Page 21 of Between Regrets and Promises (Between Us Trilogy #2)

MASON

FIVE MONTHS EARLIER

I finish stocking the cases of beer and wine I bought for the party in the fridge.

Tonight, we decided to relive our college days and throw a huge New Year’s Eve party.

Liam and I invited every person we know, and I expect a house full.

It’s been a while since we’ve let loose and hung out with our friends.

Though lately, it’s been a bit difficult.

Since Lennon had her baby a few weeks ago, Hunter’s been helping her in any way he can. He’s been by her side since the day Brandon died. Their relationship has formed into more, though neither will admit it.

Lennon’s gonna make a great mom, and Alison’s going to be spoiled rotten, especially if Liam, Sophie, Maddie, and I have anything to do with it.

It hasn’t been easy on any of them. We’re all still grieving the loss of Brandon, and not a day goes by when we don’t think about him.

But out of all of us, Hunter has had it the worst. It’s obvious how much he loves Lennon, how much he’s always loved her, and though he was an asshole to her in the beginning, we know he’d do anything for her now.

He’s stepped up to fill the shoes of his best friend, which is more than admirable.

I texted him a few days ago and invited him to the party, but he refused to leave Lennon at home with the baby, which is understandable since it’s only been a couple of weeks. Lennon still needs help, and he won’t leave her side. If it were me, I’d do the same thing.

“Did you get champagne?” Liam asks from behind, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Damn. I knew I was forgetting something.”

“We can’t toast at midnight unless there’s champagne,” he argues.

It takes everything in me not to burst out into laughter. Ever since I’ve known him, he’s always had a soft spot for traditions.

“Don’t know what to say. You go to the store. It was a madhouse. I’m surprised I made it out with everything I did. One of the frats is throwing a huge ass party, so the liquor stores have been wiped,” I explain.

I open the fridge and pull out a bottle of Dom Pérignon.

“Happy?” I ask, waving my hand for him to see the expensive bottle of champagne.

“You’re a dick.” He smirks. “You know Sophie is bringing someone tonight, right?”

I somehow keep a straight face. “So?”

“So… He raises a brow. “Don’t want you to get your panties in a knot about it.”

I pull a beer from the fridge and twist it open. “Why would I care?”

He shrugs. “Okay. Whatever you say.”

My heart gallops in my chest as Liam walks away laughing.

Bringing someone? Who? It’s been a while since I’ve seen or spoken to her, but she’s been busy with performances because of the holiday season.

It’s always a hectic time for her plus with the arrival of the baby.

Hunter’s randomly thrown it into our text convos that she’s been at the apartment.

Part of me feels blindsided by Sophie dating, but I shouldn’t. I’m sure it’s because of that stupid ass app that Maddie was so fucking pushy about.

I finish my beer and open another. Hopefully, by the time she arrives, I’ll have had so much I won’t even care that she’s here with someone else.

An hour passes and the house is full of people from all different times of Liam’s and my life.

Work and college friends, some of the neighbors, and a few people I don’t know.

I continue to drink my worries away and am relieved when Sophie isn’t on time.

I halfway wonder if she decided to stay away and won’t show.

I’d rather that because I’m not sure I could handle seeing her with another man, though it’s my own damn fault.

I can’t expect her to wait around for me forever because that’s how long it may take me to get over my own bullshit.

Ellie, one of the girls who works with Liam, has been eyeing me all night. She walks over to me and strikes up a conversation, talking about her job, but I’m hardly listening.

The door opens, and Sophie walks in. I zone out by how gorgeous she looks with classic red lips and her hair pulled up halfway, showing the softness of her neck I once tasted.

She takes a few steps, and that’s when I see her date.

There’s nothing special about him—tall, dark hair, wearing a stupid polo shirt and khakis.

His eyes stay focused on Sophie as if she gets out of his sight, he’ll strike like a snake ready to attack.

Immediately, I hate him.

Sophie introduces Mr. Douche to Liam, and I try to focus back on Ellie even though she’s already realized I’m not paying attention. Her eyes follow my gaze, and she spots Sophie.

“You like her or something?” she asks, and it’s the first time anyone has ever thrown that question at me. Do I like her? Fuck, if I could, I’d love her. But I keep that to myself.

