Page 38 of Between Regrets and Promises (Between Us Trilogy #2)

We retreat to the living room where I was folding laundry since I’m living out of my suitcases. They look at the mess and help me pile it on the coffee table so they can take a seat on the couch.

“How’s it going?” Lennon asks.

“Good. Trying to organize my shit.” I grab my books one-handed and set them in a pile.

“Soph.” Lennon’s tone has me turning to look at her. “How is it really going? You okay? You haven’t been too responsive to my texts.”

I sigh, taking a seat. Before I can respond, Maddie strolls in from the kitchen with a popsicle in her hand. I didn’t realize she snuck in there.

“What? There are more if you want one.” She plops down on the end of the couch, then holds her arms out for Allie. I hand her over, then swipe the popsicle out of her grip. “Hey!”

“Those are mine, thank you. Mason bought them for me ,” I taunt.

“So you can’t share?” Maddie gives me a pointed stare.

“Ugh, fine.” I toss it back at her with a grin and see Lennon staring at me. She knows I’m avoiding the conversation at hand.

“Are you going to his funeral?” she asks.

I frown, then shrug. “His mom reached out to me yesterday and gave me the details. If I don’t go, she’ll wonder why her son’s girlfriend isn’t there.

She just lost him, and I don’t want to cause any more pain or stress by explaining to her why I won’t be attending.

He might’ve been a monster to me, but that shouldn’t be his mother’s last memory of him. She didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Yeah, that’s a tricky situation, Soph. I’m sorry.” Lennon frowns.

“We should all go,” Maddie chimes in. “That way you don’t have to do it alone, and we can pull you away if things get weird.”

“Yeah, we’ll go with you,” Lennon agrees.

“You guys would do that for me?” I ask, stunned. They hate Weston almost as much as Mason does, so this won’t be easy for them either.

“Of course,” Lennon says. “Make an appearance and then we can get the hell out of there.”

“Thank you.” I wrap my sister in a hug and hold back the tears threatening to fall.

I’ve tried so damn hard to keep them under control when I’m around other people.

Only in the shower will I let them fall, mixing with the water, but as soon as I’m done, I straighten my spine and push them back again.

I’m not crying for him. I won’t.

“So how has it been living here?” Maddie asks. “I imagine lots of women, beer, and porn on the regular.”

I furrow my brows as Lennon snorts. “Mads!” I scold, narrowing my gaze on Allie.

“She doesn’t know what I’m saying anyway.” She shrugs, then lifts Allie higher on her lap. “Do you, baby girl? No, you don’t,” she says in a high-pitched voice.

“See what you’re leaving me with?” Lennon holds out her hand, which causes me to laugh.

“I babysat her last year, so it’s your turn,” I retort, and we both chuckle. Lennon went through hell after Brandon’s death, and we gave her space to deal with it but only because Hunter was looking after her. Hmm…is Mason my Hunter?

Could he be? Or better yet, does he want to be?

“Is it weird?” Maddie asks.

“Is what weird?”

“Living here with Mason and Liam.”

“No, actually. Aside from the fact that I feel guilty as hell about this whole situation. It’s my fault this happened.

I brought Weston into my life, into our lives, and am the reason we’re all in this mess.

” I haphazardly rub my arm where one of the bruises is still sore from when he grabbed me hard.

“As soon as I can afford it, I’ll find a place and move because the last thing I want is to be a burden when I already feel like I’m to blame for everything. ”

“Like hell you are.” Mason’s booming voice comes from behind us as he walks into the living room.

“Jesus, you scared me,” Maddie scolds. He scared the shit out of me too.

Mason ignores her as he approaches me. He leans over the back of the couch, towering over me.

“You have nothing to feel guilty about, you hear me? He’s the one who made the choice to bring a gun, to lie about his past and job, and treat you like a human punching bag.

