Page 3 of Between Regrets and Promises (Between Us Trilogy #2)
MASON
THREE YEARS EARLIER
As sweat drips down my forehead and into my eyes, I punch the bag with as much force as I can, knocking it harshly from left to right. The burn in my knuckles is a welcome pain, especially after the shit day I’ve had.
I didn’t bust my ass for four years and graduate from college two months ago just to fetch coffee, dig important docs out of the trash, or be someone’s personal secretary. I knew I’d be starting at the bottom and have to prove myself, but it’s a little difficult to do that when I’m the bitch boy.
Once I finish my reps, I grab a towel and wipe off my face.
Working out is the only thing that keeps me sane these days.
Between the demons from my past and the guilt I continue to live with, I need this outlet.
Since I joined the real world of adulting, and college football is no longer an option, boxing has saved me.
“Not bad, Holt,” Max says, patting my shoulder. “A little aggressive today.” A couple of months ago, I started working out with a boxing trainer, but he’s already taught me so much. “Session’s over.”
I could go for another thirty minutes, but I shouldn’t overdo it again. The last time I insisted I was fine to continue, I nearly passed out from losing my own breath. My heart pounded so fast and hard, it couldn’t keep up, nearly causing an anxiety attack.
Though it wouldn’t be the first one I’ve had. And I doubt it’ll be the last.
“So how’s the internship treating ya?” he asks as I remove my gloves.
Keeping my gaze focused on my hands, I grunt out my response. “I do what I’m told, day or night.”
“That brutal, huh?” Chuckling, he hands me a bottle of water, then grabs one for himself. Considering he’s been watching me for the past hour, I laugh.
“I want to do more,” I explain. “Get my hands dirty, use the shit I learned in school, and work on cases, but that’s not how it works.”
“You’ll be back at school in the fall, right?”
Putting the cap back on the bottle, I nod. “Yeah, grad school plus taking on internships and gaining work experience will be intense as hell.” Just the thought of the insane schedule I’ll have makes my chest tighten even more, but it’s what I want to do more than anything.
“Wow, man. That’s quite impressive.” He grins.
“Don’t say that yet. I’ll probably flunk out before I finish the first semester.
” I snort, seriously wondering how I’ll manage it all.
Thankfully, these are paid internships, though it’s not much.
Unfortunately, that’s where my father steps in and plays the proud dad who’s footing the bill for my tuition.
Outsiders say I should be thankful for his help, but I’m just a pawn in his career to make him look good.
It gives him bragging rights that I went to a good university, had good grades, and landed an internship.
However, he’s disappointed I didn’t follow in his footsteps and become an attorney too.
He treats me as if his legacy will live through me even though I don’t want that.
“Doubt it,” he says. “See you next week?”
“You got it.” We bump fists, and I take off for the showers.
Once I’m cleaned and dressed, I check my phone and see a group text from the guys.
I’ve known them all since freshman year when we rushed a fraternity together.
Brandon, Hunter, and Liam are my ride or dies, and I’m grateful to have them help balance the personal shitstorm that consistently fucks with my life.
Brandon
Drinks tonight? Meet at 8.
Hunter
I’m working late tonight, but I’ll try.
Liam
I’ll see if I can fit it into my very busy schedule.
Mason
Don’t be a dick, Evans. We all know you’re sitting on the couch with your hand down your pants. In fact, I’m on my way home, so I better not walk in on you fondling yourself again.
Brandon
Again?
Liam
That was one time…
Mason
One time too many!
Brandon
I’m bringing Lennon, so could you both keep your hands out of your pants?
Liam
And for your information, I’m not home. Currently preoccupied by a lady friend.
Mason
Then why are you on your phone if you’re sooo busy?
Liam
Fuck off. I have one free hand.
Brandon
Dude. Lennon read that.
Liam
Grow some balls, Locke. Going to be doing a couples massages next?
Brandon
Don’t be jealous, Evans. Open your heart to love, and you could get a couples massage too.
I snort at the thought of Liam being with any girl longer than a weekend.
Liam
Hard pass.
Mason
Just leaving the gym. Meet you guys there.
Liam
Come pick me up before this chick ties me up and does some weird, freaky shit to me.
Mason
HARD PASS.
Brandon
Thought you liked that?
Liam
Fuckers. Hate you both.
I chuckle, shaking my head as I stuff my phone in my pocket.
Liam’s been my roommate since we moved out the summer after freshman year.
