Promised (2 page)

“Do I get to go with you?” I ask, placing the onesie on the stack in the basket and grabbing another.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. I think Adam is going to take off and go too.” Dani tells me, smiling from ear to ear. All Dani has ever wanted since we were little girls running around my parent’s front yard, was to be a wife and a mother. And she always knew she wanted my brother Adam to be the man in that perfect life. Adam didn’t realize Dani was the “end all, be all” for him until sometime last January. But once he realized it, he didn’t waste any time. He had his ring on her finger and her last name changed by April. They found out in September that they are expecting their first child and they’ve both been over the moon ever since.

“I think he’s more excited to find out the sex than either of us.” I return my friend’s smile.

“He’s so convinced we’re having a boy that he’s already picked out a name; he won’t even discuss girl names.” She says, rolling her eyes.

“So what name has he chosen?” I ask.

“Clayton Allan.” She tells me.

“He’s not giving his child a name that starts with A? Complete blasphemy!” I tease. In my family, everyone’s name begins with an A except for my mother. My father is Allan (Al). Then there are my brothers: Aidan, Aldon, Alec, Aaron, and Adam. Finally, there’s little ole me, Arwyn. So Adam not going with the family tradition of choosing an A name might cause an uproar in our tight knit clan.

“I know.” She sighs. “I warned him what that decision might cause, but you know how these men can be.”

“I’m proud of Adam for not giving into the family on this. Dani, you should be free to choose whatever baby name you want without having to worry about what my family might say.”

“Even so, it’s tradition.” Dani states firmly.

“So have
you
thought about girl names? Since my brother is being a stubborn butt.”

“If we do have a girl, I’d like to name her Alana Arwyn.” She says, watching closely for my reaction.

I, of course, don’t disappoint. I set the onesie down and throw my arms around her, giving her a hug. “You want to name your baby after me!”

“The middle name and only if the baby is a girl.” Dani laughs as she hugs me back.

“Still, you are willing to permanently scar your baby with the same name as her black sheep aunt. I think that’s a big deal.” I pull back and smile at her.

“You are not the black sheep of the family.” Dani scowls at me.

“I’m not married.” I state.

“There are several Romani girls not married yet.” She replies firmly.

“I’m still in school.” I fire off another reason why I’m the black sheep.

“Well...” She can’t come up with a response to that so she sucks in her bottom lip and nibbles on the corner.

“It’s ok Dani; I know that I’m the black sheep of the family. And you know, I’m exactly where I want to be. I asked Daddy to let me graduate.” I try to ease her discomfort.

“I never understood that. But if that’s what you want, I’m glad he’s letting you.” She tells me as she releases her lip.

“I wish everyone was as understanding.” I whisper to myself.

“I’ve got some news that will cheer you up!” Dani declares, putting her arm around me.

“Did you bake me the cupcakes that have sprinkles in the batter?” I ask. She knows I love the sprinkle cupcakes.

“No. But now that you bring them up, I want some. I think this baby is going to like the same foods as his or her Aunt Wyn.” She giggles.

“That’s fitting since she’s going to have my name.” I grin.

“Only if it’s a girl and it’ll be her middle name.” She corrects me again.

“I’m still calling her Lil Wyn.” I inform her.

“You are a complete goof.” She laughs at me.

“So what’s the news that’s better than cupcakes with sprinkles?” I ask, getting us back on topic.

“I never said it was better than cupcakes with sprinkles. I said it would cheer you up.” She reminds me.

“The only thing that cheers me up is cupcakes with sprinkles. So if you say it’ll cheer me up, then it must be better.” I explain my reasoning.

“I’m seriously re-thinking giving my baby your name as her middle name. I don’t know if I want her named after a goof.” Dani kids.

“Oh hush! You know you love me just the way I am.”

“There’s no way I’d have you any other way.” She gives my shoulder a squeeze.

