Page 5 of Big Nick Energy

“This is going to be a good weekend,” I assured her gently.

“Yeah, I agree. I think it’ll be fun.” A beeping noise rang out in her background. “My coffee is ready.”

“Your new coffeemaker has really saved you a lot of money.”

“It really has! Okay so, I’m going to load up my car and I’ll be at your place in like thirty minutes.”

“That’s cool. See you soon!”

We got off the phone and I bounded across the room to get my stuff. I moved my bags to the living room and then got dressed in my yoga pants and sports bra. Grabbing an off the shoulder sweatshirt, I pulled it over my head and then pulled my boho knotless braids that were caught in the collar. Taking a step back, I turned around to check out how my ass looked in the pants. Just in case Nick happened to be in the same hotel as us, I wanted to make sure I made a good impression.

“And this should do it,” I whispered, acknowledging the way the purple yoga pants with orange piping conformed to my shape.

The orange sweatshirt brought out the red undertones of my brown skin. I didn’t put on makeup, but the excitement of the weekend gave me a natural glow. My naturally thick eyelashes made my chestnut brown eyes stand out. My high cheekbones and natural resting bitch face made me look like a model in pictures. But in real life, I was told I looked unapproachable and intimidating—until I smiled.

A slow smile crossed my face.

Nick won’t know what hit him.

Thirty minutes later, I was just finishing my bagel as I heard a car pulling into the driveway. I grabbed my bags and opened the door. Paris smiled as she got out of her car.

“Were you waiting for me by the door?” she joked.

“You know I like to be on time,” I responded, rolling my eyes. I unlocked the doors and hit the button to access the cargo space in the back. “What can I say? I’m timely.”

“Or is it that you’re in a rush to see a certain somebody?”

We loaded up the trunk with our belongings. “I’m just excited about homecoming.”

“Is homecoming code for Nick?”

“Homecoming is code for Nick’s dick.”

We laughed as we climbed into my SUV.

Before I started the engine, I took a selfie of us and then connected my playlist to the speakers. As soon as the throbbing beat of our favorite song started thumping, we simultaneously moved our shoulders to the beat.

Looking over at my best friend, I grinned. “It’s time for us to rewrite history. Because this time, we get the guy.”

Two

It didn’t matter that we were a little pitchy and off-key, we sang at the top of our lungs the entire way to Richland. We turned the music down when we approached the swanky hotel where most of the Hamilton University alumni booked rooms. The hotel across the street was just as nice, but The Elm was bigger, better, and the location of Saturday’s party.

“Do you think all of the SONs will be here?” Paris wondered as I eased the car in line for valet parking.

“I wouldn’t be surprised.” Smiling, I glanced over at her. “Are you curious about the whole frat or just Tucker?”

“I’m over Tuck,” she insisted. “I was just curious.”

I pointed to the sidewalk. “Is that him?”

The way her head flew around, I couldn’t help but laugh. “Where?”

“I thought you were over him,” I teased.

She looked around before turning to me. “You didn’t see him, did you?” Once she saw me smiling, she exclaimed, “You bitch!” She swatted at my arm. “I’m going to get you back!”

“I just wanted to prove my point. This weekend is for both of us. Yes, I may be the one with the plan. But you need to come upwith your own plan because Tuck will more than likely be here. And when you see him, what are you going to do?”

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