Promised

by michelle turner

  “How reliable is this source?” I ask.

  “Adam told me he heard it straight from Shay’s mouth himself.”

  I let myself fall face first into the bed and grumble against the comforter. “Oh, poop!”

  “How can you not want this?” Dani asks as she absentmindedly strokes her pregnant belly.

  “I’m not ready.” I grumble against the comforter some more.

  “It’ll be fine.” She promises.

  “Do you know how soon he’s planning his acquisition of me?” I sit up and snap.

  “If Adam understood correctly, then it’ll be happening soon.” Dani tells me.

  “Poop! Daddy promised me he’d let me finish school.” I complain. I thought I had my dad wrapped around my pinky about this. I thought he understood I wanted to finish school before I took this step. But if he entertains Shay’s interest, graduation could be thrown out the window. It’s not that Shay’s a bad guy. Like Dani with Adam, I’ve known him my whole life, but I don’t see him like that. He’s more like my sixth brother than my future husband. I don’t know what the Hades has gotten into him if he’s thinking about doing this.

  “I better get home.” I stand up and grumble.

  “Ok, but you could stay a little while longer.” She suggests.

  “Nah, I need to get home and make some sprinkle cupcakes ASAP.” I give her a hug and head out of the trailer.

  As I’m walking out of the trailer, I walk smack dab into my brother.

  “Easy there, Winnie.” He says, grabbing my shoulders to steady me. Out of all of my siblings, I’m closest to Adam and he’s the only one on this planet that I allow to call me Winnie.

  “Hey, Addie.” Just like his nickname for me, I’m the only one allowed to call him Addie.

  “Leaving so soon?” He asks.

  “Yeah, I’m going to go make sprinkle cupcakes.” I tell him, knowing he understands the meaning of sprinkle cupcakes.

  “What’s wrong?” He asks as he releases me. I’m about to answer when I notice we’re not alone. A few feet behind him stands the reason I’m upset. Shay Dawson has his hands shoved in his pockets and is watching the exchange between my brother and me closely.

  “We’ll talk about it later.” I tell Adam while I glare at Shay. I’ve decided he’s on my list and he should know that’s not a good place to be. If he thinks I’m going to roll over and take this betrayal easily, he’s sadly mistaken.

  “I see Dani has been sharing.” Adam says, noting my glare.

  “I have no clue what you’re referring to.” I try to play innocent, turning my attention back to my brother.

  “It’s good to see you, Wyn.” Shay finally speaks up. He has taken one of his hands out of his pockets and is using it to smooth down his honey blonde hair.

  “Don’t even try it, Shay Dawson.” I snap my attention back to him.

  “Come on, Wyn. Don’t be this way.” He pleads.

  “You…you… Ugh! I’m leaving.” I throw up my hands and stomp off without saying goodbye.

  Chapter 3 – Linc

  ~Your Future~

  I’m sitting outside the counselor’s office trying desperately not to think about Wyn. I haven’t even spoken to her and she’s the only thing I can think about. At lunch time yesterday, I didn’t see her in the cafeteria so I went looking for her. I found her sitting in the library reading another textbook and eating a sandwich. I was going to go over and talk to her, but the school librarian caught her attention and I lost the little bit of nerve I had worked up.

  “Linc, you can come in now.” Mrs. Mandevers, the school counselor, tells me. She’s standing in the doorway of her office and she moves out of the way to let me pass. As I take the seat across from her desk, I see Wyn walk in and take a seat in the little waiting area.

  “Wyn, thanks for coming down. I’ll be with you in a few minutes.” Mrs. Mandevers tells her and then crosses to her desk leaving the door wide open so I have a full view of my dream girl. I’ll never be able to concentrate with her in such close proximity to me. I hope this isn’t an important meeting.

  “I know your new here this year and I thought we should discuss your future.” Mrs. Mandevers informs me while she shuffles papers around in the file in front of her.

  “Mmhmm.” Is all I’m able to reply because Wyn’s legs have caught my attention. She’s sitting with them crossed and is bouncing her foot. Today, she’s wearing an oversized green sweater dress that falls off her left shoulder, a pair of grey leather leggings that cling to her perfect legs and a pair of green ballet flats that keeps slipping off her heel as she bounces her foot.

  “So Linc, what do you plan on doing with yourself after graduation?” Mrs. Mandevers asks.

  I know the answer to this. I’ve already decided to enlist after graduation, but because I’m so mesmerized by Wyn’s legs, I answer with. “I don’t know yet.”

  “Well with your grades, I’d suggest college. If you added a few extracurricular activities or community service, you would have a good chance at some scholarships.” Mrs. Mandevers jumps all over helping me figure out my life goals.

  “Sounds good.” I answer, still not focusing on the conversation.

  “Great. Here, take these.” She hands me a stack of applications and I look at them confused.

  “Wyn, could you please join us in here.” Mrs. Mandevers calls. I watch as Wyn gets up and comes into the room to take the seat beside me.