We didn’t want to live on campus anymore and found a three-bedroom house close enough to walk if we wanted.
The following summer, we added a third roommate, but she’s busier than both of us, and we hardly ever see her anymore.
Once I’m home, I shower, eat, get dressed, then hang out for a bit before I get too bored and leave for the bar early. It’s Friday night, and after the week I’ve had, I need a drink or two.
I walk into the Coliseum and see the guys haven’t arrived yet.
Not that I should be too surprised. Liam’s always late, and Brandon probably got lost in his bed with Lennon.
They’ve only been dating for a few months, but I can tell he’s head over heels in love with her already.
It’s sickeningly cute, but I’d never admit that aloud.
Lennon’s a year younger than us, and now that she’s on summer break, she and Brandon are attached at the hip. When he suggested a time to meet up, I should’ve known that actually meant an hour later.
Instead of calling them out for their tardiness, I order a beer. We’ve been coming here since before we could legally drink, so the bartender knows us all by name.
“Riding solo tonight, Holt?” Dan asks as he grabs me a beer.
“Nah, just waiting on everyone.” He hands over a bottle, and I ask him to start a tab.
Ten minutes pass, and I check my phone to see Hunter got caught up at work and will be late.
We graduated two months ago, and the asshole already has a full-time job in construction management.
Not that he didn’t work his ass off for it.
I’m just bitter that I still have to finish graduate school, complete internships, and gain more work experience before I can apply for my dream job as a forensic investigator.
Three more years and I’ll hopefully be doing what I truly want with my life.
I send him a snarky text and tell him to hurry.
However, knowing Hunter, he’s probably just making excuses so he can skip.
He’s been doing that a lot lately, mostly since Brandon started dating Lennon, and I’m convinced it’s not a coincidence.
In fact, I think he’s avoiding her on purpose, which means one of two things: he thinks she’s annoying to be around and can’t stand their PDA, or he secretly wants to fuck her.
My money’s on the latter.
Though he’d never admit it since his loyalty to Brandon is solid. He’s a smart guy for staying away as much as possible, which will be a lot easier once she’s back at school in the fall.
Just as I’m finishing my first beer, a brunette bombshell comes to the bar, and it takes me only seconds to decide I need to buy her a drink.
Dan asks what she wants. She sucks in her plump bottom lip, hesitating.
“Jack and Coke, please,” she finally orders, setting down her clutch. I take the opportunity to run my gaze down her body and notice how beautiful she is. She has a section of her hair in a braid that wraps around the top of her head like a headband, which looks sexy as hell.
“Put hers on my tab, Dan, and bring me another, please.”
“And who might you be?” She raises a flirty brow.
I study her features as if I’ll be tested on them later. Her sun-kissed skin looks so damn smooth that I’m tempted to reach out and touch her just to see if I’m right.
“Mason,” I respond, smirking at the way she’s looking me up and down. Leaning toward her, I whisper, “And what’s your name?”
“Well, I guess since you bought me a drink, you’ve earned the right to know,” she taunts as Dan places the glass on a napkin in front of her and scoots another beer toward me. “Thank you, by the way.”
“You’re welcome…” I linger, waiting as she takes her first sip.
“Sophie,” she finally responds with a sweet smile.
“That’s a beautiful name,” I tell her. “Sophie.”
“Thank you.” She grabs her clutch and glass, then steps back.
“Wait.” I reach out and gently grab her arm. “Aren’t you gonna stay?”
Sophie’s gaze lands on my hand before shifting to my eyes. “It takes more than one drink to seduce me.” Her voice is filled with temptation and fire. “But since I’m waiting for my sister, I guess it won’t hurt to sit here.”
“Wow, thanks for making me feel like an obligation,” I tease as she takes the seat next to me. “I wasn’t trying to seduce you, by the way.”
“That so? Because I think that’s exactly why you bought me a drink,” she accuses, the corner of her lips tilting up. “But if it makes you feel any better, it’s not much of a hardship, considering the view.”
I cock my head, taking the small victory. “Good. Cheers then.” Clinking my bottle with her glass, we both take a drink. “So how many would it take?” I wink, and when she blushes and laughs, I know she’s as interested as I am.
We talk for a few minutes before I ask Dan to get us another round. He gives me a knowing look and arches his brow when he sets them down in front of us.
“So you’re meeting your sister here? Is she late, or are you early?”
“Early. I didn’t feel like going all the way home and then driving back the same way, so I came straight from rehearsal,” she explains, playing with her straw.