Page 23 of Between Regrets and Promises

“Come visit us soon.” Dad shoots me a wink.

“Maybe. You know how hard it is to break away with rehearsals,” I remind them.

They nod, and we chat a little longer before saying our goodbyes. I tell them to have fun, but not too much fun. After the call ends, I go back to practicing but can’t stop thinking about Maddie being here next week. It makes me so damn excited. Moving to California was one of the best decisions I ever made. I learned how to make choices in a world without my parents always nagging or guiding me and enjoyed growing up on my own terms. She’s going to have fun, but hopefully not too much, though. The girl seems to love trouble.

“There’s my favorite sister,” I tease when Maddie plops down in the booth next to me. I can’t believe she’s finally here. She wraps her arms around me and laughs, then glances at Lennon. They’re both my favorite, and I love them equally, but it’s always fun to joke about favs. It’s been a running thing since we were kids.

Maddie looks around with an eager expression. “I think the Coliseum is gonna be my new favorite place. Although they won’t serve a minor…I guess it’ll have to do.”

“Yes, it will,” I say. “You’ll get to drink plenty after you turn twenty-one. Just enjoy being underage for a few more years.” Even though I promised my parents I’d watch her, Maddie is gonna do what she wants to do. Always has, always will.

Lennon giggles. “Remember how things were when I first moved here?”

I grin thinking about it. “You acted like you found freedom for the first time ever.”

“Pfft. Itwasfreedom.” She glances at Maddie. “Until I dated that asshole who nearly ruined me.”

“See, Mads. This is why you need to take it slow and not rush into anything,” I remind her.

“Yeah, yeah. Date with intention. Right,Mom?” She snorts just as Lennon’s cell vibrates. Her face lights up as she unlocks it, which means it’s Brandon. They’re madly in love, and though it’s almost sickening to witness, I’m happy for her. Lennon deserves a nice guy. Hell, we all could use one.

“Brandon’s gonna stop by. That okay?” Lennon asks with googly eyes.

“Yep, the guys coming too?” I ask, curious if Mason will be joining us.

Lennon types away. “Just Mason and Hunter.”

Maddie’s gaze ping-pongs between us. “They’re the hot ones, right?”

“They’re all hot.” I snort, hoping neither of them sees through my lies.

Shaking her head, Lennon goes back to her phone. “You are off-limits to them.EspeciallyHunter.”

Maddie rolls her eyes, and Lennon instantly becomes frustrated. “I’m serious, Maddie. He’s a player and will screw anything that has legs. I’ll be damned if?—”

“Okay, okay,” I interrupt. “I think she’s got the point.”

Maddie shrugs. “Maybe if one of you gets me a drink, I’ll understand better?”

“Don’t piss her off,” I say.

Lennon playfully flips her off, but she’s not kidding about Hunter. She’s ready to murder him.

I pull my phone from my purse and decide to text Liam because he likes the Coliseum. Over the last year, we’ve become great friends, and I enjoy his company so much. He’s like the big brother I never had, and he’s fun as hell. He gets me without wanting to get into my pants.

Sophie

Why aren’t you coming to have drinks with us?

Liam

Tied up on a job. You know how it goes.

Sophie

Like a real job? Or some chick?

Liam

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