Promised (The Promised Series)

finished my English paper yesterday. :-P
    Wyn: I’m just finishing up mine. What r u baking?
    What am I doing? I know I shouldn’t be encouraging him. I’m supposed to keep all the outsiders at arm’s length. Yet, here I am, texting with one of them. The hottest one of them, I should add. And it was only a few hours ago that I found out I’m being promised to Shay. Would texting Linc be considered cheating? Am I a dirty cheater?
    My phone signals a new message so I go back to texting Linc and let my worry fall to the back of my mind for the night.
    Linc: Cupcakes. It’s 1 of my mom’s friend’s b-day 2morrow.
    Wyn: Cupcakes r my fav. I luv the sprinkle kind. It’s nice of u 2 help.
    Linc: Do u want 1? I could bring it 2 school 2morrow.
    Wyn: No that’s ok. But thx 4 offering.
    Linc: Anytime. So can I confess something?
    Wyn: Is it embarrassing? Bc if it is I should confess 1 st that I have a big mouth. Jk
    Linc: lol no not embarrassing.
    Wyn: then shoot. :-)
    Linc: I’ve been trying to find a way 2 talk 2 u 4 a couple days.
    Well, poop. What do I do with that? Now would be the perfect time for me to push him away so he doesn’t get hurt. But for some reason, I can’t. Instead, I nibble on my lip as I send back my reply.
    Wyn: U have?
    Linc: Yes. Is that ok?
    Is it ok that the hottest guy in school wants to talk to me? Umm, yes!
    Wyn: Yes. Can I confess something?
    Linc: Is it embarrassing? Lol
    Wyn: No lol
    Linc: Then ur turn 2 shoot.
    Wyn: I’m glad Mrs. Mandevers asked me 2 help u.
    Linc: Me 2.
    Linc: Will u plz let me drive u to the kids program 2morrow?
    I so want to say yes, but if I blow off my brothers giving me a ride, they’ll be furious and come looking for me. And if they find me with Linc, we’d both be in trouble. Him more than me.
    Wyn: I wish I could but my brothers. Sorry. :-(
    Linc: I’m not afraid of them Wyn. Is there any1 who could cover for u with them?
    Hmm, I could ask Dani. I covered for her a bunch before she got married so she owes me. I send her a quick text asking her to cover for me. She responds quickly agreeing to, but says I have to clue her in when she does actually pick me up after I’m done volunteering.
    I send her a text thanking her and then respond to Linc.
    Wyn: Ok I’m in.
    Linc: 4 real?
    Wyn: Yes
    Linc: Now I am bringing u a sprinkle cupcake.
    Wyn: Y? lol
    Linc: Bc u made my night.
    Wyn: Ur goofy.
    Linc: Not goofy. Honest.
    Wyn: U can be both.
    Linc: Ok but u make me goofy.
    Wyn: I’ll take the credit. I should get off here and finish the last of my paper.
    Linc: Alright. :-(
    Wyn: Night Linc
    Wyn: Night Wyn
    I look back through the texts again just to see if they’re real before I finally set it back on my night stand and return to finishing the last of my English paper. I have a smile on my face for the rest of the night.

Chapter 5 – Linc
    ~That’s Not How It Works In My World~
    I haven’t seen Wyn all day. I looked for her in the library at lunch, but she wasn’t there. Now I’m standing in the parking lot against my car, hoping she doesn’t stand me up. Stand me up? This isn’t a freaking date. I’m only giving her a ride, but damn if I don’t feel like I’m being stood up.
    The last student car pulls out of the lot and I let out a sigh. She did stand me up. I pound my fist on the top of the car, then turn and roughly jerk the driver’s side door of the Challenger open.
    “Hey, now! She’s too beautiful to be treated that way.” Wyn calls from behind me.
    I smile to myself. Then schooling my features, I spin around. “She is beautiful, but don’t let that fool you. She can be brutal.”
    “Aren’t all the beautiful ones?” She asks on a smile.
    “Yes. Yes, they are.” I smile back at her. “I didn’t think you were here today. I looked for you at lunch.”
    “Oh, I don’t normally eat lunch in the cafeteria.” She admits, staring at her feet.
    “I know. I went to the library, but you weren’t there.” I confess, watching closely for her reaction.
    “How did you know that’s where I go?” Her head snaps up.
    “I may have come looking for you the other day.” I admit honestly.
    She looks back down at her shoes, but that doesn’t hide the crimson that’s now shading her cheeks.
    “We should probably get on the road. The other volunteers are going to be wondering where I am.” She changes the subject.
    “Ok.” I walk around to the passenger side and hold the door open. “Your chariot awaits, my lady.”
    She