Chapter Six
I was still blissfully asleep at eight o’clock the next morning when my phone started buzzing. I reached to silence it, but when I saw the number I answered right away.
“Hello?” I tried to make my voice sound normal despite not having used it today.
“Are you awake?” Nikki asked.
“Of course,” I replied.
“You said you would never lie to me remember?” She giggled.
“If I weren’t awake, how could I be talking to you?”
“I woke you up, didn’t I?”
“Yep, and I’m thinking you should do it every morning from now on.” I couldn’t stop grinning like a goof. “What’s up?”
“I’m calling in our date. You said I could plan the time and place. The time is in one hour, and I will text you the address. Can you make it?”
“I’ll be there.” I hopped out of bed and hurried to my closet to pull out some clothes. “What are we doing?”
“Can’t tell you. It’ll ruin the surprise.” She sounded excited.
“Okay. See you in a bit.” I hung up and grabbed a couple other items and headed for the shower, passing my mom in the hall.
“Where are you headed so early?” she asked.
“I have a date,” I replied with a wink.
“A date?” She smiled widely. “This early? On a Sunday? Must be a special girl.”
“I’m thinking maybe so. Is it okay with you? I didn’t ask. It was kind of spur of the moment.”
“Who is she?”
“Her name is Nikki Wagner. She’s a sweet girl. I guess she’s one of the cheerleaders.”
“Oh. A cheerleader,” she replied in a voice that made it sound like I’d hit the jackpot or something. “Is she pretty?”
“Very. I’m in a bit of a hurry, Mom,” I added, knowing the clock was ticking and not wanting to be late.
“Go on, kiddo. Have some fun for a change.” She was humming to herself as she walked away.
Thirty-five minutes later I was running out of the house as I scarfed down a piece of toast with some jelly for breakfast. I cursed the dirt road for the bad condition it was in, causing me to drive slower.
When I got to town, I rushed into the supermarket, over to the flower section. They didn’t have a whole lot to choose from, but there was a slender vase with three decent looking roses in it. There wasn’t time to hit up the florist, and I wasn’t sure if they were even open today. But I’d told Nikki I would bring her flowers when I first asked her out, and I intended to keep my word.
I was very antsy as I waited for the checkout line to move, knowing I was cutting it severely close. Thankfully, I sort of knew where I was going from the address Nikki had sent, and it wasn’t far.
“Well, well. What have we here?”
I turned around to find Brett and Brittney grinning in the line behind me. They each held a box of doughnuts.
“I think someone has scored a date,” Brittney said, winking. “Am I right?”
“I don’t kiss and tell.” I smiled.
“Ooh, and he’s already talking about kissing. I think our little Rockstar thinks he’s gonna get lucky today. What do you think, Bro?”
“Did she finally say yes?” Brett asked.
“Called me this morning and told me where to meet her.” I glanced at my cell phone again. “And I’m going to be late if this line doesn’t get going any faster. What are you two up to?” I said, trying to redirect the conversation.
“Out collecting the breakfast of champions.” Brett gestured to the doughnuts.
“It’s kind of a Sunday ritual with our family. Our parents started it before we were born,” Brittney added.
“That’s cool,” I replied, happy to see it was my turn to check out. I did so quickly, grabbing the flowers and tossing a goodbye over my shoulder to the other two as I headed for the door.
“Have fun!” Brittney called after me.
“Absolutely.”
I arrived at the location with one minute to spare. However, I was a little confused since I found myself sitting in the parking lot of a nursing home.
I checked her text again.
1225 E. Hillside Ave.
No, I was in the right place—she must’ve given me the wrong address.
I sent a message to Nikki. Umm . . . sitting in the parking lot of a rest home. Think U gave me the wrong address.
My phone buzzed. No. UR in the right place. Meet me in room 120.
This was an awfully strange place for a first date.
What the heck was she doing?
I stared at the text for a moment longer before I shook my head, wondering what I was getting into. I grabbed the vase of flowers and went inside.
“Can I help you?” a young man wearing a pair of scrubs asked when I walked into the large lobby.
“I’m meeting someone in room one twenty.”
“Down the hall to your left.” He pointed.
“Thanks.” I went in the direction he’d indicated, passing several open doors along the way. There were a lot of people living here. I found the room number with the name Mildred Wagner etched into a little bronze plate underneath.
“Hello?” I called, knocking on the slightly ajar door.
“Come in, Chase,” Nikki’s voice replied.
I entered and found her curled up in a chair next to a bed that held a tiny, frail looking, elderly woman.
“Oh! You brought flowers!” Nikki exclaimed, getting up to come over.
“I told you I would.” I smiled a little uncomfortably, still not sure why she was having me meet her here.
She took the vase. “Look, Grandma. Chase brought you flowers! Wasn’t that sweet?”
I sighed and smiled, determined to play along with whatever she had going on.
