Truly Mine, page 25
She sets her book down and then rounds the coffee table and walks toward the kitchen. “How was your day? And your workout? I should’ve known you were home. You smell sweaty.”
She’s rambling, which usually means she’s nervous. The thought makes me smile because, after all this time, I’d assume she wouldn’t be. Especially if she only saw me as a friend.
I follow her and respond. “All good. Glad to be back even though we’re dealing with some intense cases. Gives me good fuel for my boxing, though.” I reach into the fridge for a bottle of water, then suck it down. “How was your day? Anything exciting?”
Sophie walks around me, grabbing items out of the fridge as she speaks. “It was fine. We’re working on some new music, so that’s always fun. Found a new client for some tutoring lessons and that starts in a week, which is nice. Otherwise, same ole, same ole. Lennon and Maddie met me for lunch, I went to grief circle, and then had coffee with Caleb. Oh, that reminds me—”
Checking my phone, I see it’s close to eight and didn’t realize it was so late. She sure kept busy, though.
“Would you mind if we did the dinner party this Saturday night? I cleared it with everyone else’s schedule, so if you’re free, I’ll make it official and get started on the menu.”
“The menu? How fancy are we talking here?” I lean against the counter as I watch her set a pan on the stovetop and start cooking meat. There’s cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and tomatoes on the counter, which means she’s making tacos, my favorite.
“I have the main course narrowed down to three items, so I’m still deciding, but I’m thinking formal wear. Not suit and tie fancy, but please take ten minutes to shower…” She glances at me with a smug smile.
As she continues talking about appetizers and side dishes, a part of me is worried she’s drowning herself to avoid her true feelings. She’s talked about it some, but it’s been a while since she’s mentioned it. I know she goes to her grief circle, but I don’t know how much she opens up there. It’s been a month since the incident, and I wonder if she’s blocked it out of her mind entirely. Hopefully, the meetings she’s attending are helping, especially since it’s essentially become a weekly routine for her.
I’ve done enough schooling to know this is a common occurrence for trauma victims. They go into shock or block it out completely, which is an avoidance tactic. The shit that asshole put her through was enough to traumatize anyone. Considering how things ended, I wouldn’t be surprised if she deals with it without actually dealing with it.
After she finishes cooking, she sets everything out and hands me a plate of two tacos, made just the way I like them. “Thank you, Sophie.” I reach for her wrist so she’ll stop moving for a second. She’s hell-bent on racing around a million miles per hour. “You didn’t have to cook for me, you know? I appreciate it, though, especially since you made tacos.”
“Well, I was starving waiting for you and contemplated eating without you.” She flashes a sweet smile, and it makes my heart pound harder.
“You didn’t have to wait for me,” I say, releasing her. “Now I feel bad.”
“Nah, don’t. I was caught up in my book anyway.” She waves me off, but I don’t miss the hint of blush on her cheeks. It’s as if being caught doing something nice has given her true feelings away.
We take our plates and drinks to the living room and settle on the couch.
“So what book are you reading anyway? And why did it make you cry?” I ask before taking a massive bite.
“Don’t make fun. I was reading a romance novel, and the main characters can’t be together, which just makes my chest ache. The angst and tension are intense.” I study her as she talks about them as if they’re real people. “And before you say anything, yes, I know it’s just fiction.”
I chuckle when she rolls her eyes. “Damn, you reading my mind now?”
“I’ve learned a lot about you in just this past month.” She smirks. “Then I was reading it while listening to a Calum Scott song, and my heart just shredded.”
Once we finish eating, I clean up since she cooked, then get in the shower. Considering I’m living the plot of her damn romance novel, constantly fighting my feelings because I can’t be with her, my showers last until the water runs cold. I pump my cock over and over until I release all over the wall and curse myself for feeling this way about her. Pissed I missed my damn chance. The more time we spend together, the harder it gets to fight my heart.
By the time I’m done, it’s almost ten o’clock, and I’m exhausted, but I don’t want to miss the opportunity to watch one of our shows before bed. It’s become tradition, and no matter how tired I am, I’ll stay up with her.
