Page 102 of Between Secrets and Obsession

Her words sting, and the hurt expression on her face is so convincing, I don’t know if she’s being serious or if it’s a part of the act to keep them from finding out about us. I wish I could reach out to her when she walks out of the kitchen, but I keep my feet planted.

“Are you happy now?” Sophie shakes her head and stands.

“Leave him alone,” Mason tells her. “It’s his business and life. Maddie’s a big girl. She’ll be okay.”

“I know she will,” Sophie states. “But I was the one who picked her up off the bathroom floor when Liam barged in with the news. You hurt my sister with your stupid little games, and that’s unforgivable.”

Sophie walks out, but Mason stays behind. I already feel like absolute shit and don’t need to hear it from him too. When he grabs two beers and hands me one, we sit at the table in silence.

“She’ll come around,” he finally says. “They both will.”

I shrug, not wanting to discuss this anymore. “I risked my life to save Sophie. She should know me better than the monster she’s painting me to be.”

When Sophie’s ex-boyfriend’s brother kidnapped her, I barged in and shot him before he could shoot her. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for the people I care about. While she thinks I’ve betrayed them, it’s better than the truth getting out.

“You didn’t just hurt Maddie. You hurt Soph too,” he tells me before tossing his empty bottle. “She thought you two were close friends, and hell, sometimes I thought you were closer than we were, but you never told us you met someone. Or that you were even dating Victoria. So, you blindsided all of us.”

“I’m sorry about that. I had my reasons for doing what I did, but it’s no excuse. I’m sincerely sorry I hurt any of you. It wasn’t deliberate.”

“I know you well enough to know you’d never intentionally do anything to betray your friends. Give Soph time. The added stress of the wedding is fucking with her emotions, and taking it out on you is her way of coping with her feelings.”

“I understand,” I say, nodding. “Thanks, man.”

He nods before walking out, and I’m left alone in the kitchen. Mason and Sophie hang out upstairs before bed everynight, so they’ll be up there for the rest of the evening. I decide to take a shower and change into comfy clothes before tiptoeing downstairs and walking to Maddie’s room.

Before knocking, I send her a text.

Liam

You want company tonight?

She responds seconds later.

Maddie

No.

My heart sinks, and the realization that everything is fucked up hits me right in the gut.

Liam

I’m 99% confident I can do a better job than BOB.

Maddie

I’m willing to risk that 1%.

Rolling my eyes, I’m not in the mood to play her game right now. I’m exhausted and need confirmation that she’s not upset with me.

Liam

Open the door, Mads.

Instead of replying with another snarky text, Maddie opens the door in only booty shorts and a sports bra. “Can I help you, sir?”

“As a matter of fact, you can.” Taking a step inside, I force her to move back, then kick the door shut. Then I grip her waistand pull her to my chest. “You can use that sassy mouth of yours for better things than running it.”

“Oh hmm…that’s off the menu tonight.” She wraps her arms around my neck and locks her fingers together. “I can get you a bowl ofhot and botheredsoup with a side offuck mefries.”