Page 82 of Between Regrets and Promises (Between Us Trilogy #2)

SOPHIE

Since Maddie’s recital is tonight, and I was at rehearsal all day, I jump in the shower as soon as I get home.

It’s been two weeks since the drunken episode when I embarrassed myself and begged Mason to sleep with me.

Though I drank way too much, and I’m a lightweight, I can’t forget the way he looked at me and then held me all night long.

A part of me blames Liam for forcing me to go out for a drink, but I fully understood why he did it.

I was drowning in my own personal failure, and Liam brought me to shore.

Though I didn’t want to chat about anything serious, he brought up Mason and wasn’t going to allow me to avoid talking about it.

Liam, being the big brother I never had, wanted me to understand how Mason feels.

But of course that one drink turned into three within an hour, and the only person I can blame for that is myself.

After Liam and I got home, and I realized how worried Mason was, I felt bad for not giving him a heads-up sooner.

Considering everything, I should’ve let him know before we left.

He looked like he was memorizing every single inch of my body, and that old, familiar flame deep inside me started to burn again.

I’m thankful he said no because I know he’d never take advantage, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to being a tad disappointed too.

When it comes to Mason, I don’t want to regret anything we do, and because the alcohol was numbing all my inhibitions, I might’ve. Once that door opens between us, it will be hard to close it again, and I don’t want to deny him any more than I already am.

I told my therapist all about it, and she asked me a slew of questions, including how I felt then and the day after.

The relief I felt to be able to fully talk about my feelings and have someone listen without judgment helped me work through my embarrassment and shame.

I’ve continued my weekly appointments, and while I’m still working through everything, I’m getting stronger every day.

As I finish rinsing my hair, I decide my thoughts have wandered on long enough and turn off the shower.

I wrap a towel around my body and get ready.

I’m nearly exhausted by the time I finish blow-drying and curling it and then hurry down to my room to slip on a nice dress and some heels.

After I apply makeup, I’m ready to go, so I walk into the living room where Mason waits on the couch.

As soon as he sees me, he instantly stands and smiles.

Scanning his eyes down my outfit, he walks toward me. “You’re breathtaking,” he whispers, and his words cause heat to rush through my body. It’s hard to keep him at a distance when he looks at me with so much love and admiration.

“Thank you,” I say, knowing I’m blushing but don’t try to hide it this time. “You don’t look so bad yourself.” And he doesn’t. He looks good enough to eat.

Before he can respond, Liam nearly stumbles down the stairs. We look at him, and I arch a brow at his getup. There’s no denying he went the extra mile to look nice for the recital, and Mason beats me to a smartass comment.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were trying to impress Maddie,” he quips, causing me to giggle.

Liam rolls his eyes. “Don’t you know basic etiquette when you go to a performance of any sorts?”

“Okay, he has you there.”

“Mama didn’t raise no slob. I know how these things work. Could be all the classical music I listen to or the theatrical performances I saw in college,” Liam says matter-of-factly.

Mason snorts. “Spare me. There’s no need to pull the elite card out of your ass.”

“Good, because it’s made of diamonds and hurts to flash.” Liam winks.

“You’re disgusting.”

He lowers his gaze down my body, smirking. “Who’re you trying to impress? Oh wait…” He waggles his brows. “It’s for me, isn’t it?”

“Shut up,” I say, nudging him in his ribs. He pretends to fall over, but the truth is he’s built solid. My elbow didn’t do shit to him.

Mason glances at his phone and rounds us up. “We should probably get going if we want good parking.”

“Lennon and Hunter might beat us there. We have front row tickets because I want to see the sweat beads roll off the dancer’s foreheads.

” I snicker, knowing Maddie won’t sweat a drop.

She’s in such good shape, a two-hour performance is nothing for her.

Nothing at all. The girl could dance in her sleep and wake up refreshed.

Mason leads the way to his truck, and I look at Liam as he walks to the back. “You even wore a tie. You know she’s gonna want you to tie her up with it,” I tease with a chuckle. He groans and flips me the bird. “Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.”

Giving him shit is going to be the highlight of my night, and it’s only begun. When Maddie sees him wearing a black button-up shirt with a red tie and slacks that squeeze his ass, she might straddle him right then and there.

