Page 40 of Between Regrets and Promises (Between Us Trilogy #2)

Sophie snorts as she follows me down an aisle. “Hardly seems fair.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I have a pretty big appetite,” I muse, patting my stomach. “I might do some real damage.”

“Now you’re just trying to amuse me.”

I smirk. “Is it working?”

“No!” she says, but she’s full-on laughing.

Thirty minutes later, we’re back in the truck with both pieces of furniture.

It didn’t take nearly as long since both of our stomachs were growling at the mention of food.

By the evening, her bed has been delivered and set up.

I put her dresser and nightstand together while she washed her new bed set and decorated the room.

She ended up finding a bookcase she wanted online instead, so I help her arrange the area to make sure there’s a spot for it once it’s delivered.

Sophie folded her clothes and unpacked some of her bags, making the room her own.

“I like it. Looks awesome,” I tell her, collapsing on the bed.

“Hey! I just made that!” she playfully scolds.

“And you’re about to sleep in it,” I tease. “What do you think, Soph? An okay place to live for a while?”

She gives me a somber look, the corner of her lips tilting up slightly.

“I think it’s more than okay.” Sophie takes a seat next to me and rests her head on my shoulder.

“I don’t know how to thank you, Mason. You both for letting me stay here.

For helping me. For…protecting me.” She starts to choke up, and I know she doesn’t want to say the words.

I tilt her chin so her eyes meet mine. “And I’d do it all over again if it meant keeping you safe. No matter what.”

Sophie studies my lips, and I swallow hard. Then as if she realizes she’s staring at them, she jerks to her feet and clears her throat. “Well, I think I’m gonna go to bed.”

“Yeah, me too.” I push myself up. “Someone dragged me all over town today.”

“Oh my God.” She laughs, swatting at my chest.

We stand mere inches apart, and I can’t help myself. I need her closer. I wrap my arms around her shoulders and pull her to my chest. “Sleep well in your new room.” Then I lean back, kiss her forehead, and walk away.

“Good night,” she calls out weakly.

Today is a day neither of us have been looking forward to, but I understand Sophie’s reasons for going to that motherfucker’s funeral. She’s too kind to tell his mother the truth, but I’m relieved that Maddie and Lennon are joining her at least.

I make us coffee while she showers and wait for her in the living room. Once she’s dressed and comes downstairs, I hand her the mug with just the right amount of cream and sugar. Her voice is low and soft as she thanks me.

“Soph, you don’t have to go if you’re not up to it. You can say no,” I tell her gently.

It’s going to be a weird and emotionally draining day for her.

She sips her coffee and lowers her gaze. She shrugs before finally meeting my eyes. “I just want to get it over with and move the hell on for good. I feel like this makes it final.”

“Closure,” I confirm, and she nods. “Okay, I get it.” Hell, I get it too much, but I don’t tell her that.

“My sisters will be there, and we won’t stay longer than needed,” she reassures me. “I told his mother I’d give her the key so they could go into his house and clean it out. After that, I’m putting these last six months of my life in the past for good.”

I look at her, noticing how much makeup she’s wearing on her face. I hate that she has to cover up marks that asshole gave her. They’re almost gone now, but I almost wish she’d bare it all so his family can see what a real piece of shit he was.

“You will, Soph. I’ll make sure of it.” I wink, needing to see her smile so I can stomach the idea of her going there. She rewards me with a grin, and that’s enough.

Maddie charges through the front door without knocking and goes to Sophie’s side.

“Well, come on in,” I tease.

“Where’s Lennon?” Sophie asks.

“Her pregnant ass couldn’t keep up.”

“I heard that!” she shouts from the front door before shutting it. “Hey!” She gives us a wave before storming past us. “Gotta pee, hold on.”

Before either of us can say another word, Liam walks down the stairs in only his boxer briefs, and for a split second, I consider giving him a warning that we’re not alone but fuck it. Let fate handle his ass instead.

I study Maddie as she tenses, and her spine goes straight.

She’s watching Liam’s every step as he rounds the banister with half-opened eyes.

His hair is messy as hell, which is his norm.

It’s only tamed after a shower and he finger-combs it.

We’ve been friends and roommates for way too long for me not to know his routine.

Maddie is gawking and possibly drooling at the fact that he’s built like a linebacker, and his shorts aren’t concealing much.

Sophie blinks, shifting her eyes from him, and I wonder if she’s blushing because of how he looks or because we all saw more than we bargained for.

“We aren’t alone, dude,” I tell him, chuckling. He’s halfway to the kitchen when he pauses and glances over his shoulder, finally realizing Sophie and Maddie are on the couch next to me. As if his luck would have it, Lennon comes out of the bathroom at the same time and runs into him.

“Oh my God!” She pushes his chest. “Put some clothes on, Liam!” Lennon covers her eyes as she walks around him.

I laugh, knowing Lennon is one hundred percent devoted to Hunter and will more than likely tell him about this later.

“Yeah, Liam,” I mock. “Your booty shorts are a bit revealing.”

“Last I checked, I live here!” he shouts, flipping me the bird over his head as he continues walking toward the kitchen, no doubt about to snag a cup of coffee.

“Oh my God. I must be dreaming,” Maddie mutters, her body still frozen in place.

Lennon comes over and pinches her arm.

“Hey, what the heck?” Maddie rubs a hand over the spot.

“Just confirming you’re not dreaming and still virginal.” Lennon shrugs with a knowing grin. “Let’s go.”

“That was uncalled for!” Maddie whines, standing up and following Lennon.

I stand with Sophie and walk her to the door. “You’ve got this.”

