Page 6 of Between Regrets and Promises (Between Us Trilogy #2)

SOPHIE

Lennon invited me to a party tonight, and since she’s leaving for her senior year of college next week, I want to spend as much time with her as I can. But the party’s at Mason and Liam’s house, which is the last place I want to be after what happened last month.

Mason. Ugh . I’m a fool.

After our awkward greeting in front of everyone, we ended up getting a few minutes alone at the bar. Stupidly, I gave him my number, and he admitted he’s not ‘good at relationships.’ I cracked a stupid joke about how I wasn’t asking him to marry me or anything, which only made things weirder.

“Sophie, I’m sorry. I don’t want to hurt you.

Your sister is dating my best friend, and Brandon will murder me if he finds out.

He knows I don’t do relationships anymore and will be pissed if he thinks it’d interfere with his relationship with Lennon.

So I don’t think we should tell them and just be friends.

” He flashes a half-ass grin, an attempt to soften the blow, but it doesn’t.

The word ‘anymore’ isn’t lost on me when he describes how he doesn’t do relationships, though it only leaves me with more questions than answers.

“Friends?” I force out a smile as if he hadn’t sliced a knife through my heart. “Of course, I get it. No worries.” I take my drink, but before I can walk away, Mason grabs my elbow, and our eyes meet.

“It really was nice meeting you, Sweet Sophie.”

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I replay the hottest sex of my life and lament how it would only ever be a one-time thing.

I told him I’d keep our secret, but it feels wrong not to tell Lennon.

However, I’ve never seen her happier than with Brandon, and I don’t want to jeopardize that by turning him against his best friend.

If Mason doesn’t do relationships, then it’s better I know now before I had the chance to fall in too deep.

Yep. That’s what I’m telling myself. Doesn’t mean I wasn’t hoping he’d still call or text at some point.

He never did.

I have no reason to be disappointed, considering he warned me, but I still am. Our encounter was short-lived, but I thought we shared a connection.

I never dated in high school or, rather, was never allowed to. Perks of being a pastor’s daughter with strict rules. After high school, I fled to Utah and started college at California State University in Fresno.

Although I met tons of single guys on campus and even lost my virginity to my boyfriend of a year, I didn’t feel the same way about him as he did for me, so I ended it.

I went on a few dates with decent men, and formed some solid friendships, but nothing compared to that night a month ago.

Flirting and sharing details with someone I’d just met was out of my element. I’m usually the shy girl who stays home to practice my violin and binge-watch Netflix with a pint of ice cream. Lennon’s the only reason I left the comfort of my cave.

Since getting hired to play in the symphony three months ago, I’ve dedicated myself to my job and haven’t worried about having a social life.

My disappointed heart is Lennon’s fault. I’ve been so busy protecting my sisters that I let my guard down that night. She calls me the ‘mother hen’ of her and Madelyn, our younger sister—and maybe I am— but I proudly accept the title like a badge of honor.

Maddie’s still in high school, but I check in with her throughout the week. She lives in Park City with our parents. After I left, our mom became even more overbearing, and it only got worse when Lennon moved out a year later. Maddie’s going crazy without us and tells me as much each time we chat.

I get lost in my thoughts again, and for some reason, they go right back to Mason.

Though I have a squeaky-clean reputation and am typically shy around men, Mason made me feel like someone else that night.

He didn’t know anything about me, my past, or the stigma that comes with it.

I felt brave and bold, and the way he kept eye-fucking me gave me the confidence to follow him into that bar bathroom.

What came next still haunts me in my dreams.

Dirty, filthy, sexy dreams.

“Heading out?” my roommate asks. I only moved in with Maria after graduation, and we’re still developing a friendship, which is why I don’t invite her to go with me. She’s a few years older and works as much as I do, if not more.

“Yeah, my sister is nearly forcing me out,” I tell her, grabbing my keys. “See you later?”

“We’ll be here,” she singsongs, petting her cat, Nemo.

Once I’m in the car, I crank the music, hoping that’ll get me in the partying mood.

However, my stomach is in knots at the thought of seeing Mason again.

I don’t know how to be “friends” with a man I banged on a whim, but to hell with it.

I’ll just make a beeline for the booze as soon as I get there.

“Sophie!” Lennon squeals the second she sees me walk in.

She’s beautiful with her long, golden locks in waves down her back.

Most people don’t believe we’re sisters, considering we look nothing alike.

She’s a blond-haired, blue-eyed beauty who’s bubbly and outgoing.

I have dark hair, brown eyes, and am mostly introverted.

