Chapter Twenty – The Answer To One Question Only Leaves More Questions To Answer

Finally reaching Panama City, Nathan was exhausted. He had been driving non stop for the past two days and was ready to go into his hotel room, take a long shower, and sleep. Checking his wrist watch he checked the time. 11:30 am. He had checked the hours of City Hall while on the road and it didn't close till four o'clock that afternoon which left him enough time to take a shower and fit in a good 3 hours of sleep.

Nathan checked in at the front counter of the hotel and as he waited for the elevator to reach the tenth floor he checked the address in his pocket.

Nicole A. Nash

Apartment # 12B

2929 Candido Drive

Panama City Beach, Florida

32407

Making a mental note to get directions from the front desk to the address and City Hall before leaving Nathan entered his room. Dropping his luggage onto the ground with a sigh of relief, he didn't bother unpacking before heading straight into the bathroom and turning on the shower. Pulling off his shirt he walked out of the bathroom and grabbed the cell phone charger out of his duffle bag and cell phone out of his pocket and plugged it in. Slipping off his tennis shoes and pants he quickly undressed and headed back to the shower. As he was about to step in a knock on his door interrupted. Sighing heavily Nathan grabbed one of the white cotton towels off the shelf next to the toilet and tied it around his waist. Not bothering to check the peep whole Nathan flung open the door.

A tall, thin blonde, who was about Nathan's age, maybe a few years younger smiled in her maid outfit. With one hand on the cart of cleaning supplies and towels she fidgeted with her oversized pale blue wrinkled skirt. She took notice to a half naked Nathan and blushed. "Do you need any towels?"

Nathan laughed. "No. I think I'm all set."

"I can see that." She laughed turning to leave. "Alrighty then."

As Nathan was about to shut the door when he remembered he needed directions. "Hey." He called after her. The blonde turned around and walked back. "Could you give me some directions?" Nathan held out the piece of paper. The blonde smiled and took the paper from him and raised an eyebrow. "Do you know where that is?"

"Yeah." The girl nodded. "That apartment complex burned down though." She said handing the paper back to Nathan. "Do you know the girl who used to live there? Nicole?"

"Oh yeah, we go way back." Nathan lied nonchalantly. "Do you?"

"Yeah, actually." The girl nodded.

"That's great!" Nathan said turning around grabbing the complimentary pen and paper on the desk inside his room. "Can I have it?"

"She doesn't live there anymore." The blonde laughed. She noticed Nathans frown and half smiled. "But I do know the address where she works."

Nathans face lit up. He handed the paper and pen to the girl and waited. She finished writing the address and handed him back the paper and pen. Nathan looked down at the piece of paper. "Coyote Ugly?"

The blonde laughed. "It's a bar. She works there."

Nathan nodded. "Thanks." He was about to shut the door but was interrupted by the sound of the girls voice again.

"Look, I know this is totally random, but you are really hot."
The girl laughed and rolled her eyes. "Are you doing anything tonight?"

"Not really." Nathan answered honestly.

"Well I was wondering-" She started.

"I'm married." Nathan cut her off showing her the band on his finger. "Sorry."

"No harm, no foul." The girl laughed and smiled. "I'll see you around."

"My names Nathan."

"Lexii." She laughed. "I'll see you around, Nathan."

After a hot shower Nathan practically was asleep the moment he hit the sheets. Laying there, dreaming of North Carolina and basketball he could practically see Brooke's face. God did he love her. It was amazing that they ended up together and even more amazing that Lucas was able to accept the whole thing and how he and Brooke were still great friends. Drifting off into a deep sleep he almost prayed nothing would stir him, but the sound of his cell phone ringing two hours later interrupted any chance of complete serenity. Nathan groggily sat up and grabbed his cell phone off the charger and checked the ID. It was Brooke.

"Hey babe." Nathan said trying to cover up the fact that she had rudely awoken him from rest that he truly needed.

"Awe babe, you were asleep! I'm sorry." Brooke laughed.

"Don't be." Nathan said scratching his head. "What's up?"

"I just wanted to see if you were there yet." Brooke giggled at something Peyton or Haley said.

"Yeah, I'm here." As Nathan fell back into bed he checked the time on his phone. 3:16 pm. "Actually, I have to go. I'll call you later. Promise. Love You. Bye." Nathan hung up and quickly changed into a fresh pair of jeans and a black, short sleeved, button up t-shirt. Checking himself in the mirror and nodding in approval we grabbed his wallet and the hotel key and walked out.

About a half an hour later Nathan had finally made his way out of traffic. Pulling the address out of his pocket he checked it one last time.

Coyote Ugly Saloon

110512 Front Beach Road,

Panama City Beach, Florida

32407

Looking to his right he saw the bar. Pulling off the road and parking his car he didn't waste any time getting out of the car and making his way to the front door of the bar. Inside he took notice to the emptiness of the space around him. The only other people there was three girls behind the bar counter and the two security guards in the back corner taking large bites out of their sandwiches. Nathan walked in the bar and before he could catch the door it slammed behind him. The two security guards noticed his entrance but went back to their sandwiches. The three girls behind the bar also noticed Nathan's arrival but went back to what they were doing.

Nathan smiled and walked over and rested on his elbows. A brunette girl from behind walked over to him.

"Do you mind?" She asked gesturing at his elbows on the bar. "I just cleaned that."

"Oh." Nathan said standing straight up. "Sorry."

"No problem." The girl laughed. "The bar is closed for another three hours. You know that right?"

Nathan laughed with a nod. "Yeah. Actually I was hoping you could help me find someone." Nathan handed the girl a piece of paper with Nicole's name on it. The girl read over the paper and raised an eyebrow. "One sec." She said holding up one finger. Spinning around towards the back of the bar where there was a small kitchen she looked around. "Lexii?"

"I'm about to start mopping, what do you need, Ash?" Lexii called from back in the kitchen.

"There's someone here to see you!" Ashton turned back to Nathan. "She'll be right out."

From behind a door way Lexii popped her head out. Taking notice to Nathan she smiled. "You stalking me?" She asked with a laugh walking over to Nathan.

"There must be a mistake." Nathan sighed. "I'm looking for Nicole Nash, remember."

Ashton laughed and raised an eyebrow at Lexii. "Are you stupid or something?"

Lexii's eyes widened and with a laugh she playfully smack Ashton's arm. "Shut it." She turned her attention back to Nathan. "You found her."

Nathan raised an eyebrow. "Where is she?"

Ashton laughed. Lexii rolled her eyes. "I'm her." She smiled. "I'm Nicole Nash."

"What?" Nathan asked genuinely confused. "I thought your name was Lexii."

"My middle name is Alexis." Lexii smiled. "I go by Lexii."