She nods and pinches her lips together into a small smile. “Thanks. We shouldn’t be too long.”

Wrapping one arm around her shoulders, I pull her into my side, then kiss her forehead. “See ya soon.”

Lennon drives off with Sophie in the front next to her. Maddie’s in the back, leaning forward to be closer to them. I wave to them, and then they’re gone.

“What happened to getting our boys-only crib back?” Liam complains the second I sit on the couch next to him.

I snort at his choice of words. “Sorry, man. Back to pants you go.” Narrowing my eyes at him, I add, “And not only for her sake but also for mine. Did you shrink your clothes or something?” I ask, laughing.

“Dude, shut the fuck up. I was on the road and needed some new ones. These were the closest to my size I could find at the time.”

“You might want to retire them then.” I lean over and grab my mug from the coffee table.

“If you bend over, they’re gonna rip right down the middle.

” I can’t stop laughing as I try to take a sip, and without another word, Liam stands up, pulls his boxer briefs down to his feet, then kicks them off before sitting back down.

“Better?” He faces me with a shit-eating grin.

I fly off the couch, nearly spilling the hot liquid on myself, and glare. “Pretty sure I’ve had a chick on that couch at one point,” I tell him as I head to the kitchen for food.

“Pretty sure I did too,” he calls out.

“Jesus fuck. I’m done with you.”

An hour later, Hunter comes over, and Liam finally gets dressed. I refuse to sit by him in case he decides to do another strip show. Hunter can get that surprise instead.

“So where’s Allie?” I ask when I notice Hunter carrying two six-packs of beer instead of a car seat.

“Mrs. Locke wanted her for the day, which means I’m getting shitty. It’s been way too damn long,” he explains, grabbing a bottle and twisting it open. They’re lucky to have Brandon’s mother in their lives to give them little breaks.

“It’s not even noon.” I can’t help laughing, knowing how exhausted he’s been with their six-month-old. Now that Lennon is pregnant again, Hunter’s probably taking more of the diaper duties at night. He’s been fiercely protective of her ever since she got pregnant the first time.

“It’s five o’clock somewhere.” Hunter chugs his beer until it’s nearly half gone.

“Been rough or what?” I ask, deciding to grab one too.

“Lennon has been sick all week, even worse than the first time she was pregnant. She didn’t have morning sickness then, but certain smells would make her nauseous. Now she’s puking her guts out all day long, so on top of taking care of her, I take the baby at night so she can get some rest.”

Hunter’s a damn saint and loves her more than anything. He has put Lennon’s and then Allie’s needs in front of his own since the day Brandon died, and I’m so proud to call him one of my closest friends.

“So you gonna catch me up? What’s going on with you and Sophie?” Hunter asks after his second beer. “You two getting closer?”

“We’re just friends,” I say as if I’ve rehearsed it. Sucking down my beer, I want to change the subject, but I know Liam’s going to be no damn help.

“Who bought her an entire bedroom set…” Liam adds.

Yep. Asshole .

Hunter raises his brows, smirking. “Have you learned nothing from my experience?”

I roll my eyes. “Not the same thing.”

“Not too far off really,” Hunter states. “You two already hooked up, so?—”

“What the hell? How do you know that?” I ask, glaring at Liam.

“I didn’t, but I do now.” Hunter throws his head back, cackling when he sees my expression.

“Nice one.” Liam fist-bumps him.

“I hate you both.” I finish my drink, then slam it down on the table. “Neither of you are supposed to know that.”

“Well, then you shouldn’t be so damn obvious,” Hunter muses. “Isn’t that what you told me not too long ago? Oh, the irony.”

I roll my eyes. “Fuck off.”

“Okay, seriously,” Hunter says. “Don’t sit around and wait for her, man. You almost lost her once to that asshat. Want to watch her fall in love with another guy? You were almost too late last time, but this is your second chance. Don’t waste it.”

My jaw clenches at the mention of Sophie moving on. That’s the last thing I want, but the baggage I carry is too much.

“It’s not that easy,” I say. “I haven’t been able to settle down with anyone since Emma. She deserves better than a guy who’s weighted down with the guilt of his past.”

“Have you considered telling Sophie? Opening up and exposing those demons you feel are too much for her and letting her decide?” Hunter says so damn confidently as I glare at him.

“When did you become the love doctor?” I snicker, grabbing another bottle.

“You two want to be alone? Jesus.” Liam groans. “Gonna trade recipes next?”

“Oh, sorry. Forgot Mr. Jaded and Anti-Love was here.” Hunter nudges his shoulder. “And if you must know, I found a badass beer cheese dip recipe that’s fucking delicious.”

“What the hell is that?” Liam asks.

I snort, shaking my head.

Hunter meets my gaze again and arches a brow. “I think you’d be surprised by Sophie’s reaction if you told her.”

Swallowing, I look down and shrug before leaning back against the couch.

“You guys know how fucked up I was after that. I drank myself stupid for days, didn’t work, was failing my classes, and not living or coping.

Then my dad being mixed up in it didn’t help matters.

Still doesn’t. He loves throwing that shit in my face, especially now.

There’s a damn black cloud following me, and I don’t want that for her. ”

“You gotta stop blaming yourself,” Hunter says and not for the first time either.

“At the end of the day, it was her choice. If it didn’t happen that night, it would’ve eventually.

She was determined and having the last word to blast you was her way of placing blame on anyone and anything besides herself.

I know you loved her, but she made that choice, Mason. Not you.”

If only I could believe him, I might be able to put that part of my life behind me for good. Until then, it haunts me, and I’m afraid it will for the rest of my life.