Promised (The Promised Series)

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 drives 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.
    “I’ll never understand how you can be around those Gorgers all the time.” He grumbles.
    “Daddy, we’ve discussed this. It’s not about me being around them. I like going to school and learning and I like helping people, especially those little kids.” I remind him, taking the bar stool beside him.
    “You’re like your Nana Scott. She couldn’t resist helping a person in need.” He tells me the same thing every time we have this talk.
    “If I ask you something, will you tell me the truth?” I change the subject.
    “Arwyn Elizabeth, when have I ever not told you the truth?”
    “I’m sorry Daddy. I didn’t mean it that way.” I apologize, looking down at the counter.
    “What’s your question, Arwyn?” He asks.
    “Has Shay Dawson approached you for my hand?” I turn on my stool to look him in the eyes.
    “He has.” He tells me with a smile. To him, this is a good thing. He’s never understood that I don’t want that life. That I don’t want to marry someone just because they’ve asked for my father’s permission without even trying to win my heart.
    “Daddy, I don’t love him.”
    “Arwyn, he’s a good boy and he’ll make you a good husband.”
    “You’ll learn to love him.” My mom says as she walks into the kitchen and places her hand on my father’s shoulder.
    “Have you already accepted his proposal?” I ask, looking between the two of them.
    “Not yet, but Wyn, I have every intention of agreeing to this.” He tells me.
    “Please don’t.” I beg.
    “It’s happening, but don’t worry. I’ll let you graduate school. I gave you my word and you know I always make good on it.” Dad reaches out and grabs my hand.
    “And if I refuse?” I ask.
    Dad drops my hand and looks to Mom before responding. “Don’t joke about something like that, Arwyn.”
    “I’m not joking, Daddy. What will happen to me if I refuse to marry Shay?” I straighten my back and look him in the eye when I ask him again.
    “We’d disown you. You’d be kicked out of the family and that means no contact with any of us. Not even Dani or Adam.” I know he doesn’t want to do that and I don’t want him to, but it’s the way he was raised.
    I can’t respond; I’m too upset so I nod my head so he knows that I understand. Then I get up from the stool and head to my room. Like always, when I’m upset with this life, I lose myself in my homework. I realized at an early age that even if I can’t control everything else around me, I can control my grades. So I shove my nose in a textbook and focus on getting the best grades I can.
    It’s started to get dark outside my window and I’m just finishing off my English assignment when my cell goes off, signaling I have a text. I grab it off the dresser. It’s the new guy, Linc. In the uproar, I’d almost forgotten about him asking to text me and I mean almost. Linc is a hard one to forget about. That boy is flat out gorgeous. He’d give those guys from Magic Mike a run for their money. His dark brown hair is cut close to his head like a soldier and he has these golden brown eyes that suck you in. And his body…wowsa! That boy is cut! He’s bigger than Adam and that’s saying something.
    I look at the text.
    Linc: what r u up 2?
    I send back a quick response.
    Wyn: English paper. U?
    I get an instant response.
    Linc: Baking with my mom. I