Page 87 of Between Regrets and Promises (Between Us Trilogy #2)

Hunter shakes his head with a smile.

I wipe my face. “Okay. Okay, I’m going now. Maddie, you need a ride?”

“Nah. I’m gonna bother Lennon and Hunter for a few more hours.”

Lennon looks at me. “She volunteered to babysit, so Hunter and I can have brunch without food being thrown on the floor.”

“Ahh, alright then. Love you. I’ll see you both sooner rather than later, okay?”

We say our goodbyes, then I go to my car and climb inside.

I suck in a deep breath, feeling elated for Lennon and Hunter, considering they wanted this so badly.

After not knowing if Hunter could have children, to finding out he could, and then not immediately getting pregnant, it’s been an emotional ride for them.

In the end, it worked out the way it was supposed to.

I wipe away my happy tears, then drive to work. I show up to rehearsal a little late and play my ass off since our fall concert is set for the end of the month.

At first, I thought I was too broken and had lost my passion for playing again, but once I got over my mental block, I was able to find myself in the music again.

Instead of dreading being around my colleagues, I’ve started looking forward to it.

No one has asked me any questions about what happened, and I’m grateful most musicians are introverts and mind their own business.

There’s zero drama, which is what I need. I’ve had enough to last me a lifetime.

We play through our setlist several times, then we’re released an hour early.

Most of us could play the songs in our sleep anyway.

Instead of going back to the house right away, I go to the grocery store and pick up some steaks and potatoes for dinner tonight.

Being the nice roommate I am, I grab some for Liam too.

I’m excited to tell Mason and Liam the news about the wedding and the gender of the baby. Though, I’m sure by now Hunter’s already texted and told them, and if not him, then Maddie definitely spilled the beans to Liam. She’ll use any conversation starter to talk to him.

As I pull into the driveway, I see Serena’s car parked in my spot.

A lump forms in my throat, and I try to swallow it down as I grab the grocery bags and my violin.

I remind myself that they’re just friends, Mason doesn’t want her, and I have nothing to worry about.

But when I walk into the living room, she’s laughing and leaning her head on Mason’s shoulder.

Why is she so close to him?

Why does he let her touch him like that?

Am I being unreasonable for not wanting another woman all over him?

“Hey, Sophie,” she says when she notices me.

With flared nostrils, I narrow my eyes at the two of them, then walk to the kitchen. Liam instigates the situation by telling Mason he’s in trouble now. After I put the food in the fridge, I grab my violin and walk past the three of them.

“Well, hello to you too,” she mutters under her breath.

I stop and turn on my heels. “What’re you doing here? Why are you always hanging on Mason?”

“What’s your problem?” she asks.

Mason shifts away, creating the much-needed space between them, but before he can intervene, I continue my rant.

“What’s my problem?” I repeat her words with disdain. “Call me crazy, but I don’t particularly like other women hanging all over my boyfriend. He’s mine, which I think you know at this point. So back the fuck off.” I glare, daring her to push me.

Her mouth opens and closes, staying silent.

“Soph…” Mason says my name soft and calmly, but I’m not calm. He stands, but I point my finger at him.

“Don’t.” I turn on my heels and walk to my room.

I hear Liam in the living room hollering and clapping. “Oooh, girl fight. Fifty bucks on Sophie. Sorry, Serena.” He snickers, which only enrages my emotions.

If he doesn’t shut the hell up, I might kick his ass after I kick hers.

My heart’s racing, ready to burst out of my chest. I take in a few deep breaths through my nose and release them through my mouth.

I repeat this a few more times, and once I’ve calmed down, I walk out of my room where I find Liam and Serena. Mason’s nowhere to be found.

“What’re you still doing here?” I look at Serena. I’m not afraid of her or her attitude. She crossed a line, and I’m more than pissed at this point. I’ve taken it over and over and am tired of it. From the text message she sent Mason weeks ago, she knows damn well Mason and I are in a relationship.

“Seriously?” She snarls like I’ve lost my mind, and maybe I have. Seeing her that close and touching him was my last straw, and I’ve cracked.

“I’m dead serious.”

“GIRL FIGHT!” Liam stands, starting shit again. “Rip off each other’s clothes!”

“Shut up,” we say in unison.

Mason enters with a bottle of water, and Serena stands. He stops in his tracks as if he’s glued to the floor.

