Page 11 of Between Regrets and Promises

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 neverallowedto. 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 tothat nighta 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 topractice 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 thethought 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.

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