“So what’s this fantabulous news?” I ask, turning to look at her.

“Rumor has it that Shay Dawson is planning on speaking with your Dad about your hand.” She’s so excited by this news that she’s bouncing her butt up and down on the bed.

“My hand seems fine.” I try to play ignorant because I so don’t want this to happen.

“Oh, don’t even try that act with me. You know exactly what I’m talking about.” She chides me.

“How reliable is this source?” I ask.

“Adam told me he heard it straight from Shay’s mouth himself.”

I let myself fall face first into the bed and grumble against the comforter. “Oh, poop!”

“How can you not want this?” Dani asks as she absentmindedly strokes her pregnant belly.

“I’m not ready.” I grumble against the comforter some more.

“It’ll be fine.” She promises.

“Do you know how soon he’s planning his acquisition of me?” I sit up and snap.

“If Adam understood correctly, then it’ll be happening soon.” Dani tells me.

“Poop! Daddy promised me he’d let me finish school.” I complain. I thought I had my dad wrapped around my pinky about this. I thought he understood I wanted to finish school before I took this step. But if he entertains Shay’s interest, graduation could be thrown out the window. It’s not that Shay’s a bad guy. Like Dani with Adam, I’ve known him my whole life, but I don’t see him like that. He’s more like my sixth brother than my future husband. I don’t know what the Hades has gotten into him if he’s thinking about doing this.

“I better get home.” I stand up and grumble.

“Ok, but you could stay a little while longer.” She suggests.

“Nah, I need to get home and make some sprinkle cupcakes ASAP.” I give her a hug and head out of the trailer.

As I’m walking out of the trailer, I walk smack dab into my brother.

“Easy there, Winnie.” He says, grabbing my shoulders to steady me. Out of all of my siblings, I’m closest to Adam and he’s the only one on this planet that I allow to call me Winnie.

“Hey, Addie.” Just like his nickname for me, I’m the only one allowed to call him Addie.

“Leaving so soon?” He asks.

“Yeah, I’m going to go make sprinkle cupcakes.” I tell him, knowing he understands the meaning of sprinkle cupcakes.

“What’s wrong?” He asks as he releases me. I’m about to answer when I notice we’re not alone. A few feet behind him stands the reason I’m upset. Shay Dawson has his hands shoved in his pockets and is watching the exchange between my brother and me closely.

“We’ll talk about it later.” I tell Adam while I glare at Shay. I’ve decided he’s on my list and he should know that’s not a good place to be. If he thinks I’m going to roll over and take this betrayal easily, he’s sadly mistaken.

“I see Dani has been sharing.” Adam says, noting my glare.

“I have no clue what you’re referring to.” I try to play innocent, turning my attention back to my brother.

“It’s good to see you, Wyn.” Shay finally speaks up. He has taken one of his hands out of his pockets and is using it to smooth down his honey blonde hair.

“Don’t even try it, Shay Dawson.” I snap my attention back to him.

“Come on, Wyn. Don’t be this way.” He pleads.

“You…you… Ugh! I’m leaving.” I throw up my hands and stomp off without saying goodbye.

Chapter 3 – Linc

~Your Future~

I’m sitting outside the counselor’s office trying desperately not to think about Wyn. I haven’t even spoken to her and she’s the only thing I can think about. At lunch time yesterday
, I didn’t see her in the cafeteria so I went looking for her. I found her sitting in the library reading another textbook and eating a sandwich. I was going to go over and talk to her, but the school librarian caught her attention and I lost the little bit of nerve I had worked up.

“Linc, you can come in now.” Mrs. Mandevers, the school counselor, tells me. She’s standing in the doorway of her office and she moves out of the way to let me pass. As I take the seat across from her desk, I see Wyn walk in and take a seat in the little waiting area.

“Wyn, thanks for coming down. I’ll be with you in a few minutes.” Mrs. Mandevers tells her and then crosses to her desk leaving the door wide open so I have a full view of my dream girl. I’ll never be able to concentrate with her in such close proximity to me. I hope this isn’t an important meeting.

