Page 24 of Between Regrets and Promises (Between Us Trilogy #2)

Instead of continuing to think about it, I lose myself in music as I typically do when I’m frustrated or upset.

Since Weston’s house is three bedrooms, he’s allowed me to set up an area in a spare room.

I grab my violin, pull the music stand from the corner, and begin to play the songs in my heart.

It’s not surprising when Robert Schumann comes out.

A tortured soul like most of us musicians.

After I’ve played for an hour straight, I take a quick break, then go back to it.

For the past few years, I’ve taught piano on the side, but after I moved in with Weston, I put my lessons on hold.

Considering the mood I’ve been in, I’m thankful for the space from other people, though I could use the money.

Hours pass and my stomach begins to growl, so I eat a banana.

I try to push the thoughts about Weston out of my head and decide I’m going to keep this to myself and give him the benefit of the doubt.

He’s been stressed, and I understand how that can affect everything.

Add alcohol to the mix and it’s a recipe for disaster, but I never thought I’d be on the receiving end.

Though I wasn’t trying to tell him what to do, I understand how it looked from his point of view.

It’s the last thing I wanted, and I wish I could take it back.

I have no appetite, but I force myself to finish, then decide to text Lennon to make sure she can meet me. If she says no, I’m not sure what I’ll do other than beg because Hunter needs her out of the house for his master plan to work.

He has a cute scavenger hunt planned at a park based on fairy tales and bought her a dress to wear that matches the whole theme. A smile hits my lips as I text her, knowing what’s in store for her later.

Since dating Weston, I haven’t hung out with Maddie or Lennon as much as usual, which is my fault.

I love them dearly, but I’ve been focused on my relationship lately.

Weston doesn’t want them to know our personal business and has made several comments about how much I tell my sisters.

So I try to keep everything as private as possible, but it’s hard as hell because I’m so used to sharing every little detail about my life with them. But out of respect for him, I don’t.

When Lennon messages me back, agreeing to meet me, I text Hunter and tell him the plan to get her out of the house worked, but stupid me, I only gave myself fifteen minutes. So I hurry and get dressed, then head to our favorite grocery store.

I have to remind myself not to mention anything about tonight, so I tuck it away deep inside.

With one look, Lennon can tell I’m lying because I suck at it, so as long as I steer the conversation away from unrelated things, I’ll be fine.

I’ll keep the focus on school, since she’s back to teaching again, and my adorable niece.

I’m nervous to meet up with Lennon, considering how strained things have been lately and all the changes happening in our lives.

She hasn’t been unsupportive of Weston’s and my relationship, but she worries about me.

I understand because I worry about her too, especially after Brandon’s unexpected death, everything going on with our parents, and Hunter.

By the time I make it there, she’s already waiting for me by the entrance. As soon as I see her, I smile, and she starts talking as we walk in. I grab a cart, and we head straight to the veggies. I need to keep her here as long as possible to give Hunter enough time to do this thing.

“So how’s school been?” I ask, not making eye contact with her as I push the sleeves up on my sweater and reach for some bell peppers.

“It’s been great. Getting ready for the spring concert next week,” she tells me. A moment later, Lennon grabs my arm and pulls me closer to her. When I look into her eyes, I jerk my arm from her grasp.

She lowers her voice, worry blanketing her tone. This is the last thing I wanted to happen, especially here and when I’m still dealing with my own feelings over it.

“What happened, Soph?” She goes quiet, and I can tell she’s concerned. I feel myself begin to break, so I push my emotions back, not wanting to cry in front of Lennon. I’m stronger than that.

I let out a laugh. “It’s nothing.”

As suspected, she doesn’t buy it. “That’s not nothing.”

Lennon places her hands on her hips and waits for me to explain, but I don’t know where to begin. I can’t tell her how I truly feel about it, so I suck in a slow breath and give her a brief summary. It sounds so stupid coming from my mouth in the middle of a grocery store.

“Did he hit you?” Her eyes scan across my face, and I realize I didn’t add more foundation before I left.

“It was an accident, Lennon,” I say between gritted teeth, trying to push down my embarrassment.

