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None of this was supposed to happen. Mason and I were finally on the same page, getting ready to start our relationship, and then it imploded around us. The strength I hid behind and emotions I pushed down after Weston’s death blew up in my face the moment Dalton captured me.
I’d never been so scared in my entire life. Knowing the guys would come for me, I prayed for a miracle that somehow no one would get shot. My worst fear was that someone would die trying to save me, and I’m thankful every day that didn’t happen.
I’m the fool who let Dalton into my life.
Why didn’t I know better? Why was my gut reaction to befriend a strange man and allow him into my life with hopes to help him instead of fearing him? I can’t get the thoughts out of my mind. I should’ve listened to Mason and not fallen for Dalton’s sob story and charm.
The internal battle keeps me awake at night until I cry myself to sleep. Then the next day comes, and the guilt returns, eating me whole as I try to push the demons away throughout the day.
“Soph? You awake?” I hear Mason knock.
“Yeah, come in,” I say without turning toward the door. His feet softly pad against the floor as he enters.
“I brought you some coffee,” he tells me, and I hear the sound of a mug being placed on my nightstand. “I made breakfast, too, if you’re hungry. Thought maybe we could talk while we eat. You can catch me up on everything from this past week.” His voice sounds hopeful, and I hate that I’m the reason for it.
Though we texted during my trip, I left out a lot of details. Speaking with that counselor helped me see a lot of things, but it didn’t answer all of my questions. I’ll continue speaking with a professional, but my biggest worry is that I’ll never be at peace again. Not after an innocent woman died.
Wiping under my eyes, I turn around and sit up, letting my legs hang off the bed. “Thanks, I’m starving.”
I grab my cup and follow him out of my room. He has a whole spread of fruit, eggs, and bacon set up on the kitchen table.
“Wow, you made enough for an army.” I take a seat on one side. “Smells really good.”
“Well…I couldn’t sleep. Got up and decided to make breakfast and kinda lost track of time and ended up making more than usual. I’ll save whatever we don’t eat for Liam, though. He’s a machine.”
Mason’s teasing voice has me chuckling, and I nod in agreement. Liam is never not hungry.
He takes the seat across from me, and we both dig in, filling our plates full of food. I feel like I haven’t eaten in days and have missed his cooking and company.
“This is nice,” I admit, blocking out the darkness that threatens to take over. “Sitting with you over breakfast like before. Feels normal.”
He smiles and nods. “It’s been a lonely week without you. Liam was moping around like a lost kitty.”
“You mean you were, asshole…” Liam chimes in at the perfect time, stalking into the kitchen in only his boxers. Yep, nothing’s changed around here.
“You didn’t miss me, Hulk?” I taunt, wondering if he’ll deny it or call me out for using that nickname he hates.
“Of course I did,” he finally responds after grabbing a plate. He flashes me a wink, then starts piling food on his plate. “I just didn’t act like a middle schooler nursing their first heartbreak.”
“Hey, Sheila LeBlanc told me I could sit by her at lunch and then changed her mind in fifth period. I was devastated,” Mason retorts, throwing a piece of bacon at Liam who picks it up and eats it. “She was my first girlfriend,” Mason explains.
I grin. “Sounded serious.”
“Best three days of my life,” he says, smirking.
“Three days? You were basically pussy-whipped by then,” Liam mocks, grabbing the milk from the fridge, then chugging it right from the jug.
“That’s gross, Liam!” I scold. “I think I know why you’re single…”
“Oh, the types of girls he’s had parading around here in our college days wouldn’t blink twice at that. They weren’t exactly after his…manners.”
Then Liam puts it away, faces us, and pats his six-pack abs. “They were definitely after something else.”
“Your one-of-a-kind personality?” I smirk before shoving a forkful of eggs into my mouth.
Mason snorts when Liam glares. “Women are all the same. Just see me as a piece of meat. Relationships are so overrated.”
“Ironic when you’re putting a pound of bacon on your plate…” I snicker. “And maybe if you gave it an actual chance, you could find a woman who’s after something more.”
“Look, I love you like a sister, but you’re kinda enough work for me as it is. Always having to get you out of trouble is my new full-time job. There’s no time for relationships with you as a roommate.” He flashes me a wink, but it causes me to frown. I know he’s joking, but underneath, there’s some truth to it. “Soph. Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.”
