Chasing Nikki(5)

“Maybe that won’t be as bad as you think,” she replied, looking up at me. “We can both use a little structure in our lives right now.”

“Speak for yourself,” I replied under my breath, but she heard every word.

“Do you remember where we’re at?” She arched an eyebrow. “I don’t need any more attitude from you.”

“Let’s just get this over with,” I said with a sigh and walked quickly through the door, but she grabbed my arm, turning me back to face her.

“Trust me, Chase. I only want what’s best for you.” Her direct look was full of emotion, and it caused me to feel that moment of regret again. I couldn’t hurt her any more than I already had. She didn’t deserve it.

“I’m trying to, Mom. I really am.”





Chapter Two





I drove my truck up the dirt lane—following behind the small U-Haul my mom was driving, towing her car behind it. We had to go slowly since the road was full of dips and bumps, caused by heavy snow and rain during the winter. I was thankful it was April now, and while it was still cool, we’d missed the worst of the weather. I was definitely going to miss the warm desert. I rolled my eyes for what must’ve been the thousandth time, and I cranked my music up even louder.

At least I’d managed to convince her to let me keep my pickup. I reminded her that the ranch was three miles off the main highway and three more miles to the school. I told her, unless Grandpa was planning on loaning me his ancient tractor, she was going to have to take me to school every day, because I refused to walk three miles to catch the bus.

She finally relented.

We passed out of the heavy cedar growth into the flat area that marked the ranch. The fields were all empty dirt patches right now, just waiting to be replanted.

Silver Creek—the actual creek the town was named after—ran through the far edge of the property. Big cottonwood trees lined its banks, showing their new spring leaves that were rippling in the breeze. Directly ahead was the sprawling two story white ranch house, with its immaculately trimmed lawns and wide porches. The huge red barn, with lots of stalls and corrals, sat off to the right.

I guess people would call the view pretty, if they were into rural settings. I, personally, thought it would have been more appropriate if there were a giant sign in the yard with the word ‘prison’ scrawled across it in giant letters.

Grandma Johnson ran from the house with a big smile on her face as we pulled up. She wiped her hands on her apron and hurried to greet us.

Mom jumped out to hug her tightly, and I reluctantly went to do the same. Grandma was probably the one bright spot to this whole new change, but I wasn’t in the mood for happy greetings.

“Chase!” She turned to me with a delighted look and held her arms open.

I walked into them and hugged her loosely, but she squeezed me tightly.

“Welcome home,” she said. “I’m so thrilled you’ve come to live with us. We’ve hardly seen you it seems, and I can’t believe how big you’ve gotten! How tall are you now?”

“Six foot two,” I replied, stepping away.

“My, my, and all lean muscle from the looks of it. I bet the girls go nuts over you with that strong, chiseled jaw, dark hair and eyes. You’ve grown like a weed! Ah, so handsome.” She clasped her hand over her heart.

At the mention of weed, I suddenly wished I had some. I could use a little escape right now. It was one thing to have cute babes hanging all over me, another entirely to have my grandma raving over how good looking she thought I was. It was a little creepy.

My thoughts were interrupted by a new figure stepping from the house.

Grandpa Johnson was imposing. He was tall and fit, with short, salt and pepper colored hair. I could hear his boots hitting the porch as he crossed and made his way down the steps toward us.

“They’re here, Warren!” my grandma called to him.

“I can see that, Caroline,” he replied gruffly. He bent to hug my mom. “Welcome home, Tori, sweetheart.”

“Thanks, Dad,” she replied happily.

Grandpa moved away from her and turned to look at me. He scowled, and I lifted my chin, determined not to let him walk all over me. “Chase,” he said in a low voice.

“Warden,” I replied with a sarcastic nod, telling him I knew exactly what his intended role was in regard to me.

His jaw clenched, but to his credit he didn’t give into my goading, and there was an awkward silence before Grandma spoke up again to my mother.

“We’ve prepared the upstairs for you to live in. Your dad and I rarely even go up there anymore, so feel free to arrange your things however you would like. Anything of ours you don’t want to use can be taken to the attic.”