Page 46 of Between Regrets and Promises (Between Us Trilogy #2)

MASON

Sophie’s been running around the house all day, cleaning, cooking, and stressing over all these tiny details.

I can’t tell if it’s nerves or if it’s a coping mechanism.

I’ve asked if I can help with anything a dozen times, and she gives me stupid little tasks such as making sure my room is clean.

When I asked her why it mattered, I got some half-ass reasoning as she waved me away.

It’s to a point where I’m a little worried so I go against my better judgment and text her sisters in case I should be concerned or if this is something she does.

Mason

Your sister is cleaning like a mad woman. Is this her normal nervous behavior?

Lennon

What kind of cleaning are we talking here?

Maddie

Well, she does live with two guys. I’d be cleaning like a crazy person too.

I roll my eyes at her jab.

Mason

Well, she’s currently mopping the ceiling…

Maddie

Oh shit.

Mason

What?

Lennon

That’s level red.

Mason

Meaning what?

Lennon

She’s gone manic.

Maddie

Without even having to take the good stuff.

Mason

What the fuck are you two talking about? English, please!

Lennon

You know when a person takes Adderall who doesn’t need it so instead of it calming them down, it does the opposite effect? That’s Sophie without having to take meds.

I’m growing more uneasy with each text they send back.

Mason

What triggers it? Nerves?

Lennon

Stress, anxiety, emotional breakdown.

Maddie

It’s happened a few times before.

Mason

WTF? So what am I supposed to do? How do I help her?

Lennon

Honestly, you’re better off leaving her alone and letting it run its course. She pretends to be strong for so long before her emotions bubble over and she’s forced to deal with it.

I’m not sure I should tell them about the nightmare she had a few nights ago, so to avoid getting on Sophie’s shit list, I keep it to myself. Honestly, they may already know anyway.

Mason

Well, I’m concerned because she’s running around with her earbuds in, and I don’t think she’s stopped moving in three hours.

Maddie

Get her to drink some OJ or some kind of juice. It’ll level out her blood sugars.

Mason

Okay. Anything else?

Lennon

If you can calm her without freaking her out, that might work to settle her nerves.

Maddie

Banging her up against a door might work.

Lennon

Maddie!

Maddie

It’s a valid suggestion!

Mason

Jesus Christ.

Lennon

Ignore her.

Maddie

Rude!

Mason

Thanks for all your help…

Lennon

She’ll be okay. Just be there for her.

I lock my phone and tuck it into my pocket. Fuck, I don’t know what to do.

After hearing rattling in the kitchen, I jump off the couch and head toward her. With shaking hands, she grabs the dinner plates from the cabinet. Since I tower over her, I grab them from behind her before she drops them on the floor.

“Oh, thanks. They were a little higher up than I could reach. Can you grab those glasses for me too? I’ve polished the silverware, so those are good to go.

Now I need to find a nice serving tray and—” She’s rambling so fast I can barely keep up with what she’s saying.

Once I set the plates down on the counter, I grab Sophie’s shoulders and turn her around so she’s forced to face me.

Her eyes widen at the sudden movement as I steady her.

“Soph, slow down,” I firmly tell her. “You’re running in circles around the place and?—”

“I’m fine. I don’t have time to slow down. The party starts in a few hours, and I have a million more things to do and?—”

Thinking about what her sisters said, I say to hell with it and improvise. Before she can speak another word, I cup her face and slant my mouth over hers, fusing our lips together. After a couple of seconds, her body relaxes against mine as if she’s giving me permission to continue.

Knowing I can’t let this go much longer, as much as I fucking want it to, I reluctantly pull away. Tasting Sophie again after all this time might be the death of me.

I stare down as she catches her breath, and I wonder if she’s going to slap me. When she finally blinks up at me, confusion is written all over her face.

“What was that for?” she asks softly, bringing a finger up to her lips.

“You were starting to lose it and clearly needed to be brought back down to earth,” I tell her, hoping the excuse is valid enough for her to believe. “You’re stressing out, Soph.”

“So…kissing me was to shock me or something?” she asks, and I can’t tell if she’s offended or relieved I snapped her out of it.

Swallowing, I release my hold on her and brush a hand through my hair. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to answer or if I should reveal what her sisters told me.

“You were freaking me out. Sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. I wanted you to slow down before you?—”

“No, I got it. It’s fine,” she says, her voice sharp. “ I’m fine. ”

“Let me help. Please.”

Sophie nods, and her chest is still rapidly moving. That kiss was maybe ten seconds, but it was the best one I’ve had in a long time. Since the last time I kissed her three years ago.

