Page 53 of Between Regrets and Promises (Between Us Trilogy #2)

SOPHIE

Seeing this side of Mason is something I never thought would happen.

I’ve hoped, dreamed, and fantasized about it, but I never thought it’d become a reality.

From the moment he kissed me last weekend after confessing his demons about his past, I’ve somehow managed to fall even harder for Mason Holt.

When he asked me out on a date and implied he only takes his girlfriends out, I thought I was going to pass out. I might be in my mid-twenties, but he made my heart flutter like a fourteen-year-old girl at a boy band concert.

“So how was your baby appointment?” I ask Lennon once we find seats at Panera. She was dying for their broccoli cheese soup, and I only had a half day of rehearsals. Unfortunately, Maddie had classes.

“It was awesome!” She beams, putting some roll pieces in front of Allie in her highchair. “Weighed and measured me, all the usual checkup stuff, but we’ll go back in a couple of weeks to get an ultrasound and the official estimated due date.”

“Oh yay! Any intuition on what you think the gender is?” I ask before taking a bite of my sandwich.

“I’m leaning toward a boy because this pregnancy has felt so different from my first, but they say each time can be different no matter what the gender. So honestly, I don’t know! I’ll be happy either way.”

“I know you will be.” I smile, looking at Allie who’s munching on some bread. “Are you excited to become a big sissy?” I ask Allie, and she furrows her brows at me. “Guess not.”

We both laugh.

“So how did things go after we left the dinner party last weekend?” she asks. We haven’t been able to catch up since then, and I haven’t shared the latest news.

“Well…” I linger, swallowing down my food. “It got a little awkward with Caleb and the guys, but once he was gone, Mason took me by surprise and opened up to me about his past.”

“What, really?” She arches a brow, stuffing more soup into her mouth.

I smile at the memory. “Yeah, it was pretty sweet how he trusted me enough to share. I was happy he did. It brought a lot of light to the table on why he avoided me.”

“What was it exactly?” she asks, and I contemplate what to say.

“It’s intense. I don’t think I’d feel right repeating it. I’m sorry,” I admit.

“It’s fine, I understand. I asked Hunter once when it was implied something had happened, and he told me it was Mason’s story to tell. He wouldn’t budge about it.” Lennon takes a huge bite of a grilled cheese. “I just want all the juicy details about you two.” Lennon shoots me a wink.

I think about all of his admissions and everything that’s happened between us. My heart nearly bursts out of my chest when I replay it all.

“You’ve got that look on your face.” Lennon grins.

I roll my eyes and chuckle. “What look?”

With a popped eyebrow, she leans forward and whispers. “The sex look.”

Though I’m typically not shy when it comes to talking about sex with my sister, my cheeks heat. “Just reliving the other night.”

“Spill it. All of it. And don’t leave out anything. Isn’t that what you said about Hunter and me when we were at this stage of our relationship? Tell me how it all started…”

I chuckle at her eagerness. Teasingly, I cover Allie’s ears and tell her not to listen to our grown-up talk.

“Well, he was telling me about why he doesn’t do relationships and how he’s always been protective of me, especially when you-know-who entered the picture. Everything he was saying came straight from the heart, and I couldn’t hold back. It felt right, so I kissed him.”

“You kissed him ? Nice.”

“Damn right. Well, first I charged him, leaped into his chest, and then kissed him.”

“Ballsy. I like it.” Lennon smirks, nodding for me to continue.

“So we’re having this hot as hell make-out session when he tells me to stop, and that we shouldn’t jump back into bed together..”

“Keep going…”

“And last night he asked me out on a date—” I pause and can’t stop the smile that forms on my face. “As his girlfriend .”

Lennon’s eyes widen as she chews a large mouthful. “Oh my God!” She finally swallows it down. “Seriously? Shit, finally!” She slides out of the booth and comes around to hug me, squeezing me tight. “I can’t believe it!”

“Me neither! I feel like I’m living in a dream and praying it never ends,” I tell her as she takes her seat. “After the incident, he’s been Mason again—sweet, caring, protective. We’ve decided to take our time, considering what’s happened.”

“That was over a month ago. I’d be jumping his bones if I were you.”

“Like you’re one to talk,” I deadpan, knowing how long she and Hunter waited when they were in a weird non-relationship relationship.

“Shut up.” She chuckles. “Did you tell Maddie?”

