Promised (The Promised Series)

always thought you were smarter than the rest of us, better. It was time for you to see you’re not. You’re nothing but a mouthy little bitch. And now you’ll have a husband to knock that out of you.”
    I gasp in shock. He releases me, satisfaction written across his face. I want that look gone, so I pull my hand back and with every bit of strength I have, I slam my palm across the side of his face.
    He jerks back in surprise, and maybe a little in pain. His hand to his cheek, he yells. “You bitch!” And makes a lunge for me. Shay grabs him around the chest, holding him back.
    "Wyn…” Shay begins.
    “No.” I say, stopping him. I move closer to the two of them, getting right in Aidan’s face. “It’s done. I’m done !” I look over his shoulder at Shay, trying to soften my words even though I know no matter how soft they go, they’ll still sting him. “I’m done with both of you.”
    I don’t even wait on either of them to react. I pull up the hem of my dress and run. I hear Aidan yelling, Shay shuffling to keep a hold on him. But I’m so far gone, I don’t look back.
    At the front of the church, I finally glance back to make sure Aidan hasn’t broken loose and isn’t following me. But not paying attention to where I’m running causes me to run right into someone. They grab on to both of my arms to steady me, but I jerk back ready to fight them off. I whip my head around and come face to face with Adam. Dani is standing by him, holding Lil Wyn in her arms.
    “Winnie, what’s wrong?” Adam asks, his face scrunched in concern.
    I look his face over, trying to memorize it because I know this could be the last time I ever see him. He’s been one of my best friends and protectors from the moment I came into this world, but I have to go. It’s the best decision for me. I kiss his cheek without saying a word. Then I move to Dani and the baby. I kiss the top of Lil Wyn’s head and then look up.
    “I’m sorry, Dani. I can’t do this. I tried to go through with it, but I just…can’t.” I kiss her cheek and hug her and the baby gently to me. Releasing them I whisper. “You’ll always be my best friend. I love you.” I look at Adam. “I love you, both.”
    A sob breaks through Dani’s lips, but I don’t let it stop me. Without another word, I turn and continue running away.
    In the parking lot, I catch site of Marley by her car. I run up and grab both of her hands. “Please, get me out of here.”
    She takes me in, stopping at my feet, scrapped up from running without shoes. Then comes back to my face that I know is flushed with anger from the fight with Aidan and eyes that I know are holding back tears from having to say goodbye to the people I love.
    She rounds the hood of her car and climbs into the driver’s seat, motioning for me to climb in too.
    Once we’re speeding out of the parking lot, she asks. “Want to talk about it?” And I do, so I spill. I tell her everything, from how I met Linc at school and how it all started, to his plan so I can go to college. I even tell her about our night together. She knows our whole story and I expect her to look at me with disgust, or at the very least, disappointment. But when I look at her face, all I see is understanding.
    She takes one hand off the steering wheel to grab mine and squeezes it. “You can’t help who you love.” A smile lights up her face and she adds. “I think we have a graduation to get you to.”
    I let out a breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding and say. “I think you’re right.”
    As she pulls us into the packed parking lot of the school’s football field where graduation’s taking place, I decide as her friend, I need to tell her what I know. She’s too sweet to be treated by Aidan this way.
    I twist in my seat as she puts the car into park. “Marley, I need to tell you something.”
    She twists too, so we’re facing each other. “You better make it quick or you’ll miss your graduation.”
    Maybe saying it quick will help, liking removing a band aid. I take a deep breath, release it, and say in a rush. “Aidan’s cheating on you and the girl’s pregnant with his baby. Due anytime.”
    Her mouth drops open for a moment, then she snaps it shut and growls. “I love him, even though he’s a complete jerk and he does this to me.”
    I reach out and place my hand on hers. “You’re too good for him, Marley. Leave him and make him pay for doing this to you.”
    “Do you know what my