Complicated Relationships (The Southern Devotion Series Book 3) by Amy McClung Read Free Book Online Page A

laid on my lap for the medical attention and fell asleep in that position. I sighed and turned the television on while I was weighed down by her body. Thank goodness there was a Walking Dead marathon on or I’d have been bored out of my mind sitting there.
    For the next few hours, I watched the gore and drama filled show until my legs were starting to fall asleep. Carefully I pushed Angel aside, and she woke up startled. “Tristan?  Where am I?” 
    “In my bedroom.”
    She grabbed her head, “What hit me?”
    “You hit the coffee table when you almost passed out from drinking possibly two bottles of whiskey. Care to explain why you’re drinking so much alone?”
    Angel stood up, her stance wobbly at best. “I’m going to take some ibuprofen.”
    Steadying her arm, I reached behind me. “Beat you to it. Here take these and drink this entire glass of water. You shouldn’t lie back down. I let you sleep too long; you could have a concussion.”
    She glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “Didn’t you have a date?”
    “I did. Like I said though, you fell asleep and could have a concussion; I couldn’t leave you here alone.”   It was hard to tell if she was embarrassed, angry, or grateful by the look on her face. “Tell me why you’re drinking, Angel.”  Silently she walked from the room. Following close behind her, I vowed, “I’m not letting this go.”
    As I grabbed her arm swinging her around to face me, I noticed the tears streaming down her face. “I don’t know, Tristan. I can’t answer you,” she conceded in a whisper of shame.  Once I wrapped her in my embrace, she began to release the sobs of fear that she’d been holding inside. Something’s happening to her, and if we didn’t help her stop this downward spiral we'd lose her. “Don’t tell anyone, please. I don’t want them to know.” Methodically smoothing her hair with my hand I swore to keep it our secret. “Did I do anything crazy?” 
    “You told me to get out and take my brat sister with me.”  It occurred to me after seeing how appalled she was at her words that I should’ve probably said no or that she was belligerent with no other details.
    “I’m sorry, T! You know I love Macy.”
    Covering her mouth gently with my hand, I said, “I know. Now to show us how much you care I want you to stop drinking.” She opened her mouth to argue when I interrupted. “I mean it. There’s a difference between getting drunk with friends once in a while and getting drunk all alone. If I’m going to keep your secret, you have to be willing to change.”
    Sighing with defeat, she promised to try her best. We went to the fridge and liquor cabinet ridding both of every alcoholic beverage known to man. We spent most of the night talking about her options, looking up groups on the internet. Angel wanted to try it on her own first, well with my help only. I agreed as long as I noticed improvement.
     
     
     
     

Chapter Nine
    Knight in Shining Armor
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    At work tonight, I perused the room hoping to spot Lanie. She hadn’t been back in since the second time I canceled our date. She probably found a new hangout where she’s now telling the bartender about her bad experience with guys this year including me. It made me sad to think of her telling another man her stories.
    A hand pressed against my arm causing me to turn around. “Looking for someone?” Mary Jane asked with a smile.
    “Hey beautiful,” I beamed before giving her a friendly kiss on the cheek.
    “I need some T and Macy time. Can we schedule a day together? Just the three of us like old times?” 
    “Yeah, I’d love that and I know Macy has missed you like crazy! How’re you feeling?” I asked as I noticed her rub her slightly extended belly.
    “Not bad. The morning sickness is better this time than it was with Addison.”  Mary Jane was a surrogate that carried our friend Cameron and Gavin’s daughter Addison. They