Pinkie Promises (A Promises Novella #1) (2 page)

PAST: Simone Age 6

I dreaded getting on the school bus. Jace Prescott sat behind me, and always pulled my hat off. He’d wave it high above me, so I couldn’t reach it, and laugh along with his friends as I tried. I knew that today would be no different. I didn’t like Jace very much. He was a meanie, and always made me cry.

When I got on the bus, I pulled my hat on a little tighter and made my way to my assigned seat. There he was, hovering over me with a sneaky face, as always. Ignoring him, I sat down. Butterflies fluttered in my belly. And my heart was racing really fast.

My hat gets pulled off. Tears threaten to pour out. But I refuse to give Jace that satisfaction.

Turning around, I reach for my hat. “I’ve had about enough of you, Jace. Give it back.”

He continued holding it high in the air.

“Fine. I will just take something from you,” I threatened.

“Like what?” he sneered.

“I just won’t invite you to my birthday party. The whole class is coming except you. My mom is getting a bouncy house,” I smarted.

“I want to come.”

“No. You’re mean.”

“I won’t be mean to you anymore,” he said.

“Do you promise?”

He nodded. “I pinkie promise.” Then he handed over my hat. “So we can be friends now?”

“Okay. I guess you can come to my party.”

Present: SIMONE

And that was the beginning of a very long friendship. In the shower, I let the steam cover the glass as I wash my body and my hair, and continue thinking about my best friend.

I thank god for not puking or crying last night. Having Jace there did comfort me in a weird way. Then again, he always has a way about him. Without even telling him, he knew I needed him. He’s never let me down yet. That doesn’t mean my faith in men is cured. Men still suck.

After getting ready for work, I stop at my mailbox to check for my impending invite. There’s a pretty envelope with pretty handwriting. Probably Jennifer’s. Opening it, I see it is, indeed, a wedding invitation. With a roll of my eyes, I toss the invite in the trash and proceed to my car.

Maybe I should feel sorry for Jennifer. But maybe James sees something in her to make him want to change. It just sucks she was the girl he cheated on me with. And they are still together, planning a future, a white picket fence, and two point five kids. The dream. Fuck the dream.

***

The lunch gig runs smoothly. Catering has always been a dream of mine. I get to meet all walks of life, and my clients trust me to put my own special touch on their events. It’s definitely a rewarding job to bring the clients vision to life, even if it is a simple luncheon. Thank god, I don’t do weddings. That’s just too much pressure. But I may have to tackle it later in my career in order to grow my business.

I started Taste three years ago, right around the time James and I were together. I have regular clients who always use my service for all their occasions. Then there’s those that just like a big shindig and they go all out.

Once the luncheon is over, I let the staff leave while I pack up and head back home.

***

“Are you ready to get your ass kicked?” I ask confidently.

“Please. You better not cry if you lose,” Jace teases.

Jace then turns to me with a devilish grin, and I know that is never a good sign. “How about a little wager?”

“What do you have in mind?”

“If I get to the top first, you come to the wedding with me. We pretend to be a couple. Just to aggravate James.”

I laugh as if he’s joking. “You are out of your mind. What if I win?”

“Then you don’t have to go.”

So Jace wants to play like we are a couple. Things just got a whole lot more interesting in the friendship of Simone and Jace,
I think to myself.

“Fine. You got yourself a deal. But only if you can keep that dick in your pants from now on. Well, at least until it’s over. We both know how much you love the ladies.”

“It’s a deal.”

“You promise?” I ask.

“I pinkie promise,” he says, latching his pinkie with mine.

“Just drive, so we can settle this,” I tell him.

Jace pulls into Tar Rock Climbing and my confidence dwindles. Why did I make such a stupid bet?
Dumb, Simone, dumb.
Inside, the tall wall is intimidating. But I don’t show fear as I pull my hair into a ponytail. I give myself a pep talk as I’m being strapped into the contraption. Sizing the wall up, I try to gauge my steps before we start. My long legs should come in handy.

“Ready?” Jace asks.

