Promised (The Promised Series)

chicks are going to be dropping their panties at the sight of both of us being there. You’re guaranteed to get fucked tonight.”
    Shaking my head, I ask. “Why do I hang out with you?”
    “Because you know there isn’t anyone as cool as me in this town.” He says, coming over to me and throwing his arm around my shoulder.
    “Replace cool with stupid and that might be an accurate statement.” I elbow him in the side to get him to remove his arm.
    “You know you love me.” He says, rubbing his side where my elbow connected.
    “Only because Mom makes me and I kind of feel bad that no girl ever will.” I tease.
    “I’ve had plenty of girls love me.” He grins, wiggling his eyebrows.
    “Lust and love are two different things, Cuz. And I pray that someday, you’re lucky enough to know the difference between the two.” I bring my can of soda back up to my lips, preparing to take another gulp, but pull it back and add. “I also pray that you’re not riddled with STD’s when that day comes around.”
    “I only go the distance with the classy chicks.” Nate throws out in his defense.
    I give up on taking another drink and set my can back on the island as I turn to my cousin to explain something to him. “Nate, if they were classy chicks, their asses wouldn’t be hanging out of their short ass skirts and you definitely wouldn’t be getting lucky at some trashy ass party in some stranger’s bedroom.”
    “You say trashy, I say classy. We’ll have to agree to disagree on this one. You know not everyone can score with a sweet piece like Arwyn Scott.”
    I slam him up against the fridge, my arm at his throat. “Don’t ever talk about her that way.”
    “Fuck, back up.” He says, trying to push me back.
    “Nate.” I warn on a growl.
    “Fine. She’s off limits.” He agrees so I back up, releasing my hold on him. His hands shoot to his neck and rub at his throat.
    I pick up my pop and throw the almost full can in the trash and say. “I need something stronger.”
    “Then let’s go do this damn thing.” Nate smiles, already forgetting about the scene moments before.
    **********************************
    I take another swig from the bottle of Jack I’ve been drinking by myself since we arrived at this party. I thought it would only take a couple drinks to get her out of my head for the night, but this bottle is almost empty and she’s still there. It’s like she’s been burned permanently on my brain so I’ll never be able to forget her. Maybe a second bottle of Jack will help. I take a gulp, downing the remainder of the bottle in my hand and then throw it toward the trash can in the corner of the kitchen. It misses and smashes against the wall.
    I stand up and grab another bottle off the counter where all the alcohol is set out.
    “Cuz, maybe you should slow down.” Nate’s leaning against the island with his arm around some red head. She looks vaguely familiar. I think she’s one of the cheerleaders for the football team. But seeing as I’ve paid little attention to any of the girls at our school other than Wyn, I can’t be sure.
    I twist the cap off the new bottle and fling it towards the shattered remains of the first bottle. “Maybe you should worry about your fucking self.” I tell him and then take a swig.
    “At least give me your keys. I don’t want to worry about you trying to drive like this.” Nate holds his hand out, expecting me to give my keys over without a fight. He should know me better than that.
    “So you can use my car as your love shack for the night.” I eye the red head, her face flushes at my words and she turns her face into Nate’s shoulder to hide her embarrassment. “Fuck that!”
    “Dammit, Linc! You’re leaving me little choice here.” Nate warns.
    “What the hell is that suppose to mean?” I ask, leaning my back against the counter opposite of the island and taking another drink.
    “You’ll see.” He says, pulling out his cell phone and sending a text.
    “Well, aren’t you the cryptic one. Who’d you text? My mom?” I ask, once he puts the cell back in his pocket.
    “Nope. I hate to do this to you, Cuz, but I can’t take the chance you’ll do something stupid in your current state.” Nate says, shaking his head at me and putting his arm back around the red head.
    “Like what? Fucking some girl I don’t care for at some party, knowing I’ll ignore her at school on Monday.” I say, moving my eyes to the red head. I should feel