I’m surprised to see she isn’t in the living room when I come down, and when I peek into her bedroom, I notice she’s fallen asleep with her book. Walking inside, I click her lamp on and place her book on the nightstand. Then I grab an extra blanket and cover her body since she’s lying on top of her comforter. She looks exhausted, too. Before walking away, I brush a hand over her face and kiss her forehead.
“Good night, sweet Sophie.”
I close her door halfway before walking out.
I should go to bed myself, but now my thoughts are running all over, so I situate on the couch and turn on the TV. She’ll kill me if I watch Lucifer without her, so I click on Liam’s stupid show and watch all the Southern drama on the screen.
My eyelids are heavy, and when I can’t fight it any longer, I eventually lie down. Only a moment passes before I can no longer hear the TV, and I’m drifting off to sleep. I don’t know how much time has passed when I hear wailing and nearly fly off the couch. I rub my eyes and blink until I can read the time on my phone. It’s after three in the morning, and when I hear the noise again, I realize it’s coming from Sophie’s room.
She’s groaning and grinding her teeth. I push open the door and step inside, the light from her lamp shining on her face that’s scrunched and moving from side to side.
Fuck, she’s having a nightmare.
Rushing to her side, I bend down and carefully shake her shoulders while whispering her name. I try to prepare for her to head butt me or claw at me, so I don’t get too close right away.
“Sophie, baby. Wake up,” I say a little louder, adding more pressure to her shoulder. “You’re dreaming.”
She blinks her eyes open, looking all around and then focusing on me. Her chest is rising and falling rapidly, and her forehead is covered in sweat.
“Are you okay?” I ask softly.
Her breathing is shallow, and I place my hand over her cheek to reassure her that she’s safe.
“Yeah, I think so,” she finally responds, pushing her palms into her eyes. “Just a really intense dream that felt way too real.”
She swallows before blowing out a slow, relieved breath. “Sorry if I woke you.”
“Nothing to be sorry for, Soph. I’ll grab you a bottle of water, hold on,” I tell her as she sits up and nods.
Once I’m back, she takes it and sucks half of it before setting it down. “Thank you.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask, cautiously.
She sucks in her lower lip, not meeting my gaze. “It was about Weston,” she answers. “When he’d drink a lot and—”
I grit my teeth, my jaw locking tight at the thought of his hands on her. “I’m so sorry, Soph. I wish so many times I would’ve intervened sooner.”
She shrugs, finally looking at me. “I doubt it would’ve helped. I didn’t see what was right in front of me, and by the time I did, it was too late. I felt trapped and knew getting out would be hard, impossible even. I pushed everyone away because I was ashamed and afraid he’d hurt you all too.”
“None of it was your fault,” I reassure her. “I’m sorry it’s haunting you in your sleep.”
“It started last week, which is weird because they didn’t start right away. But this one felt a little too real. Makes me feel like he’ll just show up and finish the job of what he wanted to do to me and you.”
There’s a tear that she tries to wipe away, but I cup her face with both hands, then kiss her forehead. “I’m here. He’s never going to hurt you again.”
She nods, then takes me by surprise when she wraps her arms around me and pulls me close. “I’m so thankful for you, Mason.” Sophie hugs me as if I’ll disappear the minute she lets go.
Fuck, I want to say so much to her right now. Tell her how sorry I am for treating her the way I did before, for not seeing how amazing she is, for not being strong enough to work through my own shit back then so I could give us a proper chance. All the what-ifs, the coulda-beens that I’m constantly pushing away.
“I’m here, Soph. Always,” I tell her when she releases me. “Move over.” I nod my head toward her bed so she understands what I’m doing. Maybe it’s selfish, but it’s for her too.
Sophie scoots to the far side of the bed, and I slide in behind her. I wrap my arms around her as she rests her head on my chest, and I hold her as though we’re more than just friends.
After a half an hour, I still can’t sleep. My mind is way too alert that Sophie is tucked into my body. She’s flipped over so my chest is to her back, and we’re spooning. I haven’t done this in years...since Emma. It brings a lot of emotions to the surface, but these are different. I like how it feels to hold Sophie. To touch her. My hand on her stomach rubs against her bare skin from where her shirt slid up. She’s so soft and smooth, and my heart pounds at the intimacy of it all. I should stop, get out of her bed, and go to my own room now that she’s sound asleep again, but I don’t just yet.