I exhale out. “I’m ready. Prepare to be beat by a girl.”

My foot lands on a rock and I gain a good momentum. I’ve beat Jace in a lot of things like tether ball, dodge ball, and kick ball. Knowing that gives me the boost I need. Jace is better with video games, which he designs for a living.

When I get three quarters of the way, I can taste victory. But Jace bursts my bubble by getting to the top first.
Son of a bitch.

“You cheated!” I yell.

“I did not. I won fair and square. Get ready to pack your bags, sweetheart.” He smacks my ass when we reach the bottom, and I contemplate kicking him, right in his junk.

I huff in frustration as my harness is removed. This is rigged.

“It’s only a four day weekend. It won’t be that bad,” he tells me.

I glare at him, and wonder why I let him talk me into this little charade. Still, how bad can it be? A little hand holding, maybe a hug here and there. Maybe not so bad.

“You know what? I’m going to go along with this charade just because I’m a good sportsman. Now I need a drink,” I state as we walk out of the building.

Jace grins and pulls into the nearest bar, Charlie’s Place. It’s a hole in the wall type place. He pulls the door open, motioning for me to enter first. I head straight to the bar to order a jack and coke.

Shaking his head at the bartender, Jace decides to ruin my buzz. “We’ll just have two Stella’s please.”

With a nod, the bartender passes us each a beer.

“I don’t even know why you’re sulking. I’m your best friend; you act like the thought of us pretending to be a couple is repulsive. If that’s what you think, you can just forget about it. It’s just a dumb bet, anyway.”

Great. Now he’s mad at me. “I don’t think you’re repulsive. God, Jace. It’s not even about you. I’ve managed to avoid seeing your brother for nearly a year. I’m just trying to wrap my head around it.”

He takes a swig of his beer. “Good. We’ll have a good time. I promise.”

“Pinkie promise?”

“I pinky promise.” He chuckles, and, in return, I smile. “And I’ll RSVP for both of us.”

I continue drinking my beer and nursing my wounds, but say nothing.

JACE: Age 7

It was the first time Simone was riding her big girl bike. I had already gotten my bike three months ago, so I had more experience. Watching Simone, I could tell she was nervous; afraid she’d fall and get hurt, so I kept my eye on her as we were riding around our neighborhood.

I could tell Simone was feeling more confident after a while, but the moment her tire hit a rock, she went flying off, banging her knee on the ground.

Dumping my bike on the ground, I rushed over to her as fast as I could and saw tears building up in her eyes. She held her knee to her chest as she sat on the ground. Her knee was a little bloody, and I think that freaked her out more as she started to cry.

I bent down to get a better look at it. “It’s just a scrape,” I said, blowing on her knee. “Think you can stand?”

She wiped the tears from her face. “Yeah.” I know she was just trying to be tough like my friends and I. “Ouch,” she said, limping.

“It’s okay. Your house isn’t far.” I knelt down. “Here; jump on my back.”

“You can’t carry me on your back.”

I looked over my shoulder. “Just do it, Simone.”

She gently climbed on my back, and I carried her the rest of the way home.

“What about the bikes?” she asked.

“I’ll go get them once we have your mom bandage that knee.”

Inside the house, I sat with her while her mom cleaned the wound and put a big band-aid on it.

“You okay now?” I asked.

“Yeah. I’m okay.”

“You promise?” I asked.

“I pinkie promise,” she said, hooking her pinkie with mine.

PRESENT: SIMONE

Jace and I arrive at my mom’s for Sunday dinner. We hadn’t done much over the weekend besides rock climbing, and somehow, he got me hooked on a Game of Thrones marathon.

But Sundays are always dedicated to spending it with Mom. We lost dad a few years ago to a heart attack. Losing a loved one brought us closer. James, my ex, handled Dad’s will and was overseeing the financials to the businesses Dad ran. So he is a part of my life whether I like it or not. But avoiding him has been easier than I thought. I shake the thoughts from my head.

