Page 52 of Between Regrets and Promises

Once I’m back at my desk, I go to the public directory where all the state employees are listed and search for Weston’s name, but nothing comes up. I try to convince myself that something is wrong, or I’m not searching the correct place, so I call the prison and ask for him. If he answers, I’ll hang up. I’m put on hold, and when the woman comes back on the line, she seems annoyed.

“No one by that name works here.”

I sit silent for a moment. “Sorry, I must’ve called the wrong place. Thanks.”

I hang up, my mind reeling. He doesn’t work at the county jail because I know every person there. But if he doesn’t work at the prison, that means he’s a fucking liar, and who knows what else he’s lying about. I’m seething and seeing red, but thankfully, my cell ringing pulls me away. When I see it’s Liam, I pick up the phone and walk to a secluded place where I can have some privacy.

“What do you need?”

“Before you tell me to mind my own damn business, I’ve been doing some digging on Weston.”

“Mason…” Liam warns.

“He doesn’t work at the prison,” I blurt before Liam can say another word.

“What?”

“He’s not in the state directory. He’s not a correctional officer.”

“Goddammit. We need to follow him,” Liam suggests. “We need to learn as much as we can about this bastard before we confront him.”

I snort. “And all this time, I thought you were gonna tell me to let it rest.”

“It’s obvious there’s an issue. I’ll be home late tonight, but I’m off tomorrow. I think Sophie said he leaves early in the morning. We can follow him and see where the fuck he’s going.” I’m happy Liam is suggesting this because I would’ve otherwise.

“You know where they live?” I ask.

“I knoweverything.”

Snarky asshole.

“Okay, it’s a plan then.” I let out a breath, and we make plans for tomorrow morning before ending the call.

I can’t seem to focus on anything for the rest of the day. My mind is in overdrive as I think about Sophie and Weston and what she must be going through. She’d never tell us. On the way home, I call Maddie and am shocked when she picks up after the first ring.

“Hello, loverboy,” she purrs, which only makes me laugh.

“You’re ridiculous,” I blurt. “But I do have some questions for you. And you can’t say shit to Lennon or Sophie.”

“You think I’mnotgood at keeping secrets or something?”

“I know how you are with your sisters, but this is serious, Mads. Real serious.”

“Okay, what is it?”

“What can you tell me about Weston?” I ask, pulling into the driveway. The call stays silent as I walk inside the house and grab a bottle of water. “Maddie?”

“Yeah, sorry. You kinda blindsided me. I don’t know much about him, honestly, other than he doesn’t want Sophie to hang around anyone but him. She’s cut off Lennon and me, which is fucked up if you ask me. We only get her attention when Weston isn’t around.” I can tell she doesn’t like him very much either, which says a lot. Out of the three of them, she’s the most outgoing and easiest to get along with.

“I’m worried about her, Mason,” she says.

I release a deep breath. “Trust me, I am too.”

“What’re you up to?”

“I’m doing some research. Something isn’t right about her boyfriend, and I’m worried as fuck that he’s not who he says he is.”

“Good.” She sighs. “Thank you. I’ve had a bad feeling about him for a while, but she avoids talking about him. I’ve asked her to join me for lunch so many times over the past month, and she’s given me an excuse every single time. Honestly, I miss my sister and the way things used to be.”

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