Page 145 of Between Regrets and Promises

“I brought you some coffee,” he tells me, and I hear the sound of a mug being placed on my nightstand. “I made breakfast, too, if you’re hungry. Thought maybe we could talk while we eat. You can catch me up on everything from this past week.” His voice sounds hopeful, and I hate that I’m the reason for it.

Though we texted during my trip, I left out a lot of details. Speaking with that counselor helped me see a lot of things, but it didn’t answer all of my questions. I’ll continue speaking with a professional, but my biggest worry is that I’ll never be at peace again. Not after an innocent woman died.

Wiping under my eyes, I turn around and sit up, letting my legs hang off the bed. “Thanks, I’m starving.”

I grab my cup and follow him out of my room. He has a whole spread of fruit, eggs, and bacon set up on the kitchen table.

“Wow, you made enough for an army.” I take a seat on one side. “Smells good.”

“Well…I couldn’t sleep. Got up and decided to make breakfast and kinda lost track of time and ended up making more than usual. I’ll save whatever we don’t eat for Liam, though. He’s a machine.”

Mason’s teasing voice has me chuckling, and I nod in agreement. Liam is never not hungry.

He takes the seat across from me, and we both dig in, filling our plates full of food. I haven’t eaten much and have missed his cooking and company.

“This is nice,” I admit, blocking out the darkness that threatens to take over. “Sitting with you over breakfast like before. Feels normal.”

He smiles and nods. “It’s been a lonely week without you. Liam was moping around like a lost kitty.”

“You meanyouwere, asshole…” Liam chimes in at the perfect time, stalking into the kitchen in only his boxer briefs. Yep, nothing’s changed around here.

“You didn’t miss me, Hulk?” I taunt, wondering if he’ll deny it or call me out for using that nickname he hates.

“Of course I did,” he finally responds after grabbing a plate. He winks, then starts piling food on his plate. “I just didn’t act like a middle schooler nursing their first heartbreak.”

“Hey, Sheila LeBlanc told me I could sit by her at lunch and then changed her mind in fifth period. I was devastated,” Mason retorts, throwing a piece of bacon at Liam who picks it up and eats it. “She was my first girlfriend,” Mason explains.

“Sounded serious.”

“Best three days of my life.” He smirks.

“Three days? You were basically pussy-whipped by then,” Liam mocks, grabbing the milk from the fridge, then chugging it right from the jug.

“That’s gross, Liam!” I scold. “This is why you’re single…”

“Oh, the types of girls he’s had parading around here in our college days wouldn’t blink twice at that. They weren’t exactly after his…manners.”

Then Liam puts it away, faces us, and pats his six-pack abs. “They were definitely after something else.”

“Your one-of-a-kind personality?” I quip before shoving a forkful of eggs into my mouth.

Mason snorts when Liam glares. “Women are all the same. Only see me as a piece of meat. Relationships are so overrated.”

“Ironic when you’re putting a pound of bacon on your plate…” I snicker. “And maybe if you gave it an actual chance, youcouldfind a woman who’s after something more.”

“Look, I love you like a sister, but you’re kinda enough work for me as it is. Always having to get you out of trouble is my new full-time job. There’s no time for relationships with you as a roommate.” He winks, but it causes me to frown. I know he’s joking, but underneath, there’s some truth to it. “Soph. Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.”

I lower my gaze, unable to look at either of them. I’ve officially become a damsel in distress who always needs saving.

“Asshole,” Mason mutters. He shoulder punches Liam, then comes to my side.

“You know I’m an idiot, Sophie. Ignore me,” Liam says.

When I look up, he’s sticking out his lower lip in a ridiculously cute pout.

“It’s fine. Seriously. I’m a mess,” I say honestly, but then point my finger at him. “And you were thiswaybefore I needed you to save me.”

Liam throws his head back and laughs. “I know, I know. I’m a mess too. But in a different way.” He grins, then leans in and hugs me.

---