Jace sets the table for the three of us while Mom and I bring the food to the table. She made meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and corn, as well as rolls. It is a favorite meal of mine. Mom sits across from me, while Jace sits to my right.

“So, what have you two been up to?” Mom asks, placing a cloth napkin on her lap.

Jace decides to chime in. “Well, Simone has agreed to be my girlfriend.” He is more than happy announcing this news.

I choke on my food.

Mom slaps the table with her hand. “It’s about time. I’m so happy.”

Jace slides an arm across the back of my chair. I just sit there letting him lie to my mom. I don’t even know why I went along with it. I do know Jace is up to something and I reserve the urge to punch him until later.

Once dinner is over, I help clear the dishes while Mom packs us leftovers. Kissing Mom, we thank her for dinner and turn to leave. When Jace and I get outside, I reach over and punch his arm.

“What the hell?”

“Why did you lie to my mom like that? Telling her we’re dating…” I shake my head.

“We have to make it look real. We can’t just show up to the wedding and all of a sudden be dating. People need to believe it.”

“I guess you’re right. I need to go dress shopping. I’m calling your sister to go with me.”

While Jace drives us to our respective apartments, I call Jane to meet me at my place. Once we get home, I have enough time to put the leftovers away and to freshen up, then there is a knock at the door.

She squeals the moment the door swings open. Reaching out to hug me, she wraps her arms around me. “Gosh. I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever. Still gorgeous as ever.”

“I love your hair short like that,” I tell her.

“Thank you. With a husband and three kids, there isn’t much time to mess with hair.” I laugh as we load into her SUV. “Excuse the mess,” she says. Once we are buckled in our seats, Jane pulls onto the main highway. “So dress shopping, huh?”

“Yeah;, for your brother’s wedding.” I start to talk really fast. “Somehow, Jace won a bet to get me to go. Everyone is supposed to think we are dating. He wants to play like we are a couple to annoy James.”

Jane laughs loudly. “What the heck?”

“Exactly what I said. I think Jace has lost his damn mind. Anyway, we went rock climbing and he beat me to the top, so I have to escort him to the wedding and play girlfriend for the whole shindig. You know Jace and his competiveness.”

Jane could not contain her excitement through the squeals that were making my ears bleed. “James is going to freak.”

“I doubt it. He’s marrying another woman,” I tell her.

“That’s the thing. He’ll be pissed just because Jace is our little brother.”

“Maybe. Don’t you say a word to anyone. Jace is adamant on everyone believing us.”

She raises her hand up to her mouth. “My lips are sealed.”

The drive to Kennedy’s Boutique is short. Stepping out of her vehicle, we make our way inside and start to look around. “So what’s new with you?” I ask.

“Nothing, really. The kids keep me busy, and Roger wants to have sex five nights a week. And I’m just too exhausted. I thought three nights a week was a good compromise.”

My eyes widen. “That’s a lot of sex.”

“Got to keep your man happy. Plus, he helps me out with the kids so I can’t really complain.”

I pick up a dress and hold it up. “How’s this?”

“Too long. You need something short to show off those legs. Lord knows they won’t look like that forever.”

I laugh at her comment. Did I mention Jane dresses some of the top actresses in New York? It’s one of the reasons she can afford to live in the city. I could have easily gone through the stash of designer clothes she keeps on hand. But I would never expect that from her. Having her here, I know she will tell me what works and what doesn’t. So if she says go short, you go short.

“I have something in mind if I can find it,” Jane says, scanning the racks.

When the sales consultant comes over, Jane explains what she’s looking for. The only thing I understand out of the conversation is the words short, flirty, preferably in off-white.

The sales lady leads us to another rack toward the back of the store. She locates the piece and holds it up. “I think you are looking for this.”

Jane takes and hands it over to me. “Go try this on.”

I do as she requests, heading to the changing rooms. I strip out of my clothes and pull on the off-white number. It’s fitted at the top with a cinched waist, and flares out to give it that flirty look. It barely comes to mid-thigh. The fabric has an intricate design on it. Almost like a lace overlay. Pushing the dressing room door open, I suck in a breath while I wait for Jane’s reaction.