Serena turns to Mason. “I guess I’m no longer welcome here.” Then she faces me, her eyes narrowed. “Just know, Sophie. I was here first .” She grabs her Louis Vuitton off the coffee table.

“Bye.” I wave my fingers and stand my ground as she storms past me and slams the door behind her.

I glare at Liam, pointing my finger at him. “You’re a dick.”

“And you, my friend, were a total baddie. Proud of you.” He smirks and holds out his hand for a high five, but I leave him hanging.

He between Mason and me, noticing the awkward tension, then says he’s going to get a drink.

We both watch as he grabs his keys and leaves.

I should feel guilty for how I reacted, but I don’t.

Mason clears his throat. The air’s so thick, I can’t breathe.

“You hungry?” he asks, effectively changing the subject, and my head almost spins.

I swallow hard when I look into his eyes. He should be mad for the way I screamed at his friend, and I’m pissed he allowed her that close to him. But arguing with him won’t change anything, and I’m so tired of this are-we or aren’t-we situation. So I don’t push it.

“Starving. It’s why I bought the steaks.”

“I saw the potatoes. Let me cook for you.” Mason heads back to the kitchen.

After I follow, I watch as he pulls two wine glasses from the cabinet, then fills them. I take it willingly, but I nearly break my jaw as I clench my teeth, thinking about Mason and Serena together.

As I take a seat at the table, I accidentally release a frustrated groan, and Mason looks at me with a small smile before he throws our steaks in a skillet and our potatoes in the oven.

Luckily, he doesn’t push the matter either.

I’m mesmerized as he works around the kitchen, preparing the food.

It seems like he magically cooked everything because soon he’s placing our steaks on a plate and putting butter and cheese in our baked potatoes.

We’ve exchanged no words, just stolen glances.

Silence fills the room, and I don’t know what to say, but the wine has helped calm me down for now. My steak is cooked exactly the way I like it, and it nearly melts in my mouth. When I look up at Mason, he’s studying me with a cheeky grin.

I swallow down my food. “What?”

He shrugs and continues to cut into his steak. “Nothing.”

“Thank you for cooking. This is really good,” I say, then sipping my wine.

“No problem.” He winks, and I can’t help but wonder why he’s so giddy.

After our plates are cleared, he picks them up and rinses them in the sink. I finish my wine, making sure to get each drop and so does Mason. We walk into the living room, and he still has that goofy smile plastered on his face.

I grow more agitated, placing my hands on my hips and glaring when he faces me. “Do I have pepper in my teeth or something?”

Mason takes four steps forward, removing all the space between us. My breath hitches as our eyes meet, and I immediately feel as if I’m falling. His hands land on my hips, and he pulls me to his chest. “You called me your boyfriend .”

“ That’s what you’re focused on?” I half-chuckle. “I was two seconds away from taking her out.”

“I wasn’t worried.” Mason arches a brow as if he’s waiting for me to confirm those words came from my mouth.

“Well, are you expecting me to deny it or something?” I ask with an eyebrow popped.

He smirks. “Well, we’ve been in limbo so?—”

Before he can finish his thought, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull his mouth to mine, tasting the wine on his lips, wanting to devour him whole.

I’m breathless as his hands trail up my back, and I can’t get close enough to him as our tongues dance together.

When I push away, I’m lightheaded and nearly stumble as if he stole my breath.

I’m literally weak in the knees, and he holds me close to his strong body.

“Soph,” he whispers, then swallows hard. Before he can say anything else, I place my fingers over his mouth. I don’t want the moment ruined. I don’t want broken promises or expectations. I just want him.

It’s so fucking hard to pull away from him, but somehow I do and immediately feel the loss.

Mason places his palm on my cheek, and I lean into it, my eyes fluttering closed.

“I’m gonna walk away and go to bed before I do something I’ll regret.” He inhales a sharp breath as if holding back is physically hard. “Thanks for eating dinner with me.” Then he kisses my cheek and drops his hands. “Good night, my sweet Sophie.”

“Good night, Mason,” I whisper, my chest pounding so hard I’m sure he felt it.

He climbs the stairs, then disappears. I worry I’ve let Mason walk away forever by not stopping him.

But the truth is my heart longs for him so damn much, and he deserves to know.