I look at Ellie, giving her my full attention. “No. She’s a friend. Really good friends with Liam.”

She. “Oh, so he likes her?”

Shaking my head, I laugh, then take a sip of my beer, placing my back toward Sophie. It’s better I don’t see her right now, not when she’s looking so deliciously distracting.

“No. Liam is like the Grinch. His heart is three sizes too small.”

This causes her to laugh, which makes me chuckle.

Ellie is a nice girl, and she keeps throwing me those “let’s fuck” vibes, but I can’t go there with her.

Ever since Sophie, I haven’t been with another woman.

I’ve tried, but I’m pretty sure she broke my dick that night in the bathroom.

She’s the only woman I want, but my head and heart are too damn stubborn to give in.

It’s the only way I can protect her from me and the black cloud that follows me around.

Sophie giggles in the corner and that guy’s hands all over her, touching her, pulling her closer to him until they kiss.

My jaw clenches, and I excuse myself. Walking away from Ellie, I go to the kitchen, needing to be alone.

As I place my hands on the counter and suck in a deep breath, Liam enters.

“You mad, bro?” When he chuckles, I want to punch him right in the throat.

“Shut the fuck up.” I let out a breath, one that feels as if it were smothering me from the inside out.

“Listen. You had plenty of chances to be with her. And I knew, I fucking knew you seeing her with someone was gonna do this, so that’s why I warned you.”

He’s right, of course, but I’d never admit it out loud. I can’t.

Moving closer, he places his hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “I understand how hard it’s been since Emma, and I also know what trying to move on means and that you might not be ready for that yet. Regardless, I’m here for you, always. You know that.”

Liam’s words are sincere, and all I can do is thank him. Only a few people in my life know what happened, and Liam was there for me through the heartache.

“Thanks. Wanna do a shot?”

I don’t give him the chance to respond. I grab two shot glasses from the cabinet and fill them full of Jack.

We take them down in one gulp, and when he walks away, I take another.

For some reason, I only drink this much when I’m around Sophie—as if I’m trying to drink her and the memories of us away, but it never works.

Eventually, I go back into the crowded living room, and that’s when I spot Maddie.

Of course she’s stealing the spotlight, something she’s great at.

Most of the single guys are paying attention to her as she talks about dancing professionally, but I have a feeling they think she’s a stripper, which makes me laugh.

She’s got the moves, that much is sure. I stand off to the side and chat with a few of my fraternity brothers and our neighbor, Kilan.

I try to ignore Sophie and halfway succeed.

That is, until she moves across the room toward me, pulling her date behind her.

“Mason! There you are!” When she looks at me, she’s smiling with a twinkle in her eye. I force out a smile, but it fades when she introduces me to Weston, her boyfriend . Well, that escalated quickly.

I shake his hand, hard , and he returns the pressure. There’s nothing like a solid handshake, but he takes it to a level it shouldn’t have gone, almost as a warning to stay away from his woman.

“Nice to meet you,” I lazily say.

He places his arm around her, and she leans into him, the way couples do. “Babe, you need another drink?” Weston asks her sincerely.

“I’m okay right now.” The way she looks at him makes my stomach turn.

“So how’d you two lovebirds meet?” I finally ask, already knowing the answer to the question but want them both to confirm.

Weston begins the story as he holds Sophie tight against him, not letting her go.

“From the moment I saw her picture online, I knew she was the one. I messaged her, and she instantly responded, and we’ve been inseparable ever since.

If I could spend the rest of my life with her, I would.

” He leans over and places a kiss on her lips, and she melts into him. It’s fucking hard to watch.

“You will ,” she whispers, and it drives a knife straight through my heart. My vision blurs as I try to focus on something else and chug the rest of my beer.

“Well, congrats. Hope you two are happy together,” I finally say, wanting Sophie to have all the happiness in the world even if it can’t be with me.

But I don’t have a good feeling about this dickwad.

I need another drink, so I walk away, letting them have their moment.

I’m gonna pay for it tomorrow with a massive hangover but fuck it.

I don’t want any memory of seeing her with another guy.

Liam set up beer pong on the pool table, just like old times, and a group of guys are in the back room whooping and hollering with each ball that’s sunk in a cup. I stand close by and watch, but I’m really keeping an eye on Sophie and her boyfriend.