I’m not one hundred percent innocent in the events that took place on Saturday, but I’d go to prison for the rest of my life before I’d let you take the blame for any of this. ”

His words hit me like a ton of bricks, and I’m left speechless. The intensity in his eyes pin me in place, and I want to reach out and hug him.

“Mason’s right,” Lennon blurts after the silence gets awkward. “You were the victim, Soph. You can’t continue to blame yourself for any of this.”

My eyes shoot to her, and I hate the look of pity she gives me. I swallow and break my gaze before glancing back at Mason.

“Thank you,” I say softly. “And maybe we should blame Maddie,” I say teasingly, hoping the intense moment between Mason and me fades away.

“What the heck?” she screeches. “How so?”

Playfully, I point a finger at her. “Who made me get that stupid dating app to start?”

She rolls her eyes. “I picked some good ones on there for you, and if my memory serves me correct, you had something to say about all of them,” she says matter-of-factly, flicking her attention to Mason. I panic for a second, worried she’s going to rat me out on why I didn’t pursue them.

“Okay, fine. You’re off the hook,” I quickly say, wanting this conversation to end.

“I’m gonna hop in the shower,” Mason says, touching my shoulder and giving it a light squeeze. He went to the gym a couple of hours ago, and now that I’m looking, I notice his shirt is covered in sweat. He likes to work out and box, but now that he’s not at his day job, he spends more time there.

“Was that not the sweetest, most alpha male thing to say?” Maddie blurts the second Mason heads upstairs.

Oh my God.

I hope he didn’t hear that.

“If you don’t have his babies, then I’m gonna,” Maddie continues.

“Just when we thought it was safe to bring you back into the conversation,” I tease, blushing.

“Seriously, I think my ovaries burst,” Lennon adds, and I narrow my eyes at her.

I groan. “Shut up. Both of you.”

“Speaking of babies and ovaries,” Lennon says. “I never got to tell you guys on Saturday.”

My eyes widen as I study her expression. “Are you pregnant?”

When she smiles with a nod, I open my arms and lunge at her. “I can’t believe it!”

Maddie charges for her next, handing me Allie. “Dude, no wonder you made us stop at Taco Bell earlier.”

We laugh, and this was just the news I needed to hear.

“When did you find out? Do you know how far along?” I ask, bouncing my niece on my knee.

“Probably five or six weeks. I see the doctor next week to confirm. I found out last week and told Hunter on Saturday morning before the wedding, which is why I didn’t get the chance to tell you guys sooner.”

“You’re gonna be a big sister, Allie Kat,” I say, kissing her chubby cheeks. “Two kids under two. Oh my God.” I laugh.

“Yes, I know.” Lennon smiles, but it’s one of pure joy. She and Hunter deserve it, and I’m so happy for them.

We talk and play with Allie for another hour. I avoid bringing up Weston for as long as possible, though they’re both concerned. They’ve already agreed to come to the funeral with me this weekend, and once it’s over, I’ll have closure for good.

Allie starts to get fussy, and Lennon says she’s ready for a nap.

As Maddie changes the baby, Lennon pulls me to the side and gives me a concerned look.

“Listen, I know this is hard for you, and you just want to push it away for now. I’m not going to tell you how to deal with this, considering the way things happened, but I do think you should talk to someone so you don’t bottle it up.

I was doing some research and found these grieving groups.

It’s like group therapy where people who lost someone close to them can chat openly about it.

Even if you aren’t grieving him , you’re grieving the life you thought you’d have.

You did love him at one point, and you’re grieving a loss regardless. It might be something to consider.”

It wasn’t because I’m actively trying not to think about any of it. But I know my sister and how much she loves me, so I give her an appreciative smile. “I’ll think about it. Thanks.”

Do I want to talk about it? Would it help? Or would it open wounds I’m not ready to dissect?

We say our goodbyes, and soon they’re off, leaving me in a quiet house. Mason is in his room, obviously wanting to give us privacy down here. Considering this is his home, I think that’s super nice.

