Page 84 of Between Regrets and Promises

“Oh my God!” Lennon’s outburst nearly has me spewing my drink all over her. She’s been staring with her mouth open, shocked as hell when I confess the real story of how Mason and I first met that night.

“In the bathroom? How does that even work?” Maddie asks.

“Like…you want a play by play?”

“I know how sex works, but in a bathroom? Ew!”

“I’m with Mads on this one.” Lennon snickers.

“It wasn’tew!” I laugh, my cheeks burning with heat. “It was hot and spontaneous and probably should’ve never happened, but it did. It’s made things weird for sure, but I think we’re finally over that. I think of Mason as one of my closest friends now. I know it’s only been a week since the incident, but it’s as if we’ve been able to pick up where we left off years ago. Before all the awkwardness, even before Weston and I met.”

Just saying his name aloud makes me want to vomit.

“You two are gonna do it again,” Maddie says casually before taking a sip of her soda. “I’m calling it.”

“Oh, I’d put money on that bet.” Lennon nods. “I had a feeling about him. The way he tried to pretend you didn’t exist and purposely gave you short answers. It was as if he was trying to shield himself from falling for you. Butwhy?”

“Yes, why?” Maddie says in a mocking tone, pursing her lips together. “Let’s dissect this and figure out what Mason’s deep issues are and why he won’t fuck you again.”

“God, Maddie.” I nudge her. “Can we talk about your sex life instead? Oh wait…” I taunt, knowing that’ll get her off this subject.

“Ugh.” She groans. “I think I’m gonna sell it off. I mean, why not get paid for something so many men want to experience? Deflowering a virgin, that’s gotta be worth a few grand at least! Plus, I could use the money and maybe buy myself a damn car.”

“You are not selling your V-card!” I scold, though I’m happy that they’re done talking about my life for once.

“There are websites and apps for it! I’m so doing it!” she threatens, unlocking her phone, but I’m quick to grab it out of her hands.

“Do I need to call our parents and let them know their youngest daughter, their baby, is looking not only to have sexbefore marriage but alsosellherself to a man? You want to have that conversation?”

Maddie rolls her eyes and relaxes her shoulders as if she doesn’t give a shit. “Why don’t you send them a picture of my tattoo while you’re at it too? Give them a stroke for sure.”

I slam her phone down on the table in front of her. “Someone dropped you as a child, didn’t they?”

Lennon chuckles, then excuses herself for the third time to go pee.

“I’m keeping my eyes on you,” I half-threaten when the three of us walk back to the car. “I’ll hire Liam to be your personal security if I have to.”

“Oh no, don’t do that…” she deadpans. “Don’t have the big, burly, and well-endowed man follow me around at all hours of the day!” She puts her hands up in a mock prayer.

“I’m done with you,” I say, pushing her away.

“You had that coming,” Lennon tells me. “She’d probably climb Liam like a tree and give him a run for his money.”

“Let us all pray for his safety instead then.”

Later that night as I lie in my new bed and look around my new room, I find my mind circling with thoughts I can’t seem to sort out. Lennon’s words from earlier in the week about finding a grieving support group weigh on my shoulders. Maybe she’sright, and I should look for a way to cope with my emotions and how this really affects me.

Instead of rolling over to go to sleep, I grab my phone and search for local groups, and after a few minutes, I find a grief circle at a church that isn’t far. I read about what it is, who it’s for and how it can help, and decide to give it a chance. If it’s not for me, then at least I tried and won’t go back.

With my mind decided, I lock my phone and bury my head in my pillow to drift off to sleep.

The next morning, I’m woken up by a knock, and when I peel my eyes half open, I find Mason in the doorway with two mugs.

A girl could get used to waking up like this every day.

“Morning, sleepyhead.” He smirks, walking all the way in. My eyes scan down his body, enjoying the view as my gaze shoots back up to meet his expression with one brow arched.

“Uh, hi,” I croak, then clear my throat.

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