Pinkie Promise

by Sarah Clay

  “Shall we, Mrs. Turner?”

  I motion my hand forward, telling her to lead the way when she’s ready.

  “We shall, Mr. Turner.”

  The End.

  Acknowledgments:

  My amazing fiancé and our two girls, who understand my need to immediately get my thoughts down before I’ve lost them. Your never ending support is everything to me.

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  Keep reading for a sample of my first book, Never Enough.

  NEVER ENOUGH

  Chapter One

  Eden

  I'm not quite sure how I'd ended up on the floor, all I know is one second I was rushing to get to the enrolments office before they closed for the day; the next second I saw a blur of movement and feel the wind getting knocked out of me. Surely I would have seen a wall, I definitely would have remembered if there were a wall in the middle of a hallway. At least that's what I'm telling myself, as I suck in some vital air around me into my lungs. I haven't been sleeping very well at night, but I'm not that tired to miss something so obvious, surely.

  When I look to my left, remnants of the much-needed caffeine I was inhaling are smeared all over the floor. But my attention is distracted by a movement to my left, all of a sudden huge male hands are sweeping me up off of the floor in one easy motion and holding me in place. I look around and thank god that there's no one else in the halls who could have witnessed my not so graceful splattering. No, like good self-respecting adults they're not rushing through hallways at the last minute like me.

  Looking down at my forearms I find his hands still remain in place. Jerking my gaze back to the guy holding me up; I have to crane my neck up just to take him in, his tall easily 6'4 to my 5'5 with solid shoulders. His dark hair is messy with hand streaks running through it, like instead of spending an hour getting ready he’s just stepped straight out of a shower and shook the water out with a swipe of his fingers. He's got the most interesting eyes, they're the lightest shade of blue with a darker hue around the edges that are splintering through. His mouth is turned up only slightly, seemingly amused at our little encounter. While possibly still concerned with the fact that neither of us has uttered a word to each other while we’re both assessing the other. I move my eyes down just slightly and take note of what he's wearing. A black tee wraps itself snuggly around his impressive chest and arms. He wears a pair of faded denim jeans that fit his thighs and height perfectly, topped off with a pair of timberlands.

  He’s attractive of course, I may not have noticed him in my rush but I wouldn't be fooling anyone if I tried not to notice him now. I feel my face redden when I look down at myself, I'm wearing a simple pair of canvas TOMS, my jeans are practically painted on to my legs with how tight they are but they are the most comfortable pair I own; even if it is way past time to retire them. I've got an off the shoulder grey tee on; that's now decorated with remnants of my long lost coffee. It's the end of the day, so I just know the light application of makeup I applied this morning has long since run away and if the hair that's falling into my eyes is any indication; I look like a hot mess.

  Blowing the hair out of my eyes before stepping back, causing his hands to drop away. He coughs and draws my attention back. I bite down on my lip, forcing myself to look up and meet his stare. I immediately know I'm busted; I've just checked him out so blatantly I can't even hide it. The second he notices my cheeks flush red, his face evolves with a panty-dropping smirk; showing just a slither of straight white teeth. And I know, I just know he’s going to ruin the illusion I've painted of him in my mind. The smirk is full of cockiness and pride. Of course, he doesn't disappoint.

  "If I was a betting man, I'd say you intentionally collided with me just to start up a conversation"

  he starts "but sweetheart, all you had to do was stop by and say hello... no concussions necessary."

  He slowly appraises my body again with his eyes creasing slightly around the edges as he does. It makes me more than a little uncomfortable so I grab my bag and swing it in front of me, blocking some of my body. But all it does is cause him to drop the smirk and give me a full-blown smile instead.

  "Because there is no way I would have turned you away" he finishes.

  Wow, I don’t even speak, to begin with. Shaking my head instead as I move to step past him but he stops my direction by leaning into me.

  “Why don’t we head out; I’ll even replace your coffee. After, we can go back to yours.”

  He speaks with so much confidence, he’s not really asking; more telling and assuming the answer. I just stare at him. I’m not blind. I doubt he has to work very hard for the masses of female attention that attend The University of Sydney, but surely he doesn’t think I’m just going to turn around and go home with him.

  I laugh to myself, I don’t even know his name. I mean sure... another coffee would be nice and considering he’s the one who obviously stepped out into my path he really should replace it, it would be the gentlemanly thing to do. I scoff out loud this time, there is definitely nothing gentlemanly about him. I cover my mouth to hide it, garnering his attention back to my face. Yeah, his eyes were definitely downcast on my chest; I cross my arms over my shirt to block his view. Causing his full brows to raise and that smirk to reappear. He doesn’t even care he’d been the one busted this time. I shake my head at him again, sure I’m going to hurt myself if all this shaking keeps up.

  Attempting to step around him again, he reaches up to stop me.

  "Come on sweetheart, don't act shy now. Hell, you were plastered to me just a few seconds ago."

