Page 14 of Between Regrets and Promises

“Twenty bucks says she takes your ass to the cleaners,” Lennon goads, dragging Brandon behind her.

“No way.” Brandon laughs. “Sorry, Sophie. I’m gonna have to bet on Liam this time.”

Lennon gapes at him. “Betting against my sister?”

“Babe, he’s basically a pro.” He waves his hand out for emphasis. “Been playing for years.”

“I’m pretty sure he majored in pool,” Hunter adds.

“He’s also drunk as hell,” Lennon counters, but we both know that’s not why she’s betting on me.

“I’ll go in on that bet,” Mason interrupts. “Fifty bucks on Sophie.”

“Asshole,” Liam mutters.

Yep, he definitely knows our dirty little secret.

“Seriously?” I finally say. “I thought this was for fun.”

“It is. Show me whatcha got, Soph,” Liam taunts with a devilish grin. “Hell, with that outfit, I’d bet on you too.”

Mason growls behind me, making me smile. Liam’s eyes meet mine, and he winks.

“Alright, let’s do this.” I stretch my arms out and link my hands together, pretending to crack them as if I’m about to do real damage.

“Ladies first,” Liam says, removing the triangle and hanging it up.

Though I’m confident, I’m also wishing I hadn’t taken those last two shots right about now.

“Kill ’em, Soph,” Lennon cheers, and the guys all chuckle.

With my back hunched over and my legs parted, I line up my shot and narrow my eyes on the balls as I stroke the stick over my thumb a few times. Then I slam the cue ball and watch the striped and colored balls fly across the table. When a striped ball goes into one of the pockets, Lennon cheers.

“We calling it?” I ask Liam as I walk around, trying to find my next shot.

“Sure, let’s play by the rules.” He smirks, standing on the other side. The fact that we’re secretly on the same side sends a thrill through my body. Even if it’s just to make Mason mad or jealous or whatever, I’m game. He had the nerve to fuck me in a bathroom and then say we could only be friends—which is fine, whatever—but he doesn’t get to act as though he’s concerned about me now. I stupidly gave him my number, and in the pastmonth, he never texted or acted like he gave a shit until the moment another guy gives me attention.

“Ten ball in the corner pocket,” I say, then get into position, biting my lower lip when I realize my ass is right in front of Mason’s view. With precision, I slam it in.

“Fuuuuuck,” Liam groans. “Nice one.”

“Told ya.” Lennon beams.

“Want to increase the stakes?” I ask.

“Whatcha have in mind?” He arches a curious brow.

Biting down on my lower lip, I give myself a second to gain the courage I’ll need to go through with this. Maybe those shots were a good idea after all.

“Strip pool? Make a shot, the other person loses an item. Miss a shot, and you gotta take something off. Understand?” Once the words are out, there’s no going back, but I’m damn glad none of the other partygoers have come in here. They’re too busy drinking in the kitchen and dancing in the living room.

Lennon bursts out laughing, knowing damn well I’m about to strip him down to his underwear.

“Well, well, well…you just made things interesting.” He sets his stick against the wall, then leans down to remove both shoes for the last two balls I made.

“Should’ve worn layers tonight.” He chuckles.

I call two more balls before I miss, then it’s Liam’s turn. He’s stripped off both socks, and I’ve removed my right shoe for the one I missed.

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