  “What’s going on?” I ask, truly confused and nervous now. I should have paid attention.

  “Lincoln Tatman, this is Arwyn Scott.” Mrs. Mandevers introduces us.

  I look over at my dream girl, who seems to be just as nervous as me, and stick out my hand. “Hi, call me Linc.”

  She looks at my hand for a moment and then tentatively places hers in mine and shakes it. “Call me Wyn, please.”

  This close, I can see her eyes are a bright green and they are framed in the thickest, longest black lashes I’ve ever seen. And somehow, I know they are not the fake kind girls buy. They are all Wyn.

  I smile at her and nod my head. I don’t want to, but I release her hand and turn my attention back to our counselor.

  “Wyn is very active in a local charity and helps out with tutoring here at school. I think she might be able to help you get involved in one or both of those. So you’ll have that to put on your college applications. Is that ok with both of you?” She looks between the two of us. I nod my head and I’m guessing Wyn nods hers because Mrs. Mandevers smiles at us both and continues. “This is great. If you need any help filling those applications out, come see me anytime. Linc, let me talk to Wyn alone for a few minutes. Then she can come out and you two can work out your schedules.”

  I stand up and walk out, closing the door as I do because I can tell they need privacy. I sit back down in the waiting area. My legs are bouncing up and down because I’m so nervous. I’m getting a chance to spend time with my dream girl, but now I’m worried I’m going to mess it up. I’ve never in my seventeen years been nervous around the fairer sex, but one brown haired, green eyed girl has me quivering like jello. And she’s only said four words to me.

  To pass the time, I look over some of the posters hanging on the walls. All of them are meant to inspire and encourage, but in reality, they come across as cheesy. When the posters don’t keep my attention long enough, I pull out my cell to check my email. There’s a new one from Dad and I open it.

  From: Andrew Tatman

  To: Linc Tatman

  Subject: Missing You

  Hey kiddo-

  Mom told me you got all A’s and B’s the first nine weeks and I can’t be prouder. I hear your cousin is being a pain, but try to ignore him. He’ll grow up eventually and when he does, he’ll regret the way he’s acting. Don’t let his childish behavior push a wedge between that special relationship you two have had since you were kids.

  Mom also said you brought up a girl the other day. If she’s caught my boy’s eye,
she must be something special. You’re like your old man in that sense, not just any girl can turn a Tatman’s head. It has to be the really wonderful ones like your Mom. I want to hear all about her.

  I hope you’re taking good care of the Challenger. Make sure you check her oil regularly and don’t be racing her. I know how tempting it can be at your age to want to show off, but it’s dangerous. So don’t!

  I should be back home in time to watch you graduate. So get prepared to spend some quality time with me. I’m missing our weekends on the lake.

  Well, I better get off here. Don’t forget, if you need any advice on this new girl, to shoot me a line. I’m sure I can come up with something good to tell you.

  Like always, take good care of your mom and I’ll write as soon as I can. I miss you both like crazy.

  Love,

  Dad

  A single tear slips down my cheek just as the door to Mrs. Mandevers office opens and out steps her and Wyn. I quickly wipe it away and shove my phone back in my pocket. I miss Dad terribly and as soon as I get home, I’m going to reply. But right now, I need to focus on the girl in front of me.

  Mrs. Mandevers looks me over to make sure I’m okay, apparently having caught the tear. Then deciding I’m fine, looks at Wyn. “Please think over what we discussed.”

  “I will, but you know I can’t promise anything.” I can hear the disappointment in her voice. Whatever it is they talked about, she wants to do it. But for some reason, she can’t.

  “Good. Now you two exchange information and let me know if you need me. I’m going to get back to work. Have a nice day.” She smiles at us both, then walks back into her office and shuts the door.

  I stand up and rub the back of my neck. “So, where do we begin?”

  “I guess we should exchange numbers.” She says, looking everywhere but at me.

  “Sounds good.” I pull my cell back out of my pocket and hold it out to her. “Here’s mine; program your number in and I’ll put mine in yours.”

  “Um, ok.” She pulls her phone out of her book bag and hands it to me. I quickly type in my phone number and save it.

  “So, when should we get started on this?” I ask, exchanging our phones back.

  “Well, I do tutoring after school on Wednesdays and I volunteer at an after school program for kids on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It’s up to you which one you’d like to join.” She tells me, putting her cell back in her bag.

  “Well, I’d love to come and help today, but I have to go home and help my mom. Is tomorrow okay? And maybe next week I can come to the tutoring too.” I tell her.

  “That’s fine. Tutoring was cancelled today anyway.” She pulls out a tablet of paper and a pen, then scribbles down an address and hands it to me. “Meet me at this address after school tomorrow.”

  “I could give you a ride there tomorrow if you want.” I tell her, taking my wallet out and putting the piece of paper in it.

  “That’s a nice offer, but I can’t. I’ll meet you there.” She says, putting the paper and pen away.

  “Well, do you need a ride home today? I really don’t mind.”