“Not yet. I was gonna after our lunch because I knew if I told her before you, she’d spill the beans before I got the chance.”

Lennon smirks. “True.”

We finish our food, and I enjoy our sisterly time together. I love catching up because between our schedules, life is getting busier with each passing day.

“Are you and Hunter ever gonna set a wedding date?” I ask as we walk out of the restaurant to our cars. They’ve been engaged since March. “It’s been four months, so what’re ya waiting for?”

I wait as she puts Allie in her car seat and buckles her up. “Waiting for when I’m not pregnant.”

Snickering, I respond, “Well, my guess is you’ll have a six-week window between the birth of baby number two and when the doctor clears you for sex afterward.”

“Don’t jinx me!” She rounds the car toward me.

“I don’t believe in jinx,” I tease. “Plus, we both know Hunter will keep you knocked up for the next five years if he has his way.”

“Yeah, we’re gonna need a bigger place. We’ve been talking about it and might start looking at houses soon.”

“Oh that’s exciting! Let me know if you want a house hunting buddy, and I’ll go with you guys.”

“Will do.” She smiles, then wraps her arms around me. “Thanks for meeting us. It’s always less embarrassing when I stuff my face with another adult and not just Allie who I think silently judges me.”

I laugh, giving her a squeeze, then pull back to rub her little bump. “Anytime.”

Mason’s working late tonight, so I head home and decide to get all my laundry and cleaning done so I have something nice to wear for our date tomorrow night. Shortly after I’ve finished my second load, Liam comes waltzing in and heads straight for the fridge.

“I think you might have a drinking problem,” I quip.

“No,” he says slowly, twisting the bottle cap. “I have a hunting-down-idiots problem.”

“I still think you should take me with you one of these times. Show me what kind of badass you really are.” I smirk, folding my delicates on the coffee table.

He takes a seat next to me, propping up one of his feet. “Hey, careful.” I grab the pile of panties and move them away from his boot.

Liam eyes me as he takes a long sip of his drink. “So you and Mason, huh?”

I inhale. I was halfway ready for him to bring it up without Mason present. “What about it?”

“I’m happy for you two. I hope you’re okay, though.”

I nod, knowing that he’s talking about the aftermath of Weston. “I am. Going to grieving circle has helped some and being able to process it on my own terms. Having you two has helped me immensely.”

“Mason said he told you about Emma.”

“Yeah, he did.” Nodding, I finish folding my things and set them into my laundry basket so I can put them away later. “I was shocked to say the least.”

“It was a fucking rough time for him. He’s not been the same since, but for what it’s worth, I’ve never seen that side of him around another woman the way he’s been around you.”

I arch a brow, trying to understand what that means. “What way?”

Liam takes another long pull of his beer before responding.

“Like he’s wanted to try again. Like he has hope.

Mason’s not a hit-it-and-quit-it kind of guy, but he’s thought that’s all he was able to give someone.

It wasn’t until you that he wanted more again, but he fought it every step of the way. ”

“You can say that again.” I snicker. “I understand, though. Losing someone, even someone you didn’t love, is emotionally draining and hard.

Part of me checked out of our relationship weeks before, knowing I needed to find a way out, but I was also scared as hell to leave.

I felt strong until he was in front of me, screaming and telling me what a piece of shit I was.

I hated feeling so weak, but it’s something no one can understand until they’re in that situation. ”

Liam closes the gap between us and wraps his arm around me, pulling me to his chest. “I’m not sorry he’s dead. I’m only sorry neither of us did something about it sooner.”

“I know. Deep down, I think he would’ve killed me had he been given the chance.”

He kisses the top of my head. “Not on our watches, babe.”

Liam heads out that night to meet up with friends, leaving Mason and me alone to binge-watch TV. He doesn’t get home till after eight, so we order food and have a night in.

“So any idea where you’re taking me tomorrow night?” I probe, trying to get any details I can. Twisting the chop sticks in my noodles, I scoop them into my mouth and wait for his response.

“Yes, and I’m not telling you.” He flashes a shit-eating smirk, reaching over to steal my eggroll.

“You’re gonna pay for that,” I tease. “That was my last one.”

“Don’t worry, baby. I’ll pay.” Mason winks, causing me to laugh.

