Page 41 of Between Regrets and Promises (Between Us Trilogy #2)

SOPHIE

I didn’t cry for him. I won’t.

I’ve already done enough of that while he was alive.

Weston’s mother is beyond distraught, hysterical even, and while I feel bad that she lost her son, the relief that he’ll never be able to hurt me, or anyone else again, overrides those feelings of guilt.

Throughout the service I’m numb, almost in shock, as people share stories about Weston.

The entire room believes he was a good, loving man, and it makes me sick to know so many people are celebrating an abusive manipulator.

As the pastor continues, I’m torn between the guilt of his death and the happiness knowing I’m free from him.

He tried to kill Mason.

He would’ve killed me.

And if I would’ve escaped him, whoever he trapped next would’ve been the new target. Weston was an emotionless monster who didn’t understand compassion on the most basic level. I’m still not sure how I ever fell for a man like him.

As soon as the funeral service is over, Lennon and Maddie escort me out of the building, and we leave.

Part of me wants visual confirmation that he’s actually gone, never capable of ruining my life again, but I don’t stay for the burial.

Sadness weighs heavy on my chest, but I refuse to feel sorry for him or give him any power.

I don’t want to feel bitter or angry because that’s still allowing him to affect me from the grave.

It’s over now. It’s really over.

The healing can finally begin, hopefully.

Once we’re back in the car, we’re all silent, and it takes a few minutes to realize Lennon isn’t driving us back to the house.

“You need a drink and some food,” Lennon says as if she read my mind. “Then I’ll take you home.” She finally looks at me. “Plus, we need sister time.”

“Yes!” Maddie adds from the back seat, though she wedges herself between us as much as she can. “Did you guys see the package on Liam? How did that thing not impale you and get you pregnant?” she asks Lennon.

“Oh my God…” I laugh, pushing Maddie’s hand off my seat. “She’s already pregnant, for one.”

“Why do you think I pushed him away?” Lennon snickers. “He’s a…beast. To say the least.” I watch her expression and am almost certain I see her blush.

“So since I’m not well experienced in the area of penis size?—”

“Maddie!” I shout.

“Would you rather I google it?” she retorts. “You’re my big sisters. You’re supposed to tell me these things!”

“Fine,” Lennon says, giving me a look and shrugging. “Liam is definitely…well-endowed. Let’s just say that.”

“And can we talk about that man’s ass? I could bounce a quarter off that thing,” Maddie adds.

“Does Hunter know you check out other men’s penises?” I taunt, batting my eyelashes at her.

Lennon glares and her nostrils flare. “Don’t make me turn this car around and tell Mason you want to jump his bones and lock you two into a bedroom until you finally fuck it out. Because I will.”

“Her hormones are crazy, Soph. She’ll do it,” Maddie says matter-of-factly.

I roll my eyes at her threats. “Wouldn’t matter anyway.

He’s made it perfectly clear we’re only friends.

Roommates. Thinks of me like a sister. And now probably a damsel in distress he has to save.

In fact, he probably pities me. It doesn’t mean Mason wants me.

He’s had the chance to say something for years. ”

“So give him a second one,” Maddie says confidently. “You live in the same house now.”

“It’s too soon, Mads,” I tell her genuinely. “As much as I wanted Mason before, the timing is all wrong. In fact, that seems to be the story of our lives.”

Lennon parks the car, and I didn’t realize we were at a Mexican restaurant. “What do you mean?” She gives me a puzzled look as if she’s studying my face, then her eyes widen. “Did something already happen between you two? Like before? Before Weston? When? Recently?”

She’s rambling off so many questions that my head spins. Knowing I can’t push this conversation off any longer, I suck in a deep breath before releasing it.

“I’m gonna need a couple of drinks in my system before we talk about this.”

An hour later, I’m three drinks in, and Maddie and Lennon are looking as if they’re about to wring my neck for keeping this secret from them.

“Oh my God!” Lennon’s outburst nearly has me spewing my drink all over her. She’s been staring with her mouth open, shocked as hell when I confess the real story of how Mason and I first met that night.

“In the bathroom? How does that even work?” Maddie asks.

“Like…you want a play by play?”

“I know how sex works, but in a bathroom? Ew!”

“I’m with Mads on this one.” Lennon snickers.

“It wasn’t ew !” I laugh, my cheeks burning with heat.

“It was hot and spontaneous and probably should’ve never happened, but it did.

It’s made things weird for sure, but I think we’re finally over that.

I think of Mason as one of my closest friends now.

