Page 49 of Big Nick Energy

11:58am.

“You’re not going to miss your flight, are you?” I climbed out the bed and started collecting my clothes strewn across the room.

“Not if I can help it,” he explained, pulling out a pair of joggers and a t-shirt.

He made his way over to me and then scooped me up in his arms. Bringing his lips to mine, he kissed me. His mouth moved over mine and a chill ran down my spine. When he pulled out of the kiss, he looked me in my eyes.

“I hate to rush, but…”

“No, I understand.” I pushed him. “Go, go, go!”

He placed one last quick kiss against my lips before he headed to the bathroom.

“I need to pack up too, so I’m gonna go.” I pulled my dress back on and stepped into my shoes.

“I’ll call you when I make it to the airport,” he yelled from the shower.

“Bye!”

I made a beeline to my room with my bag in one hand and my panties clutched in the other. When I swiped the keycard at the door, I found Paris was humming happily as she finished packing her bag.

“Girl!” she yelled, throwing her hands in the air.

“Giiiiiiiiirl!” I hollered in return.

We both fell out laughing.

“It won’t take me long to get ready, I already know what I’m wearing,” I told her as I ran to the bathroom to shower.

Thirty minutes later, I was fresh, clean, and dressed in distressed jeans and a black and white Hamilton University t-shirt. We packed my SUV and then headed to HU for the picnic.

“…and then I got back to the room around eleven,” Paris concluded as my mouth hung open.

Hearing how her night went made me so happy. “Paris!” I squealed. “This is how you end the fucking weekend!”

We hooted and hollered as we found a parking spot and made our way over to the quad where the picnic was being held. We were riding the high from our wild nights. There were so many beautiful smiling faces. There was so much joy swirling around campus. The smell of grilled meats and vegetables was in the air. The music and laughter carried between buildings. The more we walked around, the more people we saw and the more conversations we participated in.

“Asha! Paris!” a woman called our names, and we whipped around to see who it was.

“Anna!” I gasped.

“Where have you been?” Paris asked as we hugged her tight.

Before she could answer, Michaela, Lauren, Olivia, Connor, Bowman and Franklin appeared. Within an instant, it was a sophomore year English reunion. It was nice seeing old friends we’d only kept up with on social media.

My phone vibrated in my back pocket. When I pulled it out and saw who the text message was from, my stomach fluttered.

Nick Williams: I’m at the airport. About to check in and then go through security.

Asha James: I’m glad you made it safely. I would’ve felt so bad if I had anything to do with you missing your flight.

Nick Williams: I’m going to barely make it to my gate, but I wouldn’t change a thing about my time with you.

I sighed happily and was about to tell Paris about the text message when I looked up and stopped in my tracks. A crowd had gathered around a trio of men and women who were doing a dance.

My face crumpled in confusion.Where the hell did Paris go?

When I looked to the right, I did a double take. Evie’s friend Michelle was staring at me.

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