Page 118 of Between Regrets and Promises

“Up here in Sac with his brother, Weston, who confirmed his alibi.”

“And they believed him even with a record?”

“Seems so. They didn’t have any other evidence to hold him longer than forty-eight hours.”

“Motherfucker.” I’m seething, my blood is boiling to a dangerous level of rage at the moment, and I don’t know how to calm myself. “Jerad, he’s fucking with her right now. Shit, shit, shit. So, you’re telling me Caleb is Dalton Westbrook, Weston’s older brother?”

“Yeah, man. It’s all right here. He must’ve figured out where you guys live and who y’all are and stalked Sophie or something.”

“Or he stalked her to get to me. Perhaps what my dad said was true, except the brother didn’t want to wait for the court.”

“Or he heard you were another privileged guy, son of the DA, who got off on a murder charge.”

“It was self-defense,” I retort, but I know I don’t have to explain myself to him. “This can’t be happening. I need to text her, tell her to get away from him, go pick her up or something. Then what? Can I have the cops haul his ass in for something? Stalking?”

“Not without a warrant or probable cause. All he’s done so far is lie about who he is, not exactly illegal.”

“Alright, I gotta go. I’ll call you if I need something.”

“Let me know.”

“I will.”

“And Mason? Be careful.”

I text Sophie as I run up the stairs to tell Liam.

Mason

Baby, are you still at your meeting? I need to speak with you right away. Call me as soon as you’re out. Don’t leave with Caleb.

“What?” Liam nearly knocks me over once I tell him everything Jerad said. “You’re shitting me, right?”

“Look at me. Do I look like I am? I need to go find her.”

I call her and get sent to voicemail, so I text her again.

Mason

Soph, listen to me. Do not get in the car with Caleb. He’s not who he says he is, and I’ll explain everything as soon as you call or text me back but promise me you won’t leave with him!

“It’s after seven. Why isn’t she checking her messages?” I pace frantically around his room. “I can’t just stand here. I need to go find her before he does something.” I continue pacing. “Fuck! I don’t know where her meetings are. She’s always called it group or circle, and I never thought to ask which specific location.”

“Text her sisters, they probably know,” he suggests, so I do without alarming them.

While I wait for one of them to respond, I call Sophie again only to get sent to voicemail.

Mason

Baby, where are you? You should be out of your meeting by now. Call me ASAP please!!! Text me so I know you’re okay. Caleb is dangerous, and you need to get the hell away from him. He’s not who he says he is…trust me. GET. AWAY.

“What the fuck am I gonna do?” I’m downright panicking, bending over to rest my palms on my knees as I try to catch my breath. “Fuck it, I’m gonna google it and go to the closest one.”

“I’ll go with you,” Liam offers, placing a hand on my back. “You can’t drive like this. I’ll take you.”

He pushes me along, then we’re both out of the house and climbing into his truck. I’m on my phone searching and the nearest meeting location is five minutes away, so we try that one first.

“Fuck, the parking lot is nearly empty. I don’t see his car,” I say, sticking my head out the window. Just then two people come out of the exit door, and Liam drives over.

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