  He brow rises in a challenge as he waits for me to accept his offer. While it’s tempting, I'm just not that type of girl. I'm not going home with him or anyone for that matter. I have too much on my mind to even consider it. Nope, I've seen enough guys coming and going from my mother's bed to know how it all ends. I feel myself shudder just thinking of it.

  That's when I remember what I'm even doing here, I'm later now than I already was. Looking back up at him with a smile, just hoping I can pull this off. Finally, he releases me and gives me a curt nod, clearly thinking he's got his victory. I watch as he turns in the direction of the fluorescent EXIT sign but when I keep walking towards my original destination he pauses looking back over his shoulder. Just as he goes to speak; I cut him off. Turning so I'm facing him as I continue walking backward.

  "I'm not interested. But in the future, you should really step on the brakes with the cockiness. And when I say step on them, I mean to slam your foot down hard enough to break it... sweetheart."

  I laugh as I right myself and walk away. I know I shouldn't be such a bitch, especially since I don't know what type of guy he is. He could be pissed at my attempt to bruise his ego or something. Unfortunately, I couldn't help myself.

  Chapter Two

  Ryan

  Walking into the apartment I kick off my work boots before ripping my dirty high vis shirt up and over my head. Throwing it towards the laundry door; it's been a long week and I'm glad as fuck its Friday. I spot my brother with his head in the fridge as I throw my keys and wallet down on the kitchen bench. He doesn't even bother to stand up and acknowledge me. I'd barely seen him all week with the long hours I'd been working, he'd been getting his shit ready to start University next week. I hear him as he calls over his shoulder, still not looking up from his place.

  "We've got nothing to eat man, I'm fucking starving."

  I shake my head, this guy; complains we've never got food but never stops fucking eating. He's lucky he’s not a fat slob. But we're both pretty lucky on that front. Something about a good metabolism or some shit. The only difference is I work in construction and am constantly carrying around heavy timber and steel. Jase and I are twins.
>
  Born 11 minutes apart, not officially Identical but we are in almost every way. Except where he keeps his hair neatly shaven, I've let mine grow out a bit and while he's solid, I'm bigger; something I never let him forget. His nose is straight whereas mine’s been broken a time or two before, leaving me with a subtle kink. We definitely have our own interests. He’s the smart one out of our duo, probably why he’s attending University to a get a double degree and I'm not.

  He does come out most weekends with me to have some drinks and enjoy the never-ending line of pussy that trails us. But he’s more focused on earning that degree. While he’s content to keep his head between the books, I'm content to keep my head between a nice set of thighs. He doesn't love the way I live my life though; thinks I'm throwing my future away. Apparently, I'm angry, but you would be too if your mother walked out on you when you were just a couple of years old and your father was too busy working to raise you. Jase though he didn't get angry. He just kept continuing to focus on his studies and future, having the occasional relationship along the way. He might not agree with my strategy but he's always got my back.

  "Did you hear me?" he calls out as he reappears with two beers.

  He throws one at me, I catch it before cracking off the beer cap throwing it back at him; he dodges out of its way with ease letting it drop to the ground. Walking over to the lounge room, I throw myself down on the recliner as he rounds the couch and takes his normal spot. Unpausing whatever shit he was watching before I interrupted.

  "Where are we headed tonight? Brad and Max are putting on something casual."

  He asks straight-faced. But when I look at him with an exaggerated eye roll, he breaks and we both laugh.

  "It's never casual with those two fuckers. Yeah, let's hit it up." I stand up and take a few big gulps of my beer; while peering at the time.

  "If we head over early they might even feed us."

  I should know not to joke with him about food; he’s already standing and hustling towards the bathroom to get ready. I laugh as I sit back down in the spot I’d just vacated.

  ∞

  "Wait so she pretty much told you to piss off then."

  Jase is laughing so hard at the mere idea of it. I'd just finished filling him in on the little birdy who flew in and then fled just as fast a few days ago. We'd been in the hallway on Monday afternoon at his school, I reminisce with disappointment. She was fucking hot; she was in a rush clearly. Didn't even see me step out of the adjoining hallway before colliding with me. I'd had to drop off some shit at the main office for Jase. After he’d heard I'd taken the day off he'd hit me up for the favor.

  I was supposed to do it first thing in the morning but had slept off the mother off all hangovers instead. I didn't even have enough time to grab her before she fell to the ground. I felt fucking terrible for it too, I mean it was an accident but it must have hurt. When I pulled her up on her feet she was as light as a feather and a little dazed, leaving me with enough time to catalog her body. The top of her head came up to just below my shoulders. Her dark brown hair was in a high ponytail, well most of it anyway. I'm not normally an eyes man, but this chick had the greyest fucking eyes I'd ever seen. I noticed she looked a little tired, probably a few late nights in town.

  Moving down her face I saw she had a little turned up nose and a full pouty mouth, her bottom lip a little bigger than the top. Her body was unreal. How I would have liked to be a pair of jeans, the ones she had on to be exact. They were like a second skin on her and that arse when she turned away from me, yeah I'm an arse man and hers was impressive, to say the least. I'd made a joke about her intentionally falling over me and offered to take her for more coffee and more fun.