“Chase, this is my Grandma Wagner. She’s my dad’s mom. He used to come and visit her every Sunday before he died. I’ve tried to keep up the tradition since he passed on. Grandma had a bad stroke several years ago and lost some of her motor and speech skills, so she’s unable to take care of herself.”
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Wagner,” I said, nodding toward the lady.
She gave me a half smile and slightly raised her trembling arm.
“She wants to shake your hand,” Nikki said, placing the flowers on the bedside stand and sitting back down.
I walked over and took Mrs. Wagner’s small hand in mine, giving it a slight squeeze. I was surprised by the strength with which she responded and continued her grasp, not letting go.
Nikki laughed. “I think someone has a crush. I told you he was very handsome, didn’t I, Grandma?”
Mrs. Wagner visibly blushed at this remark, and I chuckled.
“I don’t know what lies she’s been telling you about me.” I cast a glance in Nikki’s direction. “But they’re probably all true.”
Nikki smiled wider. “Let go of him now, Grandma, so he can come sit by me.”
Her grandma obliged, and I made my way around to the other side of the bed, pulling up a chair next to her.
“Every time I come here I make sure my grandma gets to eat her favorite pudding, which is butterscotch, by the way. She can’t feed herself very well, so I like to help her enjoy her treat. Do you mind waiting while I do that first? Then we can go on the rest of our date.”
“Sure. Do whatever you need to. I’m at your mercy for the entire day.”
“I like the sound of that,” Nikki said with a grin.
An orderly entered the room carrying what I assumed was pudding in a small parfait glass with a spoon.
“Here’s your dish, Mrs. Wagner. Straight from the kitchen, just the way you like it.” The young man smiled and served the dish toward her with a flourish, as if he were the best waiter in a fancy restaurant.
Mrs. Wagner gave her same half smile back to him.
Nikki took the dessert, sat on the edge of the bed, and began carefully feeding her grandma. She had to pause every
now and then and wipe the woman’s face with a napkin, but eventually she managed to patiently serve her every bite.
“Did you enjoy that?” Nikki asked her, and she nodded. “Good. Would you like me to read to you a little before I go?”
Mrs. Wagner shook her head and pointed at me.
“You want Chase to read to you?” She giggled.
Her grandma denied her again and smiled wider, loosely gesturing toward the door.
“Oh. You want me to leave with him, don’t you?”
Her grandma nodded and dropped her hand back into her lap.
“Well, I guess we’ve been kicked out, Chase. Let’s go.” Nikki picked up her bag off the nightstand before bending to kiss her grandma on the cheek. “Love you. I’ll tell you all about it later, okay?”
“It was nice to meet you,” I said again, patting the woman’s hand, and she turned hers so she could clasp mine once more. She released me quickly this time, and I smiled before I followed Nikki through the door.
“She likes you,” Nikki said with a grin.
“I think I might like her too. Of course, I don’t really know her, but she seems as though she’s a nice enough lady.”
“She’s wonderful. She also happens to be an incurable romantic. That’s why she was so eager to rush us out of there.”
“Really? Does that mean I should be expecting romance on this date you’ve planned?” I teased.
“You haven’t qualified for that kind of attention yet, but you’re getting closer,” she replied.
“I haven’t qualified? What is this, some sort of test or something?”
“Yep, and you’re passing so far, so just chill and roll with it.” She elbowed me in the ribs.
“It’s a good thing I like you.”
“Why’s that?” she asked sincerely.
“Because I’ve never worked this hard to get a date before,” I answered honestly.
She sidled up close and placed her hand on my chest. “Well, you know what they say. The best things come to those who wait.” She bit her bottom lip and traced down with her finger.
My heart rate notched up a bit at her slight touch. “Is that what they say?”
“It is.” She nodded.
“Well, then I guess I’ll have to keep waiting.”
She laughed, moving away, and I was sorry to see her go.
“So, where are we going now?” I asked.
“To the theater.”
“Cool. What are we watching?” I could do a movie easily enough.
“Today is the Silver Screen Sunday Classic. We’re going to watch Gone with the Wind. It’s four hours of complete heaven.”
I actually had to clench my teeth to keep the groan from escaping my mouth. “Sounds awesome,” I said tightly, and she giggled even harder.
“There you go, breaking that whole lying promise again.”
“I’m not lying—you and me, practically alone in a dark theater? That’s right up my alley, I’d say.”
She halted in the middle of the hallway. “Oh. I didn’t think about that.”
“I bet you didn’t.” I grinned, brushing past her. “But this was your idea so you can’t back out now.”
We stepped outside into the bright sunshine.
“Where’s your car?” I asked, looking around for the red convertible VW bug she drove.
“I don’t have it. My mom dropped me off today so I could ride with you later.”
“Good thinking.” I walked over to the passenger side of my truck and opened the door.
