Complicated Relationships (The Southern Devotion Series Book 3) by Amy McClung Page B

have to keep up the tough guy exterior; it’s alright to show a soft side now and then. If this doesn’t work, I’ll show up on her front porch in parachute pants and dance hammer style all over her front yard. Technically that song came out in 1990 but I’m willing to embarrass myself in any decade to win this girl back. I’m not sure if what I feel for her is love yet, but I know that I like how I feel about her, and I don’t like being away from her.
    Cameron left and promised to call after he dropped the package off at her house. The next few hours were excruciating as I stared at my phone waiting for one of them to contact me.
    The doorbell rang saving me momentarily from my misery. Lanie stood on my front porch in a pair of jean shorts and a light pink t-shirt looking more beautiful than the last time I’d seen her. She lifted her arm and unclenched her fisted hand to reveal a small diamond stud.
    “I don’t have any piercings.”
    She grinned, “That’s why I bought a magnetic earring. In keeping with the eighties romantic movie gestures. I'm not a Princess by any means, nor are you a criminal, but still.”
    I took the stud from her and placed it on my earlobe with the magnet in back holding it in place. “How does it look?”
    She shrugged, “Well you’re no John Bender, but it’ll do.”  Neither of us could stop grinning at this moment. It was as though a personal joke had been passed between us that no one else would get.
    “I love my mix tape. That’s the most romantic gift a man has given me.”
    I smirked and decided to say my thoughts out loud, “In keeping with the eighties' theme; you look pretty in pink.” 
    She let out a burst of laughter that echoed through the foyer. I always wanted to see her this way, laughing and happy. “Come in.”  I sat on the couch first so that she could determine how close we sit to each other; it exhilarated me when she sat right next to me with our legs pressed against each other.
    “Cameron is a sweetheart. I wish you’d delivered it, but I appreciate the reason you didn’t. I’ve missed you a lot. The truth is since you hadn't called; I was terrified to make the first move.” Before I could defend my actions, she stopped me. “I know I told you to give me time, but I’m a woman and we rarely mean what we say.” She winked at me. “Seriously, you hurt me pretty badly Tristan. I need you to promise that if we start this again we have to keep the honesty in our relationship.”
    "I promise." With a deep intake of breath, I closed my eyes and decided to break my promise to someone else. "Angel is an alcoholic. I spent the last few days helping her rid the house and her car of all liquor. I made a promise to her that I'd help her get through this and regain her sobriety. I also promised I wouldn't tell anyone unless she didn’t follow through on her part. I don’t want to keep anything from you, so I need you to keep this secret for me."
    "My lips are sealed. Tristan, that's a lot of responsibilities for you to take on. Are you sure you can help her? Shouldn't she go into a program with professionals?"
    "She doesn’t want to be locked up. I gave her a month to make significant changes. After that, she promises to go into rehab. For now, I'm going to attend meetings with her."
    "Oh, like the ones for loved ones of alcoholics?" Her voice doesn’t display jealousy as much as the uncertainty of my feelings.
    "Angel and I are friends, Lanie. We slept together one night, vowed we'd never tell anyone and that it wouldn't happen again. If I had been sober, I'd never have slept with her. There has never been that kind of feelings between us."
    "I believe you."
    Three simple words never sounded more convincing. It took a weight off my shoulders to know I didn’t have to fight for her to believe me. Past girlfriends have had issues with me having female friends.  Cheating was something I've never even come close to doing. My theory is that if I'm