She makes me feel comfortable when we’re out, though, because her laughter and excitement are infectious.

“Hey!” I reply when she squeezes me in a tight hug.

She pulls back, studying my face. “Everything okay?”

My eyes widen when I realize I’m frowning. “Yeah, totally! Just in desperate need of a drink.”

Just as she leads me to the kitchen, I spot Mason standing next to Brandon, Liam, and another guy.

I drink Mason in, admiring the way his shirt hugs his chest and hating that I want to run my nails down his abs.

He meets my gaze and smirks. Fucking bastard.

Take that smirk and shove it up your ass, I want to tell him, but instead, I flash a toothy grin and wave like a fangirl.

Ugh. Stupid, stupid, stupid .

“Who’s that other guy?” I ask Lennon while she digs in the fridge for beer. “The one who looks like he could crush you in a second…”

Lennon flicks her eyes over, then groans. “Hunter.”

“ The Hunter?” I quip.

“The one and only. Asshole extraordinaire.” She rolls her eyes, then hands me a can of Bud Light. “You were supposed to meet him at the bar last month with Mason and Liam, but he bailed at the last second.”

She doesn’t sound sad about that either.

“We're drinking the cheap shit tonight?” I tease, opening the can.

“Mason and Liam’s drug of choice apparently. I bet you they have the good stuff somewhere, though.” She starts opening cabinets until she finds a bottle of Jack. “ Voila !”

I chuckle as she holds it up like a trophy.

“Now to find some shot glasses,” she says.

“Next cabinet.” A deep voice rumbles behind me and the hair on the back of my neck rises.

Mason .

“Ooh, thanks!” Lennon grabs two, then pours the liquid.

Daring to look, I glance over. He’s leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed and a smirk painted across his lips.

“What’s up, Sophie?”

“Not much,” I say, keeping my jaw locked.

Well, this is awkward as fuck.

“Shots?” Lennon interrupts.

“Let’s do it!” Mason’s head falls back as he shouts at the ceiling.

Kill me. Kill me now.

“Lennon, hook me up!” Liam comes charging through, knocking Mason right into me.

“Shit, sorry. Sophie, right?” Liam grabs my arm and holds me upright until I’m facing him.

“Yeah,” I say once my feet are planted.

“Liam! Watch where you’re going!” Lennon scolds. “Knocked my sister over so fast you nearly impregnated her.”

A roar of laughter echoes, mine included. Lennon doesn’t drink a lot, but when she does, she’s an absolute hoot.

“Jesus, I said sorry!” He grabs one of the shot glasses filled with whiskey, then hands it to me. “Truce?”

Before grabbing it, I glance at Mason, who’s shooting daggers at Liam, giving me all the fuel I need to be extra nice to Liam. He obviously doesn’t like that Liam is being friendly with me, but too fucking bad. Mason doesn’t get to have an opinion on that.

“Truce.” I tilt my head back, then swallow it down.

“Yeah!” Liam shouts with both hands raised above his head, getting the rest of the partygoers going too. A round of hollers shakes the walls, and I smile at the obnoxiousness of my new friend .

“Another?” Lennon asks with a grin.

“Yep. Keep ’em coming,” I order, handing her my empty glass.

“Soph…” Mason comes closer, then whispers in my ear, “You don’t have to do this.”

“Do what?” I pierce him with a sharp glare as he steps back. “You worried about me?”

He brushes a hand through his dark hair that’s short on the sides and longer on top. Hair that I’ve pulled. “I just don’t want you thinking you have to drink because of me or anything.”

“Why would you think that, Mason?” I narrow my eyes at his insinuation. “I drank before I knew you. We’re friends . I know that. So why don’t you take your ego and sit back down?”

Liam overhears us and brings a fist up to his lips and smiles around it to stifle a laugh. “Daaaaamn. I like this chick!” He gives me a high five, then wraps his arm around my shoulders. “Mason can sometimes be a mood killer. Don’t mind him. Come drink with me. I’m way more fun.”

“Dude, what the fuck?” Mason glares at him, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Relax, man.” Liam slaps his shoulder. “Let me get you a drink so your uptight ass can loosen up.”

“I’m fine,” Mason insists.

“You pussies done gossiping and ready to party?” Hunter comes barreling in. He holds up his beer can as he yells, spilling it on himself in the process.

Liam throws his head back and woots loudly, pounding a fist on his chest.

“Should’ve warned ya, they get a bit out of control,” Lennon warns, scanning the room for Brandon. “I’m gonna go find my boyfriend. You alright in here?”

“She’s fine, Lenny.” Liam smirks. “I’ll take good care of her.”