Chapter Twenty-Seven
The cemetery was quiet this early in the morning. I placed the fresh roses on her grave next to the dozen other wilting plants left here just two days ago. I stood very still staring at her name on the marker at the head of her plot, having a hard time believing she was here in this permanent resting place.
“So, I got your letter,” I said. “Your mom found it and gave it to me.” I struggled to speak, my voice catching with emotion. “I want you to know I really love you too—so much more than I could ever possibly show you.
“I guess I’m going to try to give you the only thing I have left, and that’s my life. I’ve decided I’m not going to try to join you. After I read what you had to say, I feel like it would be letting you down if I tried to follow. I don’t want you to think the things you tried to show me were in vain.
“I know you’d tell me I should be doing this for myself and not for you, but this is going to have to be good enough for a while because it’s all I’ve got right now.
“On that note, I want you to know I’ve made a firm commitment to stay off the drugs and stuff. I was afraid to let them go before, and honestly I still am, but I’m going to sign up for Maggie’s group session and learn the proper tools to help myself.”
I swallowed at the knot in my throat, wondering for the millionth time why living had to be so hard.
“I’ll do my best to make you proud, wherever you are. You’re a piece of my soul too, and I will never forget you as long as I live. Thank you, for everything. I love you.”
I stayed there for several long moments, having a hard time getting my feet to move from the spot. I finally forced myself to turn and walk away.
“Goodbye, Nikki,” I whispered.
I hurried to my truck and drove away, fighting the urge to look back, my hands shaking against the steering wheel. I pulled into the lot at the school and parked, leaning my head against my arms. This was too hard.
Stop looking at the past, her voice echoed in my mind. Look to the future.
Sighing, I reached into my pocket and took out my cell phone, dialing a number.
“Hello?” Coach Hardin’s voice came.
“Coach. This is Chase. I’m sorry I missed all the practices and the game last week. Is it still okay if I keep playing?”
“Of course it is. You never lost your spot. We’ve been holding it for you until you felt you could come again. Your mom and Grandpa both talked to me about it.”
“They did?” I asked, surprised because no one had said anything to me.
“Yes. They’ve been worried about you. We all knew you needed some time to get over the initial shock of things.”
“Thanks, Coach.” I felt overwhelmed. “I’ll see you at practice this afternoon then.”
“Sounds good to me,” he replied. “Glad to have you back, Chase.”
I hung up and put the phone away, releasing a deep breath.
I got out and headed toward the school, staring at my feet as I walked alone, not really wanting to make eye contact with anyone.
“Hey, bro,” Brett’s voice said, and I looked up to find him standing with Brittney, Tana, Chad, and Wes. “We’ve all been waiting for you.”
I couldn’t speak as I saw my friends here, ready to support me even though they were dealing with their own grief too. I was going to get through this—we were going to get through this—together.
Epilogue
Four Years Later
The crowd was still going wild as the television reporter pulled me off to the sideline, shouting at me so he could be heard over the melee.
“Chase Walker, this has to be an amazing moment for you today, not only playing here in the college Fiesta Bowl in your home state of Arizona, but also scoring the winning touchdown in a very tight game. You’ve been an amazing quarterback, and there are already many bets on you being a first round pick for some of these scouting NFL teams.”
He turned and pointed up to the screaming fans in the stands.
I looked up to see my mom hugging her husband, Greg. Grandpa was beaming as he wrapped his arm around Grandma. Brett was smiling—high fiving, Brittney. And Chad and Wes were giving me two thumbs up.
“It’s obvious you’re a fan favorite as well,” the reporter continued loudly. “If you could pick one major thing you feel you owe your success to, what would that thing be?”
I didn’t hesitate in my reply. “Chasing Nikki.”
***
Chase’s story continues: Read the sequel, Finding Chase, available now!
Author’s Note:
Death from pulmonary embolism is a very real occurrence after injuries. Sadly, many non-life threatening injuries can end in this terrible result if not treated properly.
I experienced this heartbreak in my own life after my mother fell from a ladder and broke her back. She was in a lot of pain which made it difficult for her to move. She spent several weeks in physical therapy trying to overcome her injury but had a second bad spell. Due to her lack of efficient movement, she developed a blood clot and passed her first pulmonary embolism. She was placed in the hospital and treated for her condition, but unfortunately, the damage was done. She died a week later of a second massive pulmonary embolism—the day after she was released.
Hospitals routinely treat for this condition after accidents, which has helped lower the occurrence of this significantly. However, incorrect dosages and/or extenuating circumstances can still allow this killer to strike unexpectedly.
For more information on pulmonary embolism, its causes, signs, symptoms, and appropriate prevention, you can visit the Mayo Clinic’s Website at:
https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pulmonary-embolism/DS00429/DSECTION=prevention
If you have recently experienced the loss of a loved one, there are many grief/counseling services available. You can search the internet to find a group or service near you.
About the Author
Lacey Weatherford is the bestselling author of many young adult books such as the Of Witches and Warlocks series, and Crush. She has always loved books and wanted to become a writer since reading her first Nancy Drew novel at the age of eight.
Lacey resides in the beautiful White Mountains of Arizona. She lives with her wonderful husband, children, and their family pets. When she’s not out supporting one of her kids at their sporting/music events, she spends her time reading, writing, blogging, and socializing with her readers on her social media accounts.
Visit Lacey’s Official Website:
https://www.laceyweatherfordbooks.com
Follow on Twitter:
LMWeatherford
Or Facebook:
Lacey Weatherford - Author
Other Books by Lacey Weatherford:
Of Witches and Warlocks series
The Trouble with Spells
The Demon Kiss
Blood of the White Witch
The Dark Rising
Possession of Souls
Book of Shadows series
Fire & Ice
Chasing Nikki series
Chasing Nikki
Finding Chase
Chased Dreams (Available May 25, 2014)
The Crush Series
Crush
Smitten
Love
The Fringe Novels
Tell Me Why
Stix & Stones (Coming April 5, 2014)
Novellas
Faery Kissed
Over the River and Through the Woods
Multi-author Anthology
A Midsummer Night’s Fling
Also coming from Lacey Weatherford:
Allure (July 6, 2014)
Fall For Me (Coming Aug. 24, 2014)
Smolder (Coming Oct. 12, 2014)
Let It Snow (Dec. 7, 2014)
31 Flavors (Feb. 8, 2014)
Check out these great bestselling authors too!
Belinda Boring
The Mystic Wolves series
A Midsummer N
ight’s Fling Anthology
Broken Promises
Loving Liberty
Kamery Solomon
A Midsummer Night’s Fling
Zeus
Poseidon
Big Apple Dreams
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