Promised (The Promised Series)

ended it with him.”
    Shay circles his arms around my middle, pulling my back against his chest and putting his face close to my ear. “You made the right choice.” I’m not going to correct him and tell him the choice hasn’t been made yet.
    Instead, I turn in his arms so I’m facing him. “I want to take things slow. Can you give me that?”
    “How slow?” He asks suspiciously. I can’t blame him. He did catch me with another guy when I’m wearing his ring.
    “Not the wedding plans. I mean us. We need to get to know each other.”
    “We’ve known each other since we were kids.” He chuckles.
    “I know, but we don’t know each other as a couple. That’s what I want to take slow.” I explain.
    “Do you think I’d force myself on you? Is that what this is about?” He asks, truly surprised.
    “Well, you did exactly that yesterday.” I remind him, attempting to push out of his arms.
    My attempts fail because he pulls me into a hug, laying his head on the top of mine. “I’m sorry about yesterday. You know I don’t normally act like that, but finding you how I did, pushed me over an edge.”
    “And I’m sorry about that, but you can’t do that again if this is going to work. I need time to get use to us.” I whisper against his chest. I don’t hate Shay, but having his arms around me doesn’t feel right. He’s not Linc, but I’m determined to give Shay a chance.
    “Then I’ll give you time, but it’s not going to be time alone.” Shay says, then kisses the top of my head before releasing me.
    I hear my cell phone go off, letting me know I have a new text message. The ring tone lets me know it’s from Linc. I decide for tonight, I need to ignore it. I need to talk to him, but I can’t do that and give Shay my full attention. And tonight, I’ve promised myself to make Shay first.

Chapter 17 – Linc
    ~Make This One Count~
    “There’s a party tonight.” Nate is sitting beside me on the living room couch. I’m staring at the TV, but I don’t know what’s on. I can’t wrap my head around anything, even if it’s only a mindless reality show. It’s been two weeks and one day since the blow-up in the library. Two weeks and one day since I’ve had alone time with Wyn. The suspension was over a week ago yesterday, and the grounding my mom handed down is finished today, but I don’t care. I’m still numb to everything, well everything except Wyn. The memory of her still sends pain and pleasure shooting through my soul. It might always be like this (very likely), or I might be over it next week (highly doubtful). I don’t know, but it’s gotten worse.
    The day after the fight, she finally texted me back letting me know she needed a break, time to find out what she really wanted. I want her to choose me, but I don’t want her to doubt that five, ten, twenty years from now. So I’ve agreed to give her the time she needs, but it’s killing me because I know it’s time I’m giving her with him .
    Fuck! I don’t know the guy, but I hate him all the same.
    “Earth to Linc. Do you want to go or not?” Nate asks, calling me out of my thoughts.
    “No.” I don’t look at him as I answer.
    “Damn, Cuz, you need to get out of this house.” He grumbles, leaning forward to pick up the remote and shutting off the TV.
    “I was watching that.”
    “The fuck you were. You have as much interest in some bored housewives as I do in Math class. And you know I fucking hate that shit.”
    “What do you want, Nate?” I ask, standing up and walking towards the kitchen to grab a soda.
    “For you to get the fuck over this girl and stop moping around like a little pussy.” He rumbles as he follows me.
    I stop in my tracks and turn slowly to glare at him.
    “I see that’s going to be a long term goal. So tonight, I’ll settle for you coming to the party with me.” He moves around me and takes a seat at the kitchen table, completely ignoring my death glare.
    I continue to the fridge, grab a can and pop the top, taking a large gulp before I set it down on the island. “Not happening.”
    “It’s been two weeks. It’s time to get out of this house and show that girl you’re moving on too. We all know she is. We see that guy in the silver Dodge who picks her up every day.” Yeah, I’d seen that too, but I’m giving her space. Maybe I should take this time and space and check out my options too.
    “Fine, I’ll go.”
    “Oh, hell yeah!” Nate says as he jumps up. “Those