Promised (The Promised Series)

warns.
    “No!” I growl. “If I’m old enough to be married off, against my wishes I might add, then I’m definitely old enough to decide what kind of dress I want.”
    The color drains from her face and she whispers. “You love Shay.”
    “No, you love Shay. I tolerate Shay because you and Dad have given me no other choice.” I say as I throw my hands up in frustration, knocking the tiara off my head.
    “We…we’re… Fine! It’s your dress; do what you want with it.” She throws her own hands in the air, turns on her heels, and storms out of the room. Of course she doesn’t address the fact that they’re forcing me into marriage.
    The triplets shuffle after her, Dani and Marley stand there in shock, and Mrs. Dallas being used to her clients throwing fits, doesn’t miss a beat.
    “Alright, gorgeous, tell me what you’re really wanting.” She picks the tiara up off the floor and sets it back on the mannequin.
    “I’m sorry.” I say, embarrassed by my outburst. “It’s a pretty dress; it’s just not me.”
    “I see that now.” She gives me a genuine smile. “Come on, let’s get you out of this one so you can tell me how you picture your dream dress.”

Chapter 21 – Linc
    ~Surprises Can Be Fun~
    I want to wait for Wyn outside, but I can’t do that. So I thought I’d wait at her locker, but then I realized there’d be too many prying eyes. It’s hard keeping us a secret. I want to stake my claim, let everyone know she’s mine. But the truth is, she’s not only mine. I’m sharing her with the jackass who’s put his ring on her finger. And if we’re going to continue to see each other, we have to keep it a secret.
    I shove my books and bag in my locker, like I wish I could do with the thoughts running around my head. I hate the jealousy that’s consuming me today. Well, not only today. It’s always there in the back of my mind, waiting to get out and consume me with doubt. Usually, I’m able to hold it back. But today of all days, it’s driving me mad. Valentine’s Day! Who the hell thought up this holiday anyway?
    Okay, so maybe I’m in a bad mood. I can’t help it though; I want to be able to take Wyn out tonight like a normal couple. A nice dinner, flowers, chocolates, a kiss on her door step, but I can’t. She has plans with him.
    I can’t even give her flowers today because she’d have to explain to him and her parents where they came from. I hate him and I’m really starting to hate her parents too. I shouldn’t be like this; it’s awful of me to hate people I don’t really know, but still, I can’t stop myself. He’s trying to steal the girl that belongs with me and they’re his accomplices.
    “I see steam.” Nate says as he walks up beside me.
    “What?” I ask, closing the door of my locker and securing the lock.
    “You’re thinking too hard. It’s causing steam to come out of your ears.” He’s watching me closely. He leans his back against the locker and crosses his arms over his chest, giving him a good view of the cheerleaders whose lockers are right across the hall from mine. Will he ever change? Probably not, but at least he doesn’t have to hide his relationships like I do.
    When I don’t respond to his comment, he sighs and says. “Maybe I shouldn’t tell you this.”
    “Tell me what?” I ask worried.
    “It’s not in your best interest, after all.” He keeps mumbling, more to himself than to me.
    “Nate.” I growl in frustration.
    “Fine, but I’m not picking up the damn pieces of you afterwards.” He says, pushing off from the locker to get closer so no one but me will hear. “Arwyn Scott asked me to tell you that she’s waiting for you in the Challenger.”
    I don’t even wait to see if there’s more to the message. As soon as I hear Wyn’s name and where she is, I turn and run down the hall and out the front door. Full force, until I’m at the front of the Challenger, staring at Wyn sitting in the driver’s seat. I take a moment to catch my breath and then I climb into the passenger seat.
    “What’s going on?”
    “Feel like skipping today?” She asks with a grin.
    I want to shout “hell yes”, but that would come across way to eager. So, trying to play cool, I ask. “What do you have in mind?”
    “It’s a surprise.” Her eyes are twinkling, not with mischief though, with hope. It takes my breath away with how much that look warms my heart and fills me with my own hope. The jealousy of earlier is stomped