Nate (A Texas Jacks Novel) Read Online Free

pull his bike down the ramp that Holt set up while Tucker was looking for Lisa.
    “Chill out. I’m just being a good friend, making sure we’re all focused, okay? Holt, you good to ride, or do I need to smack you around, too? I could free the rest of those cobwebs left over from high school.”
    “Ha, you think you can get a jab in at me?” Holt laughs at me.
    “You forget that I know where you sleep, and it’s not that far of a walk from my room to yours. Or maybe you forgot about that one time in college, when Tucker and I jumped you from the big oak tree on your path to English class.” Tucker high-fives me as he’s walking by with his bike towards the track, laughing.
    “You know, I still owe you two stooges for that. You made me drop my backpack when I jumped and screamed like a girl. I thought I was on the verge of a heart attack.”
    I just laugh at him and start wheeling my own dirt bike out to the track calling out, “Good luck with that!” over my shoulder.
    Lisa’s a pretty girl, and she seemed nice enough, but she really just wanted one thing— good old Tuck-boy. In high school, she was quiet, laid back, and pretty dang smart— even a little shy. The girl doesn’t have a single mean bone in her body. Or so we used to think. I know one thing for sure— she has it bad, and it appears she can’t let go of Tucker. Heck, she’s wanted him since freshman year of high school. He finally decided to take her out awhile back, and then ended up dating her for two months. It all seemed to be going well for a time, until she started dropping hints about moving in together. That was a big red flag for Tucker. Living together, settling down with a wife and then kids isn’t on his list of life plans. He would probably still be dating her if she hadn’t gotten that serious on him. Although, he had to know it was coming, since she’s been after him for so long. She’d made it her life mission to go after Tucker, and finally landed him.
    Why can’t women be content to just date us and not worry about lifelong plans? It takes the excitement out of dating and the relationship. Eventually, it all goes south from there, and then you have to break her heart. After that, it’s really downhill when you have to hear about it from her friends, and your friends’ girlfriends, and other people in town. That’s the bad part about living in a smallish community. Everyone knows everyone, and judgments pass easily, whether you are actually the bad guy or not. Or, you have to deal with the pitying looks when you lose a loved one and can’t seem to move on from it.
    Great, just what I need — my head filled with more distractions.
    Thanks, Tuck and Lisa, for making that happen.
    Getting a grip on my thoughts, I make my way to the starting line of the track, park my bike next to Tucker’s, and suit up with the proper gear to protect my body.
    Once I’m dressed and ready to go, I look out at the track that’s calling my name and begging me to take it on. It’s the biggest dragon in the kingdom, and I’m the only one who can slay it with my sword. I take in a cleansing breath, calming myself down, and then let it go slowly. I do this a few times while Holt pushes his bike up next to mine.
    It’s time to get this show on the road.
    Climbing on to my bike and starting it up, I feel it rumble under me, letting the excitement for what’s about to come wash over me. I clear my head, knowing it’s time to let go of everything and everyone invading my thoughts and just focusing on myself, the road, and the jumps ahead.
    I look over at the guys and give them each a thumbs-up before taking off.

 
    I T’S 7 PM, AND I ’M TRYING to decide what to wear—but I have no idea what to throw together. A denim skirt, paired with a blouse and my cowgirl boots? Or my butt hugging jeans, cowboy belt buckle, boots, and a cute t-shirt? I don’t have the slightest clue. And where are my partners-in-crime? Why didn’t we agree to all