Delicate Promises (Southern Bride 2)

“Wait. What?” I said, feeling like a fool and a complete bitch at the same time. When did I start acting like this? Damn Miles for throwing me off my game ever since he came back home.

“My father said what? Is Lana okay?” I asked. Before he could answer, we were interrupted yet again.

“Hey there, Miles!” Heather said, her buzzed state evident as she wobbled. Steve’s friend was by her side, holding her with one arm. I stared at her in shock. How had she gotten so drunk so fast?

Miles took in Heather’s state as Kenny Adams walked up and handed Miles a beer. Kenny and Miles had been good friends in high school, and Kenny was now one of the sheriffs in our county.

Kenny pointed to Heather, and then to the guy, and said, “You’re drunk, and who is this?”

Heather laughed. “This is Roger. No, wait, Robert?”

The guy laughed. “Roger.”

“Yes! Roger and I are leaving,” Heather told all of us. I couldn’t help but notice how Kenny’s eyes grew large, but it wasn’t with surprise. It was anger.

“The hell you are. Heather, do you even know this guy?” Kenny asked.

“She knows me, dude. Are you her boyfriend or something?”

“No, but I’m not sure that that will prevent me from intervening,” Kenny replied. Miles took a step closer, as if preparing to back up his old friend. The two of them should have scared this Roger guy away. Miles and Kenny were built. Roger here? Not so much.

“I think you need to mind your own business,” Roger spat. Apparently, he didn’t get the picture.

“Oh, hell,” I mumbled, reaching for Heather.

That didn’t sit well with Miles. He reached for the guy’s shirt while I got Heather away from Roger. Then he got right in his face and laid down the law.

“Dude, I saw you last night walking into the hotel with another woman. If you think for one second we’re gonna let you do the same to our friend, you are signing your own death certificate.”

Heat swept over my body, and it wasn’t from anger for once. I was turned on beyond belief. Miles standing up for Heather and watching over her had my lady bits throbbing.

Yes, yes. Settle down. I know you’ve been brought back to life this month… Cool your tits, will ya?

I closed my eyes and mumbled under my breath. “I’m talking to my vagina.”

“What?” Miles asked, looking at me with a befuddled expression.

“Nothing,” I said. This was the Miles I knew. The guy who cared about his friends, who would fight to the death to keep them safe. Who loved so fiercely that even he didn’t recognize it at times.

The guy let out a nervous chuckle as he backed off. “Dude, listen, I was just looking to have a good time, and she said she was up for it.”

Kenny pulled out his badge and showed it to Roger. “She’s drunk. You always take advantage of inebriated women?”

“No! I mean, I’m just gonna go find my friend and call it a night.”

“What? No!” Heather cried out.

I looked at her. She was drunk. Very drunk. Frowning, I turned to the guy she had been hanging out with. “What did you give her? She was fine twenty minutes ago.”

“Give her? I didn’t give her shit. She’s been tossing back shots like they’re candy. I’m not into that kind of shit.”

“Get the fuck out before I put my fist into your face,” Miles said, giving the guy a push. He stumbled until he got his balance, then shook his head and walked away.

Heather called out, but I grabbed her arm. “Heather, honey, you are way too drunk.”

“Why did you let her get this wasted?” Miles said while Kenny put his arm around Heather and started for the exit. I found my purse and Heather’s and followed him.

“Excuse me, but I’m not her mother or her babysitter and don’t necessarily keep tabs on her.”

“So you were going to let her leave with that guy this drunk.”

“No! I would have seen how drunk she was and stopped her.”

He huffed. “Seems to me you had the same thing in mind, Kynslee.”

“What does that mean?”

“A good fuck. Isn’t that what you wanted from your friend…Steve. Obviously easy to remember since it’s also your father’s name?”

The moment we stepped into the parking lot, I grabbed his arm. “Who do you think you are, Miles? You walk into this bar and act like we need protecting from you. Well, let me just fill you in on something. I’ve been taking care of myself just fine all these years while you’ve been gone.”

Kenny cleared his throat and said, “Kynslee.”

“Not know, Kenny!” I shouted.

Focusing on Miles, I went on. “I don’t need you to protect me! I don’t want you to.”

He went to say something before he clenched his jaw tight.