Page 54 of Between Regrets and Promises (Between Us Trilogy #2)

MASON

Saturday mornings have become my absolute favorite.

Seeing Sophie first thing with her messy bed hair and zombie eyes makes me fall even harder.

She doesn’t try to impress me by fixing herself up before coming out or pretending to be someone she’s not.

She’s quiet until she’s had at least one cup of coffee to wake her up and is ready to shower after her third, and by noon, she’s eager to face the day.

I love making her breakfast although it’s nothing special like eggs and toast. Spending time with her, even if it’s to do nothing more than eat together, makes me appreciative of how far we’ve come. We’re both so busy during the workweek that it’s nice to sit and enjoy each other’s company.

“So Maddie wants to go shopping. I was gonna tell her no, but then I thought I could get some little things for myself for tonight.” Sophie gives me a mischievous look that tells me exactly what she’s talking about, and even if I don’t get to rip them off her body, knowing she’s wearing them is enough to make me hard.

“Are we talking naughty little things?” I arch a brow. “Because I could get on board with that.”

“Perhaps. You’ll have to wait and see.”

I cup her cheeks before planting a deep kiss on her soft lips. “Go. Have fun. But in case you’re wondering, red’s my favorite color. Has been since the moment I saw it on you.” I wink, remembering her lacy red bra that first night we met.

She pulls back, snorting. “Good to know.”

This past week together has been one of the best weeks of my life. I can’t remember ever feeling this happy or eager to spend time with someone before. Fighting my feelings was a losing battle, and now I can’t imagine not touching Sophie anytime we’re together.

I hate that she’s going to the grief meeting tonight, but I don’t want to be one of those guys who tells her what she can and can’t do.

Douchebag Weston was a controlling asshole, and I refuse to have any of those qualities.

I want Sophie and me to decide things together, but I also know she’s a loyal friend, and if it’s her last meeting, I can live with that.

It’ll give me more time to get things ready for our date night.

Though it doesn’t mean I like Caleb. Hell, I trust him as far as I can throw him.

My friend, Jerad, who helped me dig up shit on Weston could easily help get me information on this Caleb guy. Sophie would probably yell at me for snooping, but considering her ex’s two-faced ass, I can’t be too safe when it comes to her.

I shoot him a text to call me when he gets the chance, then tell Sophie goodbye before she heads out to pick up Maddie. “Have fun.”

“What’re you gonna do while I’m gone?” she asks, wrapping her arms around my neck as I pull her body into mine.

“Well, I figure you’ll be gone for a few hours, so I’ll probably drink a few beers, call a couple of ladies over, and then jerk off in the shower.”

“So…a regular Saturday afternoon.”

“I mean, you could stay and participate in the festivities if you want…”

Sophie chuckles, leaning up on her toes for another kiss. “Nah, you have fun. I’ll be back in a bit.”

She walks out to the driveway and hops into her car, then waves goodbye. My phone rings, and I pick it up when I see Jerad’s name.

“Hey, Big Daddy.”

“That’s what your mother called me last night,” he responds.

“Dude, gross. That’s crossing a line.” I shiver.

“Do I need to remind you of when?—”

“Shut up. Whatever you’re gonna say.” I laugh, shaking my head and knowing he has too much shit on me for me to argue.

“So who are you spying on now, Holt?”

“No giving me shit this time. I had a right to be worried beforehand, so I’m taking some precautions. Not to mention my dad made a house visit a couple of nights ago.”

“Was it bad?” he asks, knowing damn well our relationship isn’t great.

“I don’t know yet. He said Weston’s family is pissed that the judge dropped my charges based on self-defense.”

“Wait, what? There was a fucking surveillance video! How much more evidence do they need?” He asks the same questions I had for my dad when he dropped that bomb on me.

“Apparently, they want to fight that it was wrongful death, and that I provoked him to use his gun. Hell, I don’t know.”

“It’s bullshit is what it is,” he says.

“I agree. But there’s not much I can do until they file with the courts or serve me papers.”

“Dude, if they try to sue you, I’m gonna be outraged. You let me know if you hear from them because I’ll do whatever you need, okay?”

“Yeah, thanks, man. Appreciate that.”

“Alright, so tell me what you need. I’m not in my office, but I can be there in a few hours. Izzy has a dance recital this afternoon, so once that’s done, I can head over.”

“That’d be great. The name is Caleb Royce. I took a picture of his license plate and will send it over to you. Send me whatever you can find. Criminal record, work history, address.”

“Got it. Do I dare ask why?” He chuckles.

