Page 4 of Between Regrets and Promises

As the officer helps me stand, I look at Hunter and Liam who look distraught and scared as hell.

“Wanna tell me what happened here?” the officer asks.

I ignore him, knowing my rights. I’m not saying a damn thing without counsel, even if it was self-defense. I know how fucked up the justice system can be, and I’m not about to incriminate myself.

“Call Serena!” I yell at Liam as the officer starts pushing me away from the scene. “Tell her to come to the station, but not to tell my father!”

He nods, knowing why I’d trust her. Before I can say anything else to them, the officer jerks me toward his car.

So many thoughts run through my head. Anger mixes with regret, but I remind myself why I confronted him in the first place. I did it for Sophie, for her safety, and I’d do it again if it meant keeping him away from her.

Glancing over my shoulder, one officer covers the body while others put up yellow caution tape around the crime scene. I catch sight of Lennon, Sophie, and Maddie talking to Hunter and Liam. The girls look confused and shocked. I wish I could hear what the cops were saying to them. Sophie’s hysterical, so I’m sure they just told her the news about Weston. I look away, unable to watch her cry for that piece of shit who hit and threatened to kill her. I have no doubt it would’ve led to that.

Right now, I want to be invisible. The world around me begins to fade, and I try to tune out the screams and cries of the guests as word of what happened spreads. As I’m forcefully shoved into the back of the squad car, realization of what took place begins to set in as an officer jumps into the front seat, then drives us away.

I killed Sophie’s boyfriend.

I fucked up, and I’m going to pay for it.

CHAPTER ONE

MASON

THREE YEARS EARLIER

As sweat dripsdown my forehead and into my eyes, I punch the bag with as much force as I can, knocking it harshly from left to right. The burn in my knuckles is a welcome pain, especially after the shit day I’ve had.

I didn’t bust my ass for four years and graduate from college two months ago just to fetch coffee, dig important docs out of the trash, or be someone’s personal secretary. I knew I’d be starting at the bottom and have to prove myself, but it’s a little difficult to do that when I’m the bitch boy.

Once I finish my reps, I grab a towel and wipe off my face. Working out is the only thing that keeps me sane these days. Between the demons from my past and the guilt I continue to live with, I need this outlet. Since I joined the real world of adulting, and college football is no longer an option, boxing has saved me.

“Not bad, Holt,” Max says, patting my shoulder. “A little aggressive today.” A couple of months ago, I started workingout with a boxing trainer, but he’s already taught me so much. “Session’s over.”

I could go for another thirty minutes, but I shouldn’t overdo it again. The last time I insisted I was fine to continue, I nearly passed out from losing my own breath. My heart pounded so fast and hard, it couldn’t keep up, nearly causing an anxiety attack.

Though it wouldn’t be the first one I’ve had. And I doubt it’ll be the last.

“So how’s the internship treating ya?” he asks as I remove my gloves.

Keeping my gaze focused on my hands, I grunt out my response. “I do what I’m told, day or night.”

“That brutal, huh?” Chuckling, he hands me a bottle of water, then grabs one for himself. Considering he’s been watching me for the past hour, I laugh.

“I want to do more,” I explain. “Get my hands dirty, use the shit I learned in school, and work on cases, but that’s not how it works.”

“You’ll be back at school in the fall, right?”

Putting the cap back on the bottle, I nod. “Yeah, grad school plus taking on internships and gaining work experience will be intense as hell.” Just the thought of the insane schedule I’ll have makes my chest tighten even more, but it’s what I want to do more than anything.

“Wow, man. That’s quite impressive.” He grins.

“Don’t say that yet. I’ll probably flunk out before I finish the first semester.” I snort, seriously wondering how I’ll manage it all. Thankfully, these are paid internships, though it’s not much. Unfortunately, that’s where my father steps in and plays the proud dad who’s footing the bill for my tuition. Outsiders say I should be thankful for his help, but I’m just a pawn in his career to make him look good. It gives him bragging rights that I wentto a good university, had good grades, and landed an internship. However, he’s disappointed I didn’t follow in his footsteps and become an attorney too. He treats me as if his legacy will live through me even though I don’t want that.

“Doubt it,” he says. “See you next week?”

“You got it.” We bump fists, and I take off for the showers.

Once I’m cleaned and dressed, I check my phone and see a group text from the guys. I’ve known them all since freshman year when we rushed a fraternity together. Brandon, Hunter, and Liam are my ride or dies, and I’m grateful to have them help balance the personal shitstorm that consistently fucks with my life.

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