She steps back to get a better look at me. Her jaw drops. “That dress looks amazing. And those legs! Girl, that’s the dress,” she declares.

“If I bend in any way, my ass will show.”

“Don’t bend down or over. And I have shoes in the car for you.”

Of course she does. After changing, I make my purchase. The dress puts me back four freaking hundred dollars. Jane sure has expensive taste. But I’m sure it’s worth it. When I hand over my credit card, I look over to Jane. “Hey. At least you don’t have to buy shoes,” she says.

“I should have just raided your designer rack,” I say, shaking my head.

“Jace is going to die when he sees you in that. He may even fall in love with you right then and there if he isn’t already,” she notes.

I laugh. “Jace can’t even keep a girl for five minutes.”

“That’s because he’s in love with you.”

“Ha. Yeah right.”

She makes a hmmm sound, and I choose to ignore her comment because she is crazy. Like, on loco level.

“Thanks for taking me shopping. I needed the girl time.” I lean over and hug her as she pulls up to my place.

“Anytime. The shoes are in the back, in the black box. You can keep them. They are last season, anyway.”

“Thank you!” I tell her when I grab the box and shut the trunk. I wave as I make my way to the door and she pulls away.

Before going inside, I notice a strange car parked next to Jace’s car. He has a guest, and if I recall, payback is a bitch. Inside my apartment, I set the dress and the shoe box down. Taking the spare key I have for safe keeping, I walk over to Jace’s place.

Sticking the key inside the knob, I realize this is either going to be the best idea or the worst. My heart kicks up a few notches, hoping not to catch him in ‘the act’. Cause that would be gross. But after hearing the woman’s laughter, I know they haven’t gotten far. I spot Jace and a blonde chick on the sofa.

“Hey, Jace,” I greet. “Who do you have here?”

There’s a look of confusion on his face. “This is, uh, Michelle. What are you doing here?”

“Oh. Well, since you asked me to be your girlfriend, your little slut friend should leave,” I spout.

Michelle’s hand meets Jace’s cheek as she stands to leave. Then the door slams shut behind her.

“Oops,” I say, covering my mouth.

“What the hell, Simone?”

“What the hell, Jace? You promised. Since when are our pinkie promises not sacred?”

I can’t believe how mad I actually am. Jace going back on a promise is like him committing a crime. Maybe he thought it was childish, but that is and has always been our thing. Perhaps I think more of our friendship than he does. I’ve never known him to go back on a promise.

Storming out of his place, I enter my apartment and get ready for bed. I am still mad about the whole situation. After turning on a rerun of Friends, sleep comes fairly quick.

***

A knock on the door, forces me to get out of bed. My hair piled high on my head, I answer the door. Jace is presenting a vase full of flowers of every kind. “I’m sorry. I’m an ass,” he says.

I take the flowers from him. “Fine. As long as you promise not to do that again.”

He holds out his pinkie. “I pinkie promise.”

Hooking mine with his, we agree. “Thanks for the flowers. At least you know how to apologize.”

“I should after twenty some years, right? Now how about some coffee?”

I pour each of us a mug of coffee. Filling the vase with water, I adjust the carnations, roses and other flowers into a sporadic, yet organized display.

“So, we’re good?” Jace asks.

“Yeah. We’re good. You know I could never stay mad at you,” I admit.

“Well, I just came by to give you those. And the coffee, of course. I’ll let you go so you can get ready for work then.”

“Jace,” I call when he turns to leave.

He turns back to me. “Yeah?”

“Do you think it’s childish we still pinkie promise?”

He shakes his head. “No. I just had a moment of weakness, and you came barging in like you owned the place. It was a good one, Simone.” He laughs. “We’ve done that since we we’re kids. It’s our thing.”

I smile. “Okay. Good.”

I admire the flowers while I drink the last bit of coffee. Usually, Jace would flash a cheesy grin and I’d laugh and all would be forgiven.