I reluctantly leave before her alarm goes off and take another long shower before I go to work. I’m dead ass tired but regret nothing. Holding her for hours was just as much for her as it was for me. I wanted to give her more time after Weston’s death and the shitstorm relationship he caused, but my willpower is ready to snap as I keep my feelings tucked away. I can no longer pretend, no longer hold back the feelings screaming to come out, and can no longer pretend I don’t deserve her anymore.
But I’m not sure she’s ready to hear my truths.
Chapter Twenty-One
Mason
Sophie’s been running around the house all day, cleaning, cooking, and stressing over all these tiny details. I can’t tell if it’s just nerves or if it’s a coping mechanism. I’ve asked if I can help with anything a dozen times, and she gives me stupid little tasks such as making sure my room is clean. When I asked her why it mattered, I got some half-ass reasoning as she waved me away.
It’s to a point where I’m a little worried so I go against my better judgment and text her sisters in case I should be concerned or if this is just something she does.
Mason: Your sister is cleaning like a mad woman. Is this her normal nervous behavior?
Lennon: What kind of cleaning are we talking here?
Maddie: Well, she does live with two guys. I’d be cleaning like a crazy person too.
I roll my eyes at her jab.
Mason: Well, she’s currently mopping the ceiling…
Maddie: Oh shit.
Mason: What?
Lennon: That’s level red.
Mason: Meaning what?
Lennon: She’s gone manic.
Maddie: Without even having to take the good stuff.
Mason: What the fuck are you two talking about? English, please!
Lennon: You know when a person takes Adderall who doesn’t need it so instead of it calming them down, it does the opposite effect? That’s Sophie without even having to take meds.
I’m growing more uneasy with each text they send back.
Mason: What triggers it? Nerves?
Lennon: Stress, anxiety, emotional breakdown.
Maddie: It’s happened a few times before.
Mason: WTF? So what am I supposed to do? How do I help her?
Lennon: Honestly, you’re better off just leaving her alone and letting it run its course. She pretends to be strong for so long before her emotions just bubble over and she’s forced to deal with it. She goes a little manic in the process.
I’m not sure I should tell them about the nightmare she had a few nights ago, so to avoid getting on Sophie’s shit list, I keep it to myself. Honestly, they may already know anyway.
Mason: Well, I’m pretty concerned because she’s just running around with her earbuds in, and I don’t think she’s stopped moving in three hours.
Maddie: Get her to drink some OJ or some kind of juice. It’ll level out her blood sugars.
Mason: Okay. Anything else?
Lennon: If you can calm her without freaking her out, that might work to settle her nerves.
Maddie: Banging her up against a door might work.
Lennon: Maddie!
Maddie: It’s a valid suggestion!
Mason: Jesus Christ.
Lennon: Ignore her.
Maddie: Rude!
Mason: Thanks for all your help…
Lennon: She’ll be okay. Just be there for her.
I lock my phone and tuck it into my pocket. Fuck, I don’t know what to do.
After hearing rattling in the kitchen, I jump off the couch and head toward her. With shaking hands, she grabs the dinner plates from the cabinet. Since I tower over her, I grab them from behind her before she drops them on the floor.
“Oh, thanks. They were a little higher up than I could reach. Can you grab those glasses for me too? I’ve polished the silverware, so those are good to go. Now I just need to find a nice serving tray and—” She’s rambling so fast I can barely keep up with what she’s saying. Once I set the plates down on the counter, I grab Sophie’s shoulders and turn her around so she’s forced to face me. Her eyes widen at the sudden movement as I steady her.
“Soph, slow down,” I firmly tell her. “You’re running in circles around the place and—”
“I’m fine. I don’t have time to slow down. The party starts in a few hours, and I have a million more things to do and—”
Thinking about what her sisters said, I say to hell with it and improvise. Before she can speak another word, I cup her face and slant my mouth over hers, fusing our lips together. After a couple of seconds, her body relaxes against mine as if she’s giving me permission to continue.