  I normally just cock my head in a direction and they come running, but she scoffed at me. An actual scoff, but the second she dropped that smile on me and a tight little dimple peeked through, I knew she'd realized it wasn't worth playing hard to get and missing an opportunity. I'm not trying to sound like a prick, but it's been this way for years. I've gotten accustomed to the game. When she walked away, I was shocked. But when she told me to pump the breaks and then disappeared, I'd just stood there and laughed like a punk. To top it off she had actually kept on walking, no game. She just left and that was that.

  My brothers laughing causes me to break into a smile and I just nod at him beside me as I drive us over to the guys' place. It’s only about a 10-minute drive away from our apartment but we'd ended up stopping at a local pub to grab some food before heading over. Max has a townhouse his dad purchased for him. And so long as he continues to pass the course load that was laid out for him, attended company dinners and asked how high when his dad said jump; it was all his. It's a sweet set up, but fuck that. Jumping through hoops for someone just to have a roof over your head.

  I pull my Toyota Hilux into their street and notice all the cars lining the streets. Yeah, casual never happens. Brad moved in with Max at the start of the year, we'd all attended high school together. The four of us have always been a pretty tight group. The townhouse is two bedrooms upstairs with a big open plan layout downstairs; perfect for parties. We plan to utilize it as much as possible these next few years. As I pull up to the driveway, Jase jumps out and moves the hazard cones that had blocked off the only remaining car space within walking distance. A neat little perk if I do say so.

  Cutting the engine and grabbing my shit before climbing out. Jase doesn't bother waiting for me just heads in. I take my time following after him, as soon as I open the door I'm greeted with the loud bass. Catching the attention of the few close by. Greetings are called out from all over. I may not be attending school with the boys, but we grew up in the area and are well known. I give a few hugs and gruff pats on my way to the kitchen where I know I'll find the shots. On my way, I spot Jase in the corner talking to a cute redhead and figure he’s set for the night, didn't take long. I laugh and continue on my way, knowing it won't take me much longer to find someone to go home with either.

  Chapter Three

  Eden

  "Remind me why I'm taking this class?" I groan in Bree's direction as I stalk around our apartment snatching up my things.

  "Something about being a grown up and having a solid future in place" she mimics me as she rounds the corner from her bedroom still wearing her pajamas and slippers.

  She still looks a million bucks and I wish I could hate her for it, even just a little bit. Aubree or Bree as I call her is my best friend. We met on the first day of school and have been inseparable ever since. She knows just about every dirty dark secret I hold and has never judged me. In fact, she's patched me up and begged me to tell someone my secrets many times.

  But I wouldn't and she knew it, so instead of getting angry or upset; she'd help get me away from home as much as possible. You wouldn't pick us two together that's for sure. She's undeniably beautiful. Long blonde hair, big ocean blue eyes and an incredible body from dancing for all these years. If that's not enough, she is an incredible person too. So nice and funny. She's that girl that walks into a room and lights it up. I, however, am not.

  “Right, well remind me next time that I don’t do mornings” I mumble as she passes me my phone and keys, walking me towards the door of our apartment.

  It’s an old little apartment, but it’s all we could afford. That’s a lie, it’s all I could afford. Bree could afford almost anywhere, at least her parents could. We’d talked about moving out of home ever since we were little and she was adamant we would be living together. I was adamant I would only do so if I paid for half the expenses. I wouldn’t budge and neither would she, so we ended up here. There’s nothing wrong with it per se, it just isn’t in the greatest complex. Definitely a step up from the last place I called home though that’s for sure.

  “You’ll be fine, you’re just nervous” she assumes all to correctly.

  Ducking my head, I bite down on my bottom lip. I feel her reach out with a gentle hand on my arm, so I stop and look up at her. S
he’s smiling, her straight white teeth showing,

  “Edie, you CAN do this.”

  I give her a small nod at the use of the old nickname and go back to worrying my bottom lip between my teeth.

  “How about we meet up for lunch when you’re done?” she suggests, perking me right up.

  “Yeah? we could go to that little cafe across the road from the school, what’s it called?” This earns me a big smile.

  “Dukes! Yes, it’s a date” she winks as she opens the door for me, nudging me out with a swat on my butt.

  “Have fun, I’m going back to bed for a few hours. Monday mornings and I aren’t friends.” I roll my eyes at her and head off for class, knowing exactly how she feels.

  ∞

  I make it to the campus in no time, while I can't drive; I can walk. Bree is normally with me outside of school anyway and she drives us in her little Mazda 3, so it's an easy setup. I'd been studying the School directory online for months, whenever I was over at Bree’s. The campus is beautiful; it's set in the heart of Sydney. The buildings, a mix of old sandstone and modern architecture are surrounded by the most well-manicured lawns and landscaping I've ever seen. It's a huge campus and there are always so many people gathered around. There's even a graffiti tunnel that the school allows, there's some backstory to it that I can't really remember. I walk in the direction I know my first class is being held. A few people smile and offer a wave, I return the gestures albeit subtly and continue on.