“It’s a guy in Sophie’s grieving circle, and he’s…

I don’t know, I get a weird vibe. He says he’s grieving his late wife who died a few months ago, but by the way he looks at Sophie, I don’t think he’s grieving a damn thing.

In fact, he gives me the impression he stalks women at these meetings or something. ”

“Like he takes advantage of their sadness and swoops in?” he asks.

“Yeah, I think. Hell, I don’t know. I might be wrong, but I’d feel better knowing for sure that his story isn’t complete bullshit. If his wife died, she’d have a death certificate by now.”

“Any chance you know her name?”

“No, and I don’t think I can ask Sophie without her being suspicious.”

“I’ll check it out. Look up the last name and see what I can find. See where his plates lead me,” he confirms, and I release a relieved breath.

“Thanks, Jerad. I appreciate it. I owe ya one.”

“You owe me big time already.” He snorts.

“Yeah, yeah.” I laugh. “Add it to my tab then.”

After we hang up, I take a shower and get ready.

I plan to take us out to eat, then putt-putt, and then we’ll end the night at the Coliseum where we first met and dance, hopefully giving her some new memories of that place.

It’s nothing flashy like an exclusive yacht tour or anything, but spending time anywhere with Sophie is a blast. We’ll have fun as long as we’re together, and I think she feels the same way too.

“Well, aren’t you looking quite handsome…” I glare at Maddie, who’s eyeing me up and down. “Cologne, too?” She sniffs, wrinkling her nose. “Wow, you must really want to get into my sister’s pants. Oh wait, you’ve already done that.”

I bellow out a laugh. “Hi to you too, Mads.”

“Madelyn! I heard that!” Sophie yells from the living room.

“Now you’re in trouble,” I tease, walking past her.

Maddie groans, lifting her arms up, then slapping them back down. “Oh, what else is new. You should be thanking me, mister.”

“Is that so?” I ask as she follows me into my room.

“Your bedroom is clean.” She pokes her head inside.

“Yeah? And?” I ask, digging into my dresser drawer for some black socks.

“I don’t know. It’s weird. Aren’t most guys’ rooms messy and gross?”

“That’d be the next room on the right.”

“Oh hell no. I already know Liam is a pig. I can smell it from the front door.” She leans against the doorframe with her arms crossed.

“Well, it’s mostly messy. He comes home from trips, throws his dirty clothes into one pile, and then packs a new bag without doing his laundry right away.”

“Well, considering he has to go shopping to buy new clothes on the road, I’d be surprised if he ever did laundry!”

“Can’t argue that.” I walk out of my room, and she follows me down the stairs. “Is there a reason you’re following me?”

“No, came up here to distract you,” she says once we reach the living room. She throws me a smirk over her shoulder.

“Distract me from what?”

“Sophie’s shopping bags. I was under strict orders not to let you see what she bought until she was ready to show you.” She flashes me a devilish grin, which can’t be good.

“Wasn’t she supposed to drop you off after shopping since she’s going to her circle group?” I grab my watch from the coffee table and snap it on.

“We were running behind so she’ll take me home before she goes to the meeting.”

I check my watch and see it’s only 5:15.

Maddie notices my confusion and continues, “She wants to get ready for your date before the meeting so you two lovebirds can leave right after it’s over.”

“Ooh,” I say, it finally clicks.

“Which means you can’t see her until later. No peeking either.”

I furrow my brows. “Isn’t that rule only for the wedding day?”

She shrugs. “Same principle.”

Moments later, Liam comes barreling through the door with a girl under his arm.

Oh fuck.

Maddie swallows, straightening her spine. Liam obviously had no idea she’d be here tonight, but fuck did he pick the worst damn time to come home.

“What’s up?” He nods. “I forgot something in my room. C’mon, Cheryl. This way.”

“It’s Cindy,” she says, giggling.

Maddie’s jaw tightens, and she pretends it doesn’t faze her, but we all know her thing for Liam is more than attraction. He’s an idiot for not taking notice.

Or maybe he does, and he’s even more of an idiot for ignoring it.

I don’t know what to say to Maddie, so I keep my mouth shut. Nothing I say will make her feel better anyway.

“Soph?” I knock on her door.

“Mason?”

She scrambles on the other side. “Hold on.”

Chuckling, I put my hand on the doorknob and turn it. “I’m coming in.”

“You’re so impatient.” Sophie giggles when I enter. She’s struggling to hold her dress in place.

I stalk toward her, raising my brows at how damn delicious she looks. “Whatcha got going on here?”

“I was trying to zip up my dress, but…” She shrugs, and I motion with my finger for her to spin around and face the mirror.