“You can set the table, and I’ll finish prepping the food.”

“Deal.”

When the doorbell rings a few hours later, Sophie is mostly back to her normal self. I can tell she’s a bit anxious, but it’s better than before. I answer the door to greet Hunter, Lennon, Allie, and Maddie.

“Hey, man. Hey, there’s my favorite little lady.” I reach over and kiss Allie’s cheek.

“What am I? Chopped liver?” Maddie steps in around me, scoffing.

“Don’t mind her. She’s sexually frustrated.” Lennon snickers, handing Allie off to Hunter. I usher them into the living room where Liam is already waiting with a case of beer. He wasn’t too excited about this formal dinner either, but I reminded him it was for Sophie, so he caved.

“Soph, your sisters are here,” I call up the stairs. She’s been in the bathroom for almost an hour.

“Coming!”

“She doing better?” Lennon leans over and whispers.

I take two beers and hand one to Hunter before twisting the cap off mine. “Yeah, I did what Maddie suggested, and she’s all good now.”

Hunter nearly chokes on his beer, looking up at me. By his reaction, my guess is Lennon read him our text messages.

“Really?” Maddie squeals, and Lennon scowls at her for being so loud.

“No!” I narrow my eyes.

“Pussy,” Maddie whispers.

“You’ve got quite the foul mouth,” I taunt, then glance at Liam, who’s purposely avoiding the conversation.

“So, Hulk. You ready to make a woman out of me yet?”

Maddie has balls, I’ll definitely give her that. She’s young, probably too young for Liam, but she doesn’t let that deter her from hitting on him as often as she can.

“I don’t mess around with jailbait,” he throws out before taking a long swig of his beer.

“I’m twenty!” she argues. “Do I need to show y’all my driver’s license? I’m not a kid.”

Lennon chuckles, and I shake my head. Poor Liam doesn’t know what to do with a woman like Maddie.

Though he should be used to girls throwing themselves at him, Maddie isn’t just some girl.

She’s in our inner circle, and she’s not the hit-it-and-quit-it kind.

He’s smart to keep his distance even if Maddie is a hell of a catch.

Before any of us can answer her, Sophie comes downstairs, happily greeting her sisters and niece.

I look at her, nearly choking on the air around me as I take in how gorgeous she is.

Her long, dark hair is curled in waves with a long braid wrapped around the crown of her head to look like a headband.

I’ve only ever seen her hair like that once since we’ve known each other—the night we met.

She’s wearing a pink dress that settles above her knees and hugs her waist, pushing her breasts high.

It must be new because I didn’t see it in her closet when I helped her unpack.

Her face is done with makeup, which she doesn’t wear that often either.

And her lips. Red, smooth kissable lips.

She’s stunning .

Her eyes catch mine, and I don’t even care that she caught me staring. Sophie watches as I study her, wanting to memorize every curve. I linger on her face for a moment, then scan down her body and back up again. “You look beautiful,” I mouth and smile when she blushes.

Before I can walk toward her, the doorbell rings again. Sophie rushes to the door, but I don’t follow her. Fuck, her guests are here.

Just get through this one night , I remind myself. I can do it for Sophie.

I hear a man’s voice followed by Sophie’s laughter. My guard rises, and I wait impatiently for her to walk him in here.

“Where’s Dacia?” she asks. I don’t hear his response, but then Sophie speaks again. “Oh, too bad. I hope she feels better soon.”

Piecing it together the moment I see only him, I realize Dacia isn’t coming.

“Hey guys, this is Caleb Royce,” she announces the moment they come into view.

I look up and see a man who is way too close to Sophie, being too friendly, and smiling way too wide at her. A man who doesn’t look like he’s just lost his wife.

Everyone around me greets him, but my jaw is locked tight, and I freeze as I study him.

“These are my roommates, Liam and Mason. My sisters, Lennon and Maddie. My future brother-in-law, Hunter and my adorable niece, Allie.”

“Wow, it’s nice to meet you all.”

Caleb stands tall, about my height. He’s broad like me, too, and I can tell he’s older, by five years at least. We’re all standing, but I don’t like how close he is to her and see red the second he wraps an arm around Sophie’s waist and leans in to whisper something into her ear.

“Dude, you need to chill,” Liam whispers loud enough for only me to hear. “I can see you’re tense as fuck, and if Sophie notices, she’s gonna get anxious again.”

I unlock my jaw and try to shake it off, knowing Liam’s right. “I don’t have a good feeling. Haven’t since the day she’s mentioned him.”

“Give him a chance at least before you start throwing punches.” He snickers.

I roll my eyes and jab my elbow into his ribs. “Funny.”