Page 55 of Between Regrets and Promises

Before going home, we stop at a twenty-four-hour diner. We order coffee and the daily breakfast special. I’m half-tempted to call Sophie right now and tell her she needs to leave Weston, but it’s as if Liam can read my thoughts because he shakes his head.

“Sophie isn’t gonna listen to us. You know that, right?” He sips his coffee, peering over the rim of the cup.

“Maybe she’ll listen to me.” I’d like to think she’d be reasonable, but after her reaction at Hunter and Lennon’s proposal, I’m not sure. Things have been awkward between us since then. More awkward than normal.

Roaring laughter rips through the quiet diner. “Doubtful. You’re the last person on the planet Sophie is gonna listen to.”

I arch an eyebrow at him. “You’re not a tad dramatic.”

Liam shrugs. “No, just realistic. She’s pissed at you. She’s been pissed at you.”

“For what? I didn’t do shit. I’ve always had her best interests in mind.”

I want to smack the shit-eating grin off his face. “Does she know that, though?”

A frustrated groan released. “Sheshould.”

“Let me see. You’ve had a thing for her for years and refuse to do anything about it, which, I understand why. But then she finally starts dating someone, and you’ve got nothing but negative things to say about it. Again, I get why but?—”

“He’s a creep,” I interject.

“Right. But your timing is shit. So it makes you look like the jealous guy who never stepped up, and that’s how she views all of this. I don’t think you could say anything to fix that either.”

When our breakfast arrives, Liam eats as if he hasn’t seen food for a month. Considering he worked all day yesterday and got home late, there’s no telling when he ate last, especially when he’s on special assignments.

“Do you think we could get her to the house?” I ask. “Maybe she’d listen to you if she won’t give me the time of day?”

“Possibly, but she’s been avoiding me too.” Liam shrugs. “I can text her and see if she’ll come over. If not, you’re gonna have to go to her. I think she has a right to know, but you need to be the one to tell her. If I know Sophie as well as I think I do, she’s gonna have a fuckton of questions and want an explanation.”

He’s right, but a part of me doesn’t know where to start. If she already thinks I’m the jealous guy who wouldn’t make a move, then I’m doomed from the start, but I have to try. The last thing I want is for something to happen to her while knowing all of this and not tell her. I’m already living with impossible guilt from my past. I don’t need to add more to it.

“You’re right. If you can get her to the house, I’ll make sure she gets the message.”

“It’s gonna be hard as hell, but I know what’s at risk here. I’ll make it happen, even if I have to call Lennon and Maddie and get them involved too. I hate being the bastard who makes it a family matter, but that’s where we’re at with this.”

“I agree. That’s exactly where we’re at.”

“Hell, I’ll carry her to the house caveman style if I have to,” he adds.

“Kicking and screaming?” I mock.

He snorts. “Wouldn’t be my first time.”

“And in case she refuses to listen to me, plan B is you intervene and tell her he has a record, so she knows ourconcerns are valid. You didn’t break her heart, so perhaps she’ll give you more than five seconds to explain.”

We finish eating and go home. Liam goes to his room, and I rush to get ready for work and somehow make it on time. The day drags by, and Liam texts me in the afternoon and lets me know Sophie agreed to meet him for dinner tomorrow at the house, but she was vocal about me not being there. This might be a lot harder than I originally thought.

Mason

Fine. I’ll make myself “unavailable” for an hour, then I’m coming home, and we’re having an unavoidable chat.

Liam

She’s gonna hate me as much as she hates you for this.

Mason

Then you can join the club.

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