I know it’s only been a week since the incident, but it’s as if we’ve been able to pick up where we left off years ago.

Before all the awkwardness, even before Weston and I met. ”

Just saying his name aloud makes me want to vomit.

“You two are gonna do it again,” Maddie says casually before taking a sip of her soda. “I’m calling it.”

“Oh, I’d put money on that bet.” Lennon nods. “I had a feeling about him. The way he tried to pretend you didn’t exist and purposely gave you short answers. It was as if he was trying to shield himself from falling for you. But why ?”

“Yes, why?” Maddie says in a mocking tone, pursing her lips together. “Let’s dissect this and figure out what Mason’s deep issues are and why he won’t fuck you again.”

“God, Maddie.” I nudge her. “Can we talk about your sex life instead? Oh wait…” I taunt, knowing that’ll get her off this subject.

“Ugh.” She groans. “I think I’m gonna sell it off. I mean, why not get paid for something so many men want to experience? Deflowering a virgin, that’s gotta be worth a few grand at least! Plus, I could use the money and maybe buy myself a damn car.”

“You are not selling your V-card!” I scold, though I’m happy that they’re done talking about my life for once.

“There are websites and apps for it! I’m so doing it!” she threatens, unlocking her phone, but I’m quick to grab it out of her hands.

“Do I need to call our parents and let them know their youngest daughter, their baby, is looking not only to have sex before marriage but also sell herself to a man? You want to have that conversation?”

Maddie rolls her eyes and relaxes her shoulders as if she doesn’t give a shit. “Why don’t you send them a picture of my tattoo while you’re at it too? Give them a stroke for sure.”

I slam her phone down on the table in front of her. “Someone dropped you as a child, didn’t they?”

Lennon chuckles, then excuses herself for the third time to go pee.

“I’m keeping my eyes on you,” I half-threaten when the three of us walk back to the car. “I’ll hire Liam to be your personal security if I have to.”

“Oh no, don’t do that…” she deadpans. “Don’t have the big, burly, and well-endowed man follow me around at all hours of the day!” She puts her hands up in a mock prayer.

“I’m done with you,” I say, pushing her away.

“You had that coming,” Lennon tells me. “She’d probably climb Liam like a tree and give him a run for his money.”

“Let us all pray for his safety instead then.”

Later that night as I lie in my new bed and look around my new room, I find my mind circling with thoughts I can’t seem to sort out.

Lennon’s words from earlier in the week about finding a grieving support group weigh on my shoulders.

Maybe she’s right, and I should look for a way to cope with my emotions and how this really affects me.

Instead of rolling over to go to sleep, I grab my phone and search for local groups, and after a few minutes, I find a grief circle at a church that isn’t far.

I read about what it is, who it’s for and how it can help, and decide to give it a chance.

If it’s not for me, then at least I tried and won’t go back.

With my mind decided, I lock my phone and bury my head in my pillow to drift off to sleep.

The next morning, I’m woken up by a knock, and when I peel my eyes half open, I find Mason in the doorway with two mugs.

A girl could get used to waking up like this every day.

“Morning, sleepyhead.” He smirks, walking all the way in. My eyes scan down his body, enjoying the view as my gaze shoots back up to meet his expression with one brow arched.

“Uh, hi,” I croak, then clear my throat.

Sitting up, I blink a few times until my eyes adjust to the lights, then lie against the headboard. Mason sets my coffee on the nightstand before coming to sit near my feet.

“Your bookcase arrived this morning,” he says, then takes a sip. “I put it together for you, so I just need to bring it in here.”

My eyes widen in shock. “Wait, what? How?” That one-day shipping wasn’t a joke.

I grab my phone and look at the time. “It’s noon! Oh my God, why didn’t you wake me sooner? I could’ve helped you.”

“Seemed like you needed to catch up on sleep, so I let you rest.” Mason shrugs as if it wasn’t a big deal.

He’s not wrong. It’s been one of the hardest weeks of my life, and I wouldn’t have been able to get through it without him and my sisters.

Mason’s been going out of his way for me, and I can’t help but wonder if it’s because he’s trying to make up for pretending I didn’t exist for the past three years or because he feels guilty for what happened between us in that bar bathroom.

I sure as hell hope it’s not the latter.

“Seriously, thank you.” I reach over and place my hand over his. “I appreciate it. Everything. I appreciate this all so much.”

“You’re welcome, Soph. I’ll do whatever I can to help. I woke up early anyway. I’m going a little stir-crazy not working.”