Page 12 of Between Regrets and Promises

“Who’s that other guy?” I ask Lennon while she digs in the fridge for beer. “The one who looks like he could crush you in a second…”

Lennon flicks her eyes over, then groans. “Hunter.”

“TheHunter?” I quip.

“The one and only. Asshole extraordinaire.” She rolls her eyes, then hands me a can of Bud Light. “You were supposed to meet him at the bar last month with Mason and Liam, but he bailed at the last second.”

She doesn’t sound sad about that either.

“We're drinking the cheap shit tonight?” I tease, opening the can.

“Mason and Liam’s drug of choice apparently. I bet you they have the good stuff somewhere, though.” She starts opening cabinets until she finds a bottle of Jack. “Voila!”

I chuckle as she holds it up like a trophy.

“Now to find some shot glasses,” she says.

“Next cabinet.” A deep voice rumbles behind me and the hair on the back of my neck rises.

Mason.

“Ooh, thanks!” Lennon grabs two, then pours the liquid.

Daring to look, I glance over. He’s leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed and a smirk painted across his lips.

“What’s up, Sophie?”

“Not much,” I say, keeping my jaw locked.

Well, this is awkward as fuck.

“Shots?” Lennon interrupts.

“Let’s do it!” Mason’s head falls back as he shouts at the ceiling.

Kill me.Kill me now.

“Lennon, hook me up!” Liam comes charging through, knocking Mason right into me.

“Shit, sorry. Sophie, right?” Liam grabs my arm and holds me upright until I’m facing him.

“Yeah,” I say once my feet are planted.

“Liam! Watch where you’re going!” Lennon scolds. “Knocked my sister over so fast you nearly impregnated her.”

A roar of laughter echoes, mine included. Lennon doesn’t drink a lot, but when she does, she’s an absolute hoot.

“Jesus, I said sorry!” He grabs one of the shot glasses filled with whiskey, then hands it to me. “Truce?”

Before grabbing it, I glance at Mason, who’s shooting daggers at Liam, giving me all the fuel I need to be extra nice to Liam. He obviously doesn’t like that Liam is being friendly with me, but too fucking bad. Mason doesn’t get to have an opinion on that.

“Truce.” I tilt my head back, then swallow it down.

“Yeah!” Liam shouts with both hands raised above his head, getting the rest of the partygoers going too. A round of hollers shakes the walls, and I smile at the obnoxiousness of my newfriend.

“Another?” Lennon asks with a grin.

“Yep. Keep ’em coming,” I order, handing her my empty glass.

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