She shakes her head, angry and obviously upset. “You don’t drink too much, then accidentally hit someone. This is not okay.”

I want to change the subject and talk about something else. Anything but this.

“He promised me it would never happen again, okay?” I snap, wanting her to drop it right now.

I think about Weston and everything he’s done over the last few days to make it up to me.

I have to believe it was an accident. A man I love would never do anything to hurt me.

Up until that night, he’s made me extremely happy, and what we have is special.

My anger rises as I continue, “He loves me, Lennon. I know that’s hard for you to believe because no one is allowed to be happy except for you.

” As soon as the words leave my lips, I wince at myself. I shouldn’t have said that.

“Are you serious right now? I want nothing but the best for you and Maddie. That’s total bullshit you’d say that to me.” Lennon turns to leave without looking back at me.

Guilt streams through me along with a handful of other emotions.

I chase after her, not wanting her to leave but knowing she can’t.

I refuse to be the reason Hunter’s plans fall through, and I don’t want my sister mad at me for eternity.

Not when today is going to be one of the happiest days of her life.

“Lennon, wait. I’m sorry. I don’t want to argue with you.

” She ignores me, not making eye contact because I pushed her too far.

“I didn’t mean to say that. I have a lot going on right now and shouldn’t have taken it out on you.

You only want the best for me.” Tears well in my eyes, but I try to keep them at bay.

There’s so much I want to tell her but can’t.

If Weston found out, he’d be pissed, and if Lennon knew how scared I was that night, she’d tell me to leave him.

“You need to be careful, Sophie. It’s not okay for someone to lay their hands on you, no matter what, and I’m worried about you. I already don’t care for the dickface, but then this happens.”

It’s the first time she’s admitted she doesn’t like him although I already suspected as much. None of my friends do, but I wish they’d give him a fair chance. Liam and Mason hate him. Hunter and Maddie don’t seem to care for him either.

“I know,” I finally say. “He promised, though, and I believe him.” I’m not lying when I say those words.

After knowing him for months, I’ve never seen him act that way.

Alcohol makes people do stupid things and so does stress.

His boss has been riding him, and although it doesn’t excuse his behavior, I want to believe he’ll change.

Lennon continues but eventually drops it.

I can tell it’s in the forefront of her thoughts, but I’m relieved all the same.

I chat about Allie and Hunter, about work, and about anything other than myself.

Once I’ve grabbed a few things for lunch and dinner, we check out, and Lennon helps me load my groceries in the car.

Before I leave, she pulls me into a big hug, and I feel something more behind it than usual.

“Please take care of yourself and call me if something happens or if you need to get out because he’s drunk again. Promise me.”

I look at her, noticing a tinge of fear for me in her eyes. I smile to appease her. “I promise. But you have to promise me something too.”

“What’s that?”

“You won’t mention this to anyone. Not even Hunter.

Please,” I beg. The last thing I need is Hunter acting like a big brother and kicking Weston’s ass.

And if Lennon tells him, Mason and Liam will find out too.

It would be a bad situation and put me in a terrible position.

I want to keep this all to myself, and if she hadn’t seen the bruises herself, she wouldn’t know either.

She narrows her eyes. “I will this time. But if I see even the tiniest of marks again, I’m not staying quiet,” she warns. “I will call the cops on him.”

And she went there. The last thing I need is the cops involved in my business too.

Lennon’s blowing things out of proportion, but I don’t dare say that to her.

I explained how he’s been stressed, and I swear to her I’ll let her know if something else happens.

We exchange one last hug before parting ways.

On the way home, I think about what Lennon said, and while I agree with her, she doesn’t know Weston. She doesn’t know how much we love each other. The man would rope the moon for me if I asked. It was a one-time thing, and we’ll work through this and be better for it in the end.

I park and put away the groceries, then jump in the shower to get ready for Lennon’s secret proposal tonight. I’m so damn excited about it that I can hardly stand it.

After I’ve fixed my hair, I make sure I’ve covered the slight bruising on my face and add some foundation down my neck to blend it in.