled, my gaze settled on her mouth, and I was captivated. There was something about her that reminded me of Nikki.
    “Hey, Jennifer. This is my twin brother, Brett, and one of our best friends, Chase Walker.”
    “Pleasure to meet you both,” she said as she handed us menus.
    “Nice to meet you,” I replied with a nod, dragging my stare from her lips to her eyes with some effort.
    “Oh, and you remember my friend, Tana, from the other night,” Brittney added as Tana approached the table with a wave.
    “I do. Hi, again.”
    Tana smiled and seated herself next to Brett. Pushing her black hair behind her ear, she leaned to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Sorry I’m late. It took forever to find a parking spot.”
    “No worries. We were just getting started.”
    Their voices faded away into the background while I studied Jennifer, trying to figure out exactly what it was that reminded me of Nikki. She was about the same height and body type, maybe somewhat taller, but her eyes were green. Her brown hair was pulled into a ponytail, but looked like it might be around the same length—it was definitely the same shade. Her face was slightly rounder—she smiled at me again holding her pen poised. There it was—something about that smile, the way her plump lips curved, the corners angling upward as if she smiled a lot.
    “Chase?” Brittney nudged me, and I looked at her.
    “What?”
    “Jennifer asked you what you want to drink.”
    “Oh, sorry. The heat is getting to me I guess,” I lied.
    Jennifer laughed, and it was a nice sound. “Let me help you with that.”
    I lifted an eyebrow, and she laughed again.
    “Your drink?”
    “Right. I’ll take water, as cold as you’ve got it.”
    “Done. I’ll be back in a minute to get your food order.”
    I watched her walk away, trying to imagine she was Nikki.
    Brett’s laughter drew my attention. “Is that the rise of the old female predator I see going on there?”
    “What do you mean?” I asked.
    “I mean you’re staring at that girl like she’s candy. I haven’t seen that part of you in a long time.”
    “Actually, something about her reminds me of Nikki.”
    “Really?”
    Everyone turned to stare.
    “I don’t see it,” Brittney said.
    “I do,” Tana added. “Something about the way she smiles, and she has the same coloring.”
    “Exactly.” I gave a sigh and leaned back in my chair, happy to know my mind wasn’t playing tricks on me.
    Brett squeezed my shoulder. “Keep your chin up, bro. Things will get better eventually.”
    Nodding, I picked up my menu and began reading. I didn’t know if it would ever be possible.
     
     

Chapter Six
    Another week went by, and things were starting to fall into a regular schedule for me. Basically, my life consisted of a lot of weight training and football practice, followed by weekends at home to help my mom with wedding preparations. If I ever had down time, I was either sleeping, playing video games, or surfing the internet—like I was tonight. I was turning into a boring old lady.
    “Hey, man,” Brett said, sticking his head in my doorway.