Promised (The Promised Series)

parents would say if I got a divorce?” She asks shocked.
    “Probably the same thing mine are going to say about me walking out on my wedding to Shay. But you can do it. You deserve someone who truly cherishes you. Not someone like Aidan who’ll take your love and stomp on it.” I grip her hand tighter. “Promise me you’ll find that for yourself, Marley, or I’m not getting out of this car.”
    Tears spill down her cheeks and she whispers. “I don’t know if I can.”
    I pull the blue handkerchief out of the top of my dress (my something blue) and wipe at her tears. “You can and you will. And if you need support, I’ll be there for you. Now promise me.”
    “I promise.” She whispers.
    I hand her the handkerchief and pull her into a quick hug. Letting her go I say. “Now, I better get my butt out on that field before they finish graduation without me.”
    “Knock their socks off!” She calls as I take off.

Chapter 29 – Linc
    ~After Everything~
    The graduation speaker just finished his speech and I barely managed to keep my eyes open. The principal is back at the podium and I’m not even paying attention to what he’s saying. All I want to do is get that little piece of paper, take some pictures with Mom and Dad, and get my ass on the road. I need to get away from this town and the memories it holds.
    When Wyn left me shattered in pieces again, I decided I needed to get away. So I planned a road trip. Well, not really planned so much as got a map, packed my bags and told my parents I’d be spending my summer wasting my savings on gas. They aren’t thrilled, but they understand my need to get away so they aren’t arguing with me.
    Gasps and murmurs spread through the crowd, bringing me out of my thoughts. I swing my head around in the direction everyone is looking and my breath rushes out of me so fast, it feels like I’ve been punched in the gut.
    Wyn!
    Wyn strolling down the aisle, decked out in her white wedding dress, looking like an avenging goddess from Greek mythology. Her eyes are locked on the podium, mine are locked on her. She ascends the steps of the stage and walks right up to the principal who is staring at her in shock. He gathers himself and you can hear him clear his throat before he introduces her. “We didn’t think she’d make it here today to give her speech, but as you can see, she did. Here is our valedictorian, Arwyn Scott.” He’s clapping his hands with the rest of the crowd as he takes his seat.
    Wyn steps up to the mic, takes a deep breath, and releases it. Then she looks out at the crowd. When her eyes find me, she smiles. I smile in return because I know she didn’t go through with the wedding. She’s here; she did choose me after all.
    She looks away from me so she can address the crowd. “I’m sorry I don’t have on my cap and gown like the rest of my fellow students, but until about 30 minutes ago, I didn’t think I could be here. As most of you already know, I’m a gypsy. And today, I was supposed to get married to a man my parents chose for me.” She looks back and talks directly to me. “But I couldn’t go through with it because I’ve already given my heart to you, Linc.”
    She takes a deep breath and wipes away a tear that spills out of her eye and then focuses on the crowd again. “So, I’m here and I’m supposed to give you all a speech that’ll inspire you to go out into the world and make your mark. But seeing as I only gathered the courage to be here a little bit ago, I don’t have that all inspiring speech prepared for you. But what I can tell you is what I’ve learned this year. Maybe you’ll be able to take it and it’ll help you, and maybe it won’t. But what Linc taught me this year was to follow my heart. I know it may sound cheesy and it’s better suited for a Harlequin novel than a graduation speech, but it’s the truth. At least for me because I followed mine and I fell in love. And because of that love, I found the courage to be here with you today. I’m facing one of my greatest fears, turning my back on everything I’ve ever known so I can finally be me and be happy. So good luck, Class of 2012. I hope you follow your hearts and find the same level of happiness that doing so has brought me.”
    She walks away from the podium to a loud burst of applause. I leave my seat and run to meet her in the aisle, lifting her, and swinging her around. I sit her back on her feet and pull her into my arms. “You chose