Read Online I Promise by Adrianne Byrd - Free Book Online

minute?”
    â€œI have to go after him.”
    â€œAnd tell him what?” Alex yelled. “That you’re sorry?”
    â€œI am sorry.”
    â€œLet him go.” She held Christian’s gaze, then added, “Please.”
    Tears pooled in Alex’s eyes as she pressed her lips together then broke eye contact.
    Christian closed the distance between them, but words failed her.
    â€œI love him,” Alex confessed, returning her gaze to her friend. “I love him.”

Chapter 7
    J ordan arrived at the Industry. He cut the engine of his car and leaned back. Had his brother asked him here to bury the hatchet? When he had spoken to Malcolm over the phone, he could tell that Malcolm had been drinking. Definitely not a good sign. What if his brother had seen him with Christian again? He hoped not. It was one thing to be caught with her once, but twice?
    True, their last meeting was innocent enough, but his brother was nothing if not a hothead. Well, Jordan didn’t have to worry about any more chance meetings with Christian. By tomorrow, she’d be on her way to Texas and out of his and Malcolm’s lives.
    It was good thing, too. Had it been up to Jordan, he didn’t think he had the willpower to stay away from her, regardless of the unwritten rule of not dating your brother’s ex-fiancée.
    â€œWell, let’s get this over with,” Jordan mumbled, getting out of the car.
    No sooner had he turned the corner to the side entrance, than the door burst open and two bodies were hurled into the parking lot.
    Jordan jumped back, then sprang into action at the sight of Malcolm and some giant scuffling. “Hey, get off him!”
    The door burst open again. This time, Christian and Alex rushed out to Malcolm’s aid.
    Malcolm’s assailant relented under Jordan’s punches and stomped off into the night.
    Both Christian and Alex surrounded Malcolm as he attempted to pull himself off the concrete.
    â€œHere, let us help you,” Christian offered.
    â€œGet away from me!”
    Christian masked her hurt over his reaction.
    â€œI don’t need your help.” He shrugged Alex away as well. “I don’t need anybody’s help.”
    Jordan reached out his hand.
    Malcolm managed to pull himself up without assistance. “Especially from you, bro.” He wiped his bleeding lip with the back of his hand, but continued to glare at the surrounding crowd.
    â€œYou’re in no condition to drive. Let me take you home.” Jordan reached for his brother’s arm.
    Malcolm jerked away from his grasp. “Go to hell. I can drive myself home.”
    â€œMalcolm,” Alex pleaded. “Let one of us drive you.”
    Christian’s eyes widened at the tears that spilled down her friend’s face. Love radiated from Alex’s expression. Why hadn’t she ever noticed this before?
    Alex stepped forward. Her gaze locked with Malcolm as the animosity faded from his eyes.
    Malcolm’s shoulders sagged as his belligerent expression softened. He reached out and caressed Alex’s cheek. “Dear, sweet, Alex. You may be the only friend I have left in the world,” he whispered.
    â€œDon’t talk that way,” she whispered. “Please, let me drive you home.”
    Sliding his hands into his pockets Malcolm nodded.
    Christian breathed a sigh of relief, but tensed when Malcolm’s gaze landed on her.
    â€œCome on, let’s go,” Alex urged. She gave Christian an apologetic look.
    Christian mouthed the words that she’d get a ride home before Alex led Malcolm away.
    Christian and Jordan stood alone in the darkened alley.
    â€œAre you all right?” Jordan asked.
    Christian nodded, not able to trust her voice.
    â€œMind if I ask what happened tonight?”
    She shook her head. “I wish I could tell you. He came up to me on the dance floor and started acting crazy.” She straightened her shoulders.