Page 172 of Between Regrets and Promises

Since Maddie’srecital is tonight, and I was at rehearsal all day, I jump in the shower as soon as I get home.

It’s been two weeks since the drunken episode when I embarrassed myself and begged Mason to sleep with me. Though I drank way too much, and I’m a lightweight, I can’t forget the way he looked at me and then held me all night long. A part of me blames Liam for forcing me to go out for a drink, but I fully understood why he did it. I was drowning in my own personal failure, and Liam brought me to shore. Though I didn’t want to chat about anything serious, he brought up Mason and wasn’t going to allow me to avoid talking about it. Liam, being the big brother I never had, wanted me to understand how Mason feels. But of course that one drink turned into three within an hour, and the only person I can blame for that is myself.

After Liam and I got home, and I realized how worried Mason was, I felt bad for not giving him a heads-up sooner. Considering everything, I should’ve let him know before we left. He looked like he was memorizing every single inch of my body, and that old, familiar flame deep inside me started toburn again. I’m thankful he said no because I know he’d never take advantage, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to being a tad disappointed too.

When it comes to Mason, I don’t want to regret anything we do, and because the alcohol was numbing all my inhibitions, I might’ve. Once that door opens between us, it will be hard to close it again, and I don’t want to deny him any more than I already am.

I told my therapist all about it, and she asked me a slew of questions, including how I felt then and the day after. The relief I felt to be able to fully talk about my feelings and have someone listen without judgment helped me work through my embarrassment and shame. I’ve continued my weekly appointments, and while I’m still working through everything, I’m getting stronger every day.

As I finish rinsing my hair, I decide my thoughts have wandered on long enough and turn off the shower. I wrap a towel around my body and get ready. I’m nearly exhausted by the time I finish blow-drying and curling it and then hurry down to my room to slip on a nice dress and some heels. After I apply makeup, I’m ready to go, so I walk into the living room where Mason waits on the couch. As soon as he sees me, he instantly stands and smiles.

Scanning his eyes down my outfit, he walks toward me. “You’re breathtaking,” he whispers, and his words cause heat to rush through my body. It’s hard to keep him at a distance when he looks at me with so much love and admiration.

“Thank you,” I say, knowing I’m blushing but don’t try to hide it this time. “You don’t look so bad yourself.” And he doesn’t. He looks good enough to eat.

Before he can respond, Liam nearly stumbles down the stairs. We look at him, and I arch a brow at his getup. There’s nodenying he went the extra mile to look nice for the recital, and Mason beats me to a smartass comment.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were trying to impress Maddie,” he quips, causing me to giggle.

Liam rolls his eyes. “Don’t you know basic etiquette when you go to a performance of any sorts?”

“Okay, he has you there.”

“Mama didn’t raise no slob. I know how these things work. Could be all the classical music I listen to or the theatrical performances I saw in college,” Liam says matter-of-factly.

Mason snorts. “Spare me. There’s no need to pull the elite card out of your ass.”

“Good, because it’s made of diamonds and hurts to flash.” Liam winks.

“You’re disgusting.”

He lowers his gaze down my body, smirking. “Who’re you trying to impress? Oh wait…” He waggles his brows. “It’s for me, isn’t it?”

“Shut up,” I say, nudging him in his ribs. He pretends to fall over, but the truth is he’s built solid. My elbow didn’t do shit to him.

Mason glances at his phone and rounds us up. “We should probably get going if we want good parking.”

“Lennon and Hunter might beat us there. We have front row tickets because I want to see the sweat beads roll off the dancer’s foreheads.” I snicker, knowing Maddie won’t sweat a drop. She’s in such good shape, a two-hour performance is nothing for her. Nothing at all. The girl could dance in her sleep and wake up refreshed.

Mason leads the way to his truck, and I look at Liam as he walks to the back. “You even wore a tie. You know she’s gonna want you to tie her up with it,” I tease with a chuckle. He groans and flips me the bird. “Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.”

Giving him shit is going to be the highlight of my night, and it’s only begun. When Maddie sees him wearing a black button-up shirt with a red tie and slacks that squeeze his ass, she might straddle him right then and there.

Mason drives us to the university theater where it’s being held. When we walk inside the auditorium, Mason places his hand on the small of my back, and it causes every hair on my body to stand.

Of course Lennon and Hunter are already here. Liam sits on the other side of Hunter, and I sit between Lennon and Mason. As soon as Lennon sees Liam, she says something about his outfit.

“Maybe we shouldn’t sit in front. If Maddie sees you dressed like that, she’s gonna drop dead.” Lennon giggles, and Liam responds with an annoyed groan. “Even a tie…” She pretends to tug on it, and Hunter’s already smirking and shaking his head.

“That’s what I said,” I agree with Lennon.

“Great, I have to listen to both of you riding my ass?” he snaps.

“Oh Hulk, it’s all in good fun. Just don’t laugh, you might pop a button and rip your shirt right open.”

He crosses his arms, and I can’t stop chuckling.

“Don’t make him cry, Soph,” Mason taunts.

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