My phone beeps with a message, and I set my container down to read it. Once I texted Maddie the same news I told Lennon, she nearly lost her shit. Then she sent a bunch of eggplant emojis saying she was officially the only sister without any dick.

I sent her a link to my favorite vibrator and told her Lennon and I had the same one.

That got her off my ass for a little bit anyway.

Caleb

Hey, want a ride to circle tomorrow night? I’ll be in the area after meeting an out of town friend and can swing by?

I read his message twice, wondering how I’m going to break the news that I’m not going.

Sophie

Actually, I’m not going tomorrow night. I have plans and think the last time was my final meeting.

Caleb

Oh. Too bad, I was hoping to see you this week.

Sophie

I’m sorry. Is everything okay?

Caleb

Yeah, all good. Don’t worry about it.

Shit, now I feel bad. His loss is much greater than mine, and he’s not been dealing with it well, not that I expect him to, but he’s used to leaning on his support team.

Sophie

What is it, Caleb? You can tell me.

Caleb

It was my anniversary this week. Just a tough time.

Sophie

I’m so sorry.

Fuck.

“What's wrong?” Mason asks after I release a deep sigh.

“It’s Caleb,” I say slowly. “He’s asked me to go to circle with him tomorrow. I told him I had plans and wasn’t going back, but I could tell something was wrong and finally got him to tell me. It was their anniversary this week. I feel guilty I won’t be there, but I don’t want to miss our date.”

“What time does it start?” he asks.

“Six.”

“And it’s an hour, right?”

“Yeah, usually done at seven.”

He shrugs, and I appreciate the fact that he’s not saying anything rude about him. “That should be okay. We can have dinner when you get back and do the rest of what I have planned afterward.”

“Really?” My heart lurches, and I pull him in for a kiss. “Thank you. I’ll make sure to pay you back later.” Flashing him a wink, he grunts.

“Don’t be a tease.”

Snickering, I shake my head at his overexaggerated agony and type out a message.

Sophie

Okay, I moved some things around tomorrow and can go. Pick me up at 5:45?

Caleb

I’ll be there.

Sophie

Great, see you then!

Caleb

Thank you, Sophie. You don’t know how much this means to me.

Sophie

Of course. You’re welcome.

We’re halfway through another episode, cuddled on the couch when Mason furrows his brows.

“What?” I ask.

“Didn’t Caleb say they would be married seven years this fall? So wouldn’t their anniversary be at least a couple of months away?” he ponders, and I rack my brain, remembering when he mentioned that during Mason and Liam’s interrogation.

“Hmm…yeah. Maybe he meant this week was their dating anniversary or something. He wasn’t specific, so I’m not sure.”

“Do couples keep track of their dating anniversary?” he inquires with a knowing smirk.

“Yeah, I think most do. How else do you know when to celebrate another year together?”

Mason brings me closer. “So when is ours?”

“Well, I don’t think we can use the date of the first time we had sex, so…” I taunt, chuckling. “I guess, tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow? That’s when we’ll be official?” He grins with a nod. “Which means I have one more night of freedom. I better go meet up with Liam and make it worthwhile!”

I elbow him in the gut, making him groan. “You’re funny.” Rolling my eyes, I continue, “But if that’s the case, then I better go out too. One last hurrah in the bar bathroom with a random guy.”

Pushing myself off the couch, Mason’s hand grips my wrist, then pulls me down on his lap. “Sit your pretty little ass down, woman. If there’s a second round of bar bathroom sex, it’s gonna be with me. Got it?” he says in my ear, sending shivers up my spine.

“Is that so? Think you can handle another round?” I look over my shoulder, wiggling my ass against his noticeable erection.

“Jesus Christ, you gotta stop doing that,” he warns, wrapping his arm around my waist to hold me still. “I’m trying to be nice and keep our agreement of not rushing things, but you make it nearly impossible.”

“You lasted years. I think you can last a few weeks…”

“I barely made it through last night,” he growls, arching his hips so I can feel how hard he is, and I release a throaty moan remembering how good he felt inside me.

“Thinking about all the ways I wanted to take you, how badly I want to hear you scream my name, how desperate I am to feel you come around my cock. It took all the fucking willpower in the world to keep my dick in my pants.”

I swallow, pushing myself off him.

“Where are you going?” he asks.

“Gonna take a cold shower with my vibrator.”

He laughs all the way out of the living room.