Page 31 of Between Regrets and Promises

Maddie will make sure to scare them off for you.

Liam

NO.

I love teasing him because I see the way he looks at her, but he denies it. Though, it’s not any different from me and Mason, and he loves to ride my ass about it. Maybe I’m in denial too. Before I can send him a text message back, the light turns green, and I go. My heart flutters when I think about Mason and how he’ll finally get to see me play. Lately, when I’ve been hangingout with Liam, he’s kept his distance, pretending I don’t exist. The way he treats me is starting to wear me down.

Soon, I’m pulling up to the dorms, and Maddie is already outside waiting for me. Her shorts, if you can call them that, are nearly invisible, and she’s wearing a crop top that shows off her perfectly toned body. Once she’s in the car, I playfully scold her.

“Go up there and change, young lady. You can’t go out in public wearing that.”

“But how will I get any dick if I can’t show off what my mama gave me?”

I narrow my eyes at her, scowling.

“Oh, come on. You know it’s hot as hell out here. I’m already sweating.” She fans herself with a laugh.

I grunt. “For a virgin, you’re dirtier than anyone I know.”

She shrugs, then puts on her seat belt, and I drive toward the park.

“Dance school. I learn about all sorts of terrible, horrible, and thrilling things backstage.” When she waggles her eyebrows at me, I burst out into laughter.

“I don’t want to know.”

“Sure you do! Did you know there’s a sex position called the Butter Churner?”

I glance at her. “Don’t. Don’t you dare.”

“You’re no fun.” She snickers. “Bet you google it later.”

“Bet you I don’t!” I challenge, then change the subject and tell her about Lennon’s texts this morning. She’s all googly eyes when I tell her everything is going as planned. I give her the shortened version because Lennon will tell us more when she returns, and she better not leave out any juicy details.

“So Mom and Dad believe it?” she asks.

“One hundred percent.”

Maddie sighs. “They just need to do it already.”

I snort, shaking my head. Though I can’t disagree.

“What? She’s already pregnant. What’s the worst that could happen?”

I park the car and glance at her. “You’re grounded.”

“For being right?”

“For beingbad,” I say, and she rolls her eyes before opening the door.

I grab my violin, then we walk across the park toward the stage. Families, couples, and tons of kids make up the crowd already here, which makes me super excited. Food trucks line the perimeter, and Maddie is already scoping them out.

“You hungry?” she asks.

“Nah. I ate already.” My phone vibrates in my pocket and pulls me away. I remember I didn’t text Liam back, but then notice I have another one from him.

Liam

Here!

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