“I know your new here this year and I thought we should discuss your future.” Mrs. Mandevers informs me while she shuffles papers around in the file in front of her.

“Mmhmm.” Is all I’m able to reply because Wyn’s legs have caught my attention. She’s sitting with them crossed and is bouncing her foot. Today, she’s wearing an oversized green sweater dress that falls off her left shoulder, a pair of grey leather leggings that cling to her perfect legs and a pair of green ballet flats that keeps slipping off her heel as she bounces her foot.

“So Linc, what do you plan on doing with yourself after graduation?” Mrs. Mandevers asks.

I know the answer to this. I’ve already decided to enlist after graduation, but because I’m so mesmerized by Wyn’s legs, I answer with. “I don’t know yet.”

“Well with your grades, I’d suggest college. If you added a few extracurricular activities or community service, you would have a good chance at some scholarships.” Mrs. Mandevers jumps all over helping me figure out my life goals.

“Sounds good.” I answer, still not focusing on the conversation.

“Great. Here, take these.” She hands me a stack of applications and I look at them confused.

“Wyn, could you please join us in here.” Mrs. Mandevers calls. I watch as Wyn gets up and comes into the room to take the seat beside me.

“What’s going on?” I ask, truly confused and nervous now. I should have paid attention.

“Lincoln Tatman, this is Arwyn Scott.” Mrs. Mandevers introduces us.

I look over at my dream girl, who seems to be just as nervous as me, and stick out my hand. “Hi, call me Linc.”

She looks at my hand for a moment and then tentatively places hers in mine and shakes it. “Call me Wyn, please.”

This close, I can see her eyes are a bright green and they are framed in the thickest, longest black lashes I’ve ever seen. And somehow, I know they are not the fake kind girls buy. They are all Wyn.

I smile at her and nod my head. I don’t want to, but I release her hand and turn my attention back to our counselor.

“Wyn is very active in a local charity and helps out with tutoring here at school. I think she might be able to help you get involved in one or both of those. So you’ll have that to put on your college applications. Is that ok with both of you?” She looks between the two of us. I nod my head and I’m guessing Wyn nods hers because Mrs. Mandevers smiles at us both and continues. “This is great. If you need any help filling those applications out, come see me anytime. Linc, let me talk to Wyn alone for a few minutes. Then she can come out and you two can work out your schedules.”

I stand up and walk out, closing the door as I do because I can tell they need privacy. I sit back down in the waiting area. My legs are bouncing up and down because I’m so nervous. I’m getting a chance to spend time with my dream girl, but now I’m worried I’m going to mess it up. I’ve never in my seventeen years been nervous around the fairer sex, but one brown haired, green eyed girl has me quivering like jello. And she’s only said four words to me.

To pass the time, I look over some of the posters hanging on the walls. All of them are meant to inspire and encourage, but in reality, they come across as cheesy. When the posters don’t keep my attention long enough, I pull out my cell to check my email. There’s a new one from Dad and I open it.

From: Andrew Tatman

To: Linc Tatman

Subject: Missing You

Hey kiddo-

Mom told me you got all A’s and B’s the first nine weeks and I can’t be prouder. I hear your cousin is being a pain, but try to ignore him. He’ll grow up eventually and when he does, he’ll regret the way he’s acting. Don’t let his childish behavior push a wedge between that special relationship you two have had since you were kids.

Mom also said you brought up a girl the other day. If she’s caught my boy’s eye, she must be something special. You’re like your old man in that sense, not just any girl can turn a Tatman’s head. It has to be the really wonderful ones like your Mom. I want to hear all about her.

I hope you’re taking good care of the Challenger. Make sure you check her oil regularly and don’t be racing her. I know how tempting it can be at your age to want to show off, but it’s dangerous. So don’t!