I wake up the next day, sore as hell. As appreciative as I am for being able to stay here, this couch is killing me. I toss and turn all night, unable to get comfortable for too long before I’m forced to find a new position.

Mason strolls down the stairs in nothing but gray sweatpants. I swallow down the lump lodged in my throat at seeing him this early in the morning with messy hair, sleepy hooded eyes, and shirtless with his body on display.

Jesus.

Is this my punishment? Getting to look and not touch?

Fucking brutal.

“Morning,” he says with a deep throaty voice. “You’re up early.”

“Couldn’t sleep,” I say, darting my attention away and pretending to focus on the very interesting coffee table in front of me. “What’re you doing up?”

“Taking you shopping. We leave in an hour.”

My head pops up as he walks through the living room and into the kitchen. His back muscles are a very welcome distraction.

Wait, what ?

“Shopping for what?” I ask, following him.

“Enough is enough, Soph.”

He turns on the coffeemaker, then digs around in the cabinet. “You want some?” he asks, grabbing two mugs before I even respond.

“Sure, yeah. Wait. What’re you talking about?” I ask, going to the fridge for creamer because I need to keep my hands busy before I do something stupid like reach out and touch him.

“You need a bed,” he says, turning to face me, and I blink.

“We have the third room, so you might as well use it. We’ll get a bed, nightstand, and dresser, a bookcase for all your books, and whatever else you need.

No use sleeping on that shitty couch because it’s not that comfortable.

I’ve spent a few drunken nights on it myself. ”

“Mason,” I say softly, placing the creamer on the counter next to him. “I appreciate you giving me the third room, I really do, but I can’t afford all that. I’m already gonna be stretching my budget to pay my portion of the rent, so?—”

“Who said you had to pay rent?” he snaps, narrowing his eyes on me.

“Well, no one, but I’m not gonna live here rent free.”

“You are,” he says, his blunt tone leaving no room for argument, but I push anyway.

“Mason, please don’t treat me like a sick puppy.”

“Soph, I wasn’t.” His voice is genuine, but his expression drops.

“I know you didn’t mean to, but I don’t want anyone’s pity. You’re already being way too nice, so yes, I will pay rent to live here. I’m not a freeloader and want to pay my share. I’ll take on a few extra students to tutor and save up for a bed.”

“Let me buy you a bed, Soph. Please.” Mason takes me by surprise, and I gasp when he steps toward me and grabs my hand. He wraps both of his palms over my fist, then rests it on his chest over his heart. “Let me do this for you.”

“This isn’t picking up a dinner tab, Mason. This is a bed and furniture.”

“Well, it’s my house, and that room needs to be furnished.” He shrugs, knowing I can’t argue that, and flashes a victorious grin.

My shoulders drop as I officially give up the fight. He has a point.

“Fine.” I groan. “But nothing fancy. Super cheap. We’ll go to a thrift store or something.”

The coffee maker beeps as he closes the gap between us, then kisses my forehead. I allow my eyes to close for the briefest moment as I lean into his touch. Then he drops our hands, which I immediately miss.

“Sure, Soph. Cheap,” he deadpans. “Then we’ll get you some sheets, blankets, a lamp, and some décor. You can set it up however you want. Just please, no pictures of babies in flowerpots.”

I snort and laugh. “No babies? Afraid they’ll give you nightmares or something?” I tease.

“It’s not because of me,” he says with a knowing smirk. “Liam.”

This makes me laugh harder. “Why? He thinks it’ll be contagious, and he’ll suddenly have one of his own?”

His smirk deepens. “Exactly. His biggest fear is commitment, and babies have commitment written all over them.”

“Bless the woman who manages to tame him one day,” I tease.

Smiling, he nods while pouring coffee into our mugs, then adds cream and sugar into mine. Butterflies swarm in my stomach because he knows how I like it. I’ve only been here for six days, but it already feels like home.

Mason is home.