Page 12 of Big Nick Energy

“I introduced myself,” Mitchell pointed out, stepping in front of Jason. “I didn’t need an introduction.”

“It’s funny how you never have anything to say until there’s a pretty girl around,” Jason commented, bemused.

Nick ignored them as his thumb ran across the back of my hand. “I see you’re not concussed, so that’s what’s up.”

I giggled. “Yeah, I survived.”

“A concussion?” Jason asked loudly, confused. “What the hell y’all got going on?”

“I kind of ran into her at the hotel,” Nick admitted, giving my hand a squeeze before relinquishing it.

“Kind of?” I quirked an eyebrow. “You kinda ‘bowed me.”

“I didn’t see you,” he explained, eyes wide. “They moved the time up for the panelists to meet before we were to go on and I was rushing. I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.”

I chewed on my bottom lip, so I didn’t start grinning.I have a few suggestions as to how you could make it up to me.

“You telling me this big ass Neanderthal looking muthafucka put his hands on you?” Jason’s eyes were wide as he pointed an accusatory finger at Nick. He was fighting his amusement as he shook his head. “I can’t believe you’d do some shit like that! That’s messed up.”

“Hey, Asha, I would never do some shit like that,” Mitchell offered, causing us all to laugh.

“I didn’t see her,” Nick explained loudly over our laughter. “I was rushing into the elevator and—mmcht, I ain’t explainingshit to neither one of y’all! As long as Asha knows the truth and forgives me, that’s all that matters.”

“Are you coming to the party tomorrow?” Jason wondered, eyeing me.

“Yes. My ticket is secured.”

He nodded. “Okay good. I was going to say you should get Nick to get you a ticket since he fought you in the elevator.”

Mitchell shook his head dramatically. “Again, something I would never do.”

“Both of you can go to hell,” Nick grumbled. “Asha, please don’t pay attention?—”

“Hold up, hold up, hold up,” Jason interrupted. “Did we have a class together? Are you Asha from Comm 250?”

I opened my eyes wide and pretended I’d just made the connect. “Oh, yeah! We did!”

“Oh shit!” He clapped his hands together. “This girl was all quiet and shy, so you never expected how cool she was,” he said of me. “Now that I know that you’re good people, I’ll for real fight this dude for throwing you to the ground earlier.”

I laughed. “There’s no need for all that.”

He looked at Nick and pointed forcefully. “You’re lucky,” he said in a warning tone.

Nick rolled his eyes.

“What are you doing later?” Mitchell asked me.

I glanced at Nick. “I don’t know.”

“Because of the concussion? Understood,” Jason commented with a sympathetic look. He glared at Nick. “Did you at least invite her to the kickback after you drop-kicked her?”

“I would’ve invited you to the kickback,” Mitchell chimed in. “Without the violence.”

I snickered. “I mean, this kickback seems cool.”

“That settles it.” Jason slapped Nick’s shoulder. “You’ll be at the kickback tonight and you’ll be bringing Asha. We’ll see y’all later.”

Before either of us had a chance to respond, Jason and Mitchell had walked off and were damn near running down the steps.

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