Mason drives us to the university theater where it’s being held. When we walk inside the auditorium, Mason places his hand on the small of my back, and it causes every hair on my body to stand.

Of course Lennon and Hunter are already here. Liam sits on the other side of Hunter, and I sit between Lennon and Mason. As soon as Lennon sees Liam, she says something about his outfit.

“Maybe we shouldn’t sit in front. If Maddie sees you dressed like that, she’s gonna drop dead.” Lennon giggles, and Liam responds with an annoyed groan. “Even a tie…” She pretends to tug on it, and Hunter’s already smirking and shaking his head.

“That’s what I said,” I agree with Lennon.

“Great, I have to listen to both of you riding my ass?” he snaps.

“Oh Hulk, it’s all in good fun. Just don’t laugh, you might pop a button and rip your shirt right open.”

He crosses his arms, and I can’t stop chuckling.

“Don’t make him cry, Soph,” Mason taunts.

Liam flips him off, then proceeds to flip every single one of us the bird.

“What was that you said earlier about etiquette?” I remind him with a wink.

“I hate you all.”

“Mmhmm.” Lennon continues to poke the beast.

Before we can add anything else, the lights flicker, giving the five-minute warning.

I look around the room and see it’s packed full.

I’m so happy I’m able to be here, supporting Maddie and watching her in something she’s so passionate about.

I think about my past and how all of this would’ve been ripped away and stolen from me if things had ended differently.

“You okay?” Mason whispers in my ear as I try to keep my emotions in check.

“Just grateful.” I smile.

The lights lower, the curtains open, and the music begins.

The melody starts off slowly and builds to a giant crescendo when the ballet dancers rush forward.

Maddie glides across the stage so effortlessly.

Though I’ve been watching her perform since baby ballet, there’s something so incredibly mesmerizing about her when she’s doing pointe.

The stage is hers, she’s the queen, a true performer, and all eyes in the room are on her, especially Liam’s.

The songs flow together, creating a full show, and though no words are spoken, it’s obvious it’s a performance about two lost lovers, determined to find the other, and Maddie’s the star, the leading lady, fighting all the outside sources to find the one .

It’s easy to pretend she doesn’t have a smart mouth or isn’t full of sass when she moves across the stage like it’s glass, looking like a porcelain doll with perfect skin.

She so effortlessly supports her entire body on one leg as the other extends directly behind her, using the music to draw a reaction from the crowd.

Then in a blink, she’s soaring through the air, spinning like an ice skater, willing her legs and arms to complete impossible movements.

She extends and bends and so eloquently moves and leans her body in unimaginable ways, and I’m in total awe watching her.

Talented doesn’t even begin to describe Maddie.

She’s more than that. She’s absolutely incredible.

When she finally gets to be with her lover, a dancer dressed in black rips him away.

The music spirals into dark, ominous tones, and the finale begins with a dramatic emotional dance where it’s obvious the man she loves has died.

After all the fighting to be together, death ultimately tore him from her.

Tears fill my eyes, and Mason interlocks his fingers with mine, rubbing his thumb across the softness of my skin.

It’s a simple gesture, and one I appreciate more than he knows.

The stage lights turn bright white, and Maddie purposely and dramatically dances to the ground where death takes her too.

Finally, the two are able to be together eternally, forever.

The emotion behind it all is almost too much for me to handle, but based on the sniffles in the room, I’m not the only one.

I lean toward Mason, wanting to be as close to him as I possibly can.

Tears stream down my face as the lover’s dance ends.

The stage fades to black, and the curtains close.

Before the house lights brighten, I wipe my cheeks.

I’m actually speechless. It was the most beautiful dance I’ve ever seen in my life.

One of my favorites she’s ever done, and while it was tragic, it was so damn deep and beautiful.

I let out a breath when the curtains open, and the dancers take their bows. Maddie is the last to come out. The crowd goes wild over her, and we all know why. She stole the show, no doubt about that, and should be proud as hell for the emotions she was able to draw from hundreds of people.

“That’s my sister!” I shout, hoping she hears me over the applause as the room gives her a standing ovation.