Pinkie Promises (A Promises Novella #1) (8 page)

First of all, I wouldn’t be here without the support of those around me. This book started off as a joke between my husband and I. He and I pinkie swear a lot and I mentioned I should write a book about pinkie promises between two friends. He told me that was a great idea. So thank you for all you do, dear hubby!

Then there’s the countless blogs that support me, such Maari Loves Her Indies. She’s literally the nicest blogger in the business. And she’s always available for me to bu
g
.

And there’s Just One More Page. Jen Wildner is always just a PM away when I need something like a read through done.

Those are just a few mentioned. There are plenty more that SHOULD be mentioned, but then I would still be typing.

My betas are an amazing group. Their feedback is so appreciated. Thank you, Lindsey, Paula, Andrekia, and Maari!! You will never know how much I truly appreciate you!

Also, I want to thank my BFF Niquel. She pushes me when I doubt myself. Cheers me on when I have something exciting happen. She’s there whenever I need her. She shows me what friendship is all about!!

And then I want to thank my editor, who is there for any need I have, such as a title question or when I’m in blurb hell. She allows me to say ‘here, can you edit this at the drop of a hat?’.

THANK YOU to the readers that picked up this little book and read it. I hope you said AWE at the end like I did. I mean, how perfect was that ending? Jace and Simone will always have a special place in my heart. We all need those kinds of friendships!

Renea Porter is best known for writing realistic stories with realistic characters. Her stories may even cause you to shed a tear or two. She mainly writes New Adult and Contemporary Romance. However, she’s not afraid to venture into other genres, like Paranormal Romance.

She enjoys spending time with her husband of fourteen years, and step son. She calls Pennsylvania home, but loves to travel and try new things. In her free time you can catch her reading books, watching reality television, and baking.

Her other works include:

-Coming Back to You

-Bare Hearts

-Undefinable

-Mirror Mirror (A Novella)

-Driving Layne

-Switching Lanes

-Outbound Lane

-The Truth of Us

-The Butterfly Effect

-And her latest The Year I Met August.

All of her books can be found on Amazon, B&N, Kobo and iBooks.

GUY

“Just get out, Stassi!” I yell. “I can’t even look at you right now.”

She backs up to the door. “I’m sorry, Guy. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’ll just come back later for my stuff.”

My fists ball at my sides. I really want to punch something. I pace the living room floor then I call Emily, my business partner, Stassi’s sister, and a good friend to me.

“Hey. What’s up?”

I run my hand through my hair as I sit on the couch. “Did you know she was cheating on me?”

“Stassi was cheating? I had no idea. Guy, I’m so sorry. Do you want me to come over?”

“No,” I say in a calmer tone.

“Well, I’m going to call her ass up and cuss her out for being a bitch.”

I chuckle. “You do that. I made her leave because I just couldn’t look at her anymore. I’ll be over here getting drunk.”

“Okay. Let me know how that goes. If you need me, call,” Emily tells me.

“Bye, Emily.”

“Bye.”

Grabbing a beer from the fridge, and a box of trash bags, I head upstairs. In the small closet, I throw all her clothes in a trash bag. I don’t even give her the decency to put them in a suitcase. Everything of hers gets put in a trash bag, so there are no remnants of her being here. I put the bags by the door to await pick-up. She’s lucky they don’t get thrown in the yard.

I sit on the couch with a second beer and wonder how my life became so fucked up. Getting Sous Steakhouse ready to launch in five days has been a long process. And it’s taken a lot of time away from my wife. Maybe that was where I went wrong, not spending more time at home. But the restaurant business requires long hours. Stassi knew my schedule, and I thought she understood. In the end, I did come home to her.

But after six years, it’s all gone. I text her and let her know her stuff is by the door and to leave the house key on the table, taking my wedding ring off and toss it on the coffee table. I move to the kitchen and decide to get the whole six pack then move back to the living room, lying on the couch, not paying attention to anything.

The first time Stassi cheated on me, I forgave her. But a second time…I just can’t get past the betrayal. I thought we were in a good place, but I was wrong.

***

Three days later, Emily shows up. “Well, don’t you look like hell. Come on. Get up. No more sulking. Go shower.”

“Piss off,” I tell her.

“No. I’m serious. Come on, Guy I’ve been handling the restaurant and the deliveries, but it’s time to get up.” She kicks my legs. “Now go shower. You reek.”

“How’d you get in here, anyway?”

“I have a spare key. Remember the whole sister-in-law thing. You go get ready, and I’ll get you coffee ready. I brought muffins,” she says, shaking the brown bag.

“Fuck. Fine!”

“Fine!”

“Fine!”

“I’m glad we got that worked out,” she says after I’m halfway up the stairs.

The shower actually feels nice after three days of binge drinking and lying on the couch. I couldn’t bear to sleep in the bed I shared with
her
. But the thing I love about Emily is she won’t let me sit around wallowing for too long.

The restaurant is a fresh start for me. And I might as well make the effort. We open in five days.

After showering, I trim my beard down so it’s a five o’clock shadow, put on some aftershave, and head to my bedroom to change clothes. The closet is much bigger now with just my clothes hanging inside. After I grab a black t-shirt and pull on a pair of white jeans, and I meet Emily back downstairs.

“As promised, coffee and a muffin. They aren’t as good as the ones you make, but they’ll do.”

How does she know me so well?

Broken Promises is coming SOON!!!!