“Thanks,” she replied softly, suddenly seeming kind of shy.
“You’re welcome,” I answered, closing it once she was settled in.
She didn’t speak while I drove, but it didn’t feel uncomfortable, so I didn’t try to break the silence. We soon had our tickets and were seated in the middle of the empty theater.
“Wow. I was kidding when I said it would be mostly empty.” I handed her the popcorn.
“Sometimes I’m the only one here, but there are days when several others show up. I guess it depends on what mood people are in.”
“How often do they do this?” I asked.
“Only once a month. But I try to come every time. My grandma was the one who got me hooked on these old movies. She used to bring me when I was younger.”
“So in a way, this is your tribute to her.”
“Exactly.” She smiled.
“Well, I’m glad you invited me then.”
“Me too. Have you ever seen this movie before?”
“Can’t say I have. I’m more of an action-packed kind of guy.”
“Give it a chance. Let it speak to you. They don’t make movies like this anymore.”
“I’ll do my best,” I replied. I was pretty sure I was set for four hours of agony. I was already bored waiting for the opening credits to finish, but the picture finally started rolling, and the lead actress filled up the screen in her big white dress.
I leaned over to Nikki. “You’re right. This movie is going to be awesome. She’s hot. I’d totally date her.”
She elbowed me in the ribs again and snorted in an irritated fashion.
I chuckled. “What? I’m being completely serious.”
“You don’t say things like that when you’re with another girl. It’s rude,” she whispered.
“Oh. Sorry. What should I say? And why are we whispering? We’re the only ones here.”
“Quit talking and watch the movie,” she hissed. “You’re missing important stuff!”
“Yes ma’am. Forgive me for interrupting.” I sat up rigidly in my seat, and she lifted a hand to her mouth trying to stifle a laugh.
I dutifully paid attention and found myself being sucked into the story. I kept glancing over at Nikki occasionally, enjoying her mesmerized look as she watched the movie. She was really into this. It was kind of cute.
Her hands were neatly folded in her lap, and I suddenly wanted to touch her. I boldly reached over and took the one closest to me, lacing my fingers through hers, resting them together on her thigh.
I didn’t miss the small gasp she gave at my actions or the fact her hand was now trembling in mine. I leaned in next to her ear. “Relax, Nikki. I like you. Remember?”
She looked up at me and nodded. “I like you too.”
I couldn’t help the smile which broke across my face. “Good. Now we have that all settled, let’s finish this. Okay?”
“Okay,” she replied.
We stayed that way through the remainder of the show, me occasionally rubbing the back of her hand with my thumb, and once or twice she squeezed mine a little tighter in return. I didn’t really concentrate on the rest of the story, but by the time we left, I was pretty sure Gone with the Wind was now my most favorite movie ever.
“Where to now, boss?” I was still holding onto her as we left the theater and headed toward my truck.
“I thought we could go to Sonic and get some ice cream, if you’d like.”
“That sounds great.” I helped her into the vehicle.
“Do you care if I plug my iPod in?” she asked when I got in on the other side.
“Of course not. Go right ahead.” I rolled down my window to enjoy the nice air outside.
She took it out of her purse and hooked it up, getting it all situated as we turned into the drive in restaurant parking lot. I hit the edge of the sidewalk slightly when we entered and sent her bag flying to the floor, dumping its contents everywhere.
“Curb check,” I called out. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay,” she replied, bending over to pick up her stuff.
I pulled into a spot near the front. At that moment her iPod started blaring the song ‘Barbie Girl’ loudly through my speakers, for everyone to hear. I looked to see several guys from school I hung out with eating on the patio with a bunch of girls, staring at me curiously.
“Something you want to tell us, Walker?” Wes shouted, and everyone laughed.
I
rolled my eyes and pointed in Nikki’s direction, realizing then no one could see her since she was bent to gather her things.
“Sit up,” I said abruptly, not wanting the guys to think I was jamming to sissy tunes.
She leaned over to grab a tube of lip-gloss which had rolled between my feet, and I saw we were in a suggestive predicament.
“Never mind. Don’t get up,” I amended quickly.
“What? Why?” She lifted her head to look at me.
I groaned as everyone outside saw her, and all of a sudden a bunch of catcalls and whistle’s filled the air.
“Whoa ho! Look who’s been lying in Walker’s lap!” someone shouted.
Her face flushed red when she understood what everyone was thinking.
“Sorry,” I apologized. “I tried to warn you.”
“It’s not your fault.” She moved to the other side of the truck.
“Don’t give them the satisfaction of looking guilty.” I put my arm on the back of the seat and motioned for her to slide over.
She did so without hesitation, surprising me when she gave me a peck on the cheek.
“Thanks for trying to protect my reputation,” she said sincerely.
“Anytime, and I mean it.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and hugged her tightly.
Chasing Nikki Page 6