  “My brothers should be here by now. So no thanks.” She says, pulling the strap of her bag onto her shoulder and walking towards the exit.

  “Well, at least let me walk you out. I’m going the same way.” I say, following after her.

  She stops, looks me over and sighs. “Linc, it’s nothing against you, but I’d prefer you didn’t. It will cause me and you all kinds of problems if they see us together.”

  “Wyn, your brothers don’t scare me.”

  “That’s good because they aren’t bad guys. They just have their ways and I don’t want you drug into what those ways entail. I promise I’ll meet you tomorrow, but please, for me, stay here until I’m out those doors.” She pleads with me.

  As much as I want to argue with her, I can’t. Once she draws me into those green eyes and pleads with me in that silky, smooth voice to do something for her, I don’t have any way of telling her no.

  “Fine, but do you mind if I text you later if I have questions about tomorrow?” I ask, knowing quite well that the texts I’ll be sending won’t have any questions about volunteering.

  “That’s fine, I guess.” She gives in. “Bye, Linc. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Bye, Wyn. I’m looking forward to it.” I give her my smile that more than one girl has referred to as drop you to your knees gorgeous.

  She returns my smile and I must say, it’s ten times more potent than mine.

  Chapter 4 – Wyn

  ~You Made My Night~

  I step out the front doors of the school and just like I told Linc, my brothers are sitting right out front waiting on me. I’ve tried to explain to them that I don’t need them all to pick me up, but they like to make a big show. So I don’t push it.

  Adam is with them this time and he hops out of the back passenger side door so I can slide in. Then he gets back in.

  “So, how was jail today, Wyn?” Aidan, my oldest brother, asks. Out of all my siblings, he’s the one that’s been the most vocal about not liking my decision to stay in school and graduate. So every day, he asks me the same question. I don’t know if he thinks referring to it as jail will turn me off of my studies. But so far, it hasn’t worked. Unlike them, I have always loved going to school and what I’ve learned from being there.

  “It was fabulous, Aidan. I learned how to shank a man and hide the weapon before the guards show up.”

  Adam tries to cover his laugh from beside me, but of course he doesn’t succeed. He’s the only one in my family that gets my sense of humor. I see the proof of that when Aidan glares at me in the mirror from the driver’s seat and my other three brothers stare at me like their shocked I could make such a statement.

  “Would you like me to teach you later boys?” They just keep staring at me and Adam keeps laughing. “Fine, but it’s your loss. It’s a pretty handy skill to have.”

  “If Dad only knew the kind of crap you’re picking up from being around those Gorgers.” Aidan says as he shakes his head.

  “Yeah, and if Dad only knew you cheat on your wife.”

  “Dad doesn’t care if I step out on Marley.” I can see through the mirror that he rolls his eyes.

  “No, but he will care that your choice of mistress is a Gorger, who you happened to knock up.” I fire back. Aidan’s wife, Marley, is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet and the simple fact that she puts up with him should be enough to get her sainthood. I have no clue how she doesn’t know what he’s doing behind her back. Heck, everyone but her and my parents do. But somehow, the jerk wad has kept it from them.

  “You little…” Aidan starts.

  “So what do you think Dad will say about your Gorger kid? Or better yet, what do you think your wife will think?” Now don’t get me wrong, I see nothing wrong with a gypsy being with a non-gypsy, but the way Aidan is going about it is one hundred percent wrong.

  “I’m going to slap that smug look off your smug little face.” Aidan slams on his breaks and turns in his seat to follow through on his threat.

  “You touch her, Aidan, and I’ll tell Dad myself about your bastard baby and its whore mother. And that’ll be after I make you regret ever laying a hand on her.” Adam warns him in his no nonsense voice. Aidan may be the oldest and the leader of the other three idiot brothers of mine, but Adam is badass and they all know it. He’s the tallest and most built of all five boys and he knows how to use all of that to his advantage. The other four know not to mess with Adam, especially when he’s using that no nonsense voice.

  “You can’t always protect her Adam. You won’t always be around.” Aidan threatens.

  “I may not always be around, but I swear if I find out you’ve ever laid one finger on her, I will beat you beyond recognition. And you can take that to the bank, brother.” Adam glares at our oldest sibling who finally realizes his best option is to turn around, so he does just that and drive
s us the rest of the way home.

  Once we’re safely back on our way, Adam reaches for my hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze. I turn to him and mouth. “Thanks.”

  He mouths back. “Anytime.” And winks at me before releasing my hand.

  My brothers drop me off in the driveway and I grab the mail out of the mail box like I do every day and take it to the kitchen counter. Dad is sitting at the island in the kitchen when I walk in.

  “How was my angel’s day?” He asks, taking a swig from his beer bottle.

  “Good. I had to stop in the counselor’s office after my last class. There’s a new kid at school this year and she asked if I’d show them the ropes of tutoring and the kids’ program.” I tell him after going and placing a kiss to his cheek. I leave out the part that the new student is a boy because I know Dad would flip his lid about me spending time with a Gorger boy.