Knowing I can’t let this go much longer, as much as I fucking want it to, I reluctantly pull away. Tasting Sophie again after all this time might actually be the death of me.
I stare down at her as she catches her breath, and I wonder if she’s going to slap me. When she finally blinks up at me, confusion is written all over her face.
“What was that for?” she asks softly, bringing a finger up to her lips.
“You were starting to lose it and clearly needed to be brought back down to earth,” I tell her, hoping the excuse is valid enough for her to believe. “You’re stressing out, Soph.”
“So...kissing me was to shock me or something?” she asks, and I can’t tell if she’s offended or relieved I snapped her out of it.
Swallowing, I release my hold on her and brush a hand through my hair. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to answer or if I should reveal what her sisters told me.
“You were just freaking me out. Sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. I wanted you to slow down before you—”
“No, I got it. It’s fine,” she says, her voice sharp. “I’m fine.”
“Let me help. Please.”
Sophie nods, and her chest is still rapidly moving. That kiss was maybe ten seconds, but it was the best kiss I’ve had in a long time. Since the last time I kissed her three years ago.
“You can set the table, and I’ll finish prepping the food.”
“Deal.”
When the doorbell rings a few hours later, Sophie is mostly back to her normal self. I can tell she’s a bit anxious, but it’s better than before. I answer the door to greet Hunter, Lennon, Allie, and Maddie.
“Hey, man. Hey, there’s my favorite little lady.” I reach over and kiss Allie’s cheek.
“What am I? Chopped liver?” Maddie steps in around me, scoffing.
“Don’t mind her. She’s sexually frustrated.” Lennon snickers, handing Allie off to Hunter. I usher them into the living room where Liam is already waiting with a case of beer. He wasn’t too excited about this formal dinner either, but I reminded him it was for Sophie, so he caved.
“Soph, your sisters are here,” I call up the stairs. She’s been in the bathroom for almost an hour.
“Coming!”
“She doing better?” Lennon leans over and whispers.
I take two beers and hand one to Hunter before twisting the cap off mine. “Yeah, I did what Maddie suggested, and she’s all good now.”
Hunter nearly chokes on his beer, looking up at me. By his reaction, my guess is Lennon read him our text messages.
“Really?” Maddie squeals, and Lennon scowls at her for being so loud.
“No!” I narrow my eyes at her.
“Pussy,” Maddie whispers, but I hear it clear as day.
“You’ve got quite the foul mouth,” I tease, then glance at Liam, who’s purposely avoiding the conversation.
“So, Hulk. You ready to make a woman out of me yet?”
Maddie has balls, I’ll definitely give her that. She’s bold, and her filter is as nonexistent as our government. She’s young, probably too young for Liam, but she doesn’t let that deter her from hitting on him as often as she can.
She’s rambling, which usually means she’s nervous. The thought makes me smile because, after all this time, I’d assume she wouldn’t be. Especially if she only saw me as a friend.
I follow her and respond. “All good. Glad to be back even though we’re dealing with some intense cases. Gives me good fuel for my boxing, though.” I reach into the fridge for a bottle of water, then suck it down. “How was your day? Anything exciting?”
Sophie walks around me, grabbing items out of the fridge as she speaks. “It was fine. We’re working on some new music, so that’s always fun. Found a new client for some tutoring lessons and that starts in a week, which is nice. Otherwise, same ole, same ole. Lennon and Maddie met me for lunch, I went to grief circle, and then had coffee with Caleb. Oh, that reminds me—”
Checking my phone, I see it’s close to eight and didn’t realize it was so late. She sure kept busy, though.
“Would you mind if we did the dinner party this Saturday night? I cleared it with everyone else’s schedule, so if you’re free, I’ll make it official and get started on the menu.”
“The menu? How fancy are we talking here?” I lean against the counter as I watch her set a pan on the stovetop and start cooking meat. There’s cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and tomatoes on the counter, which means she’s making tacos, my favorite.
“I have the main course narrowed down to three items, so I’m still deciding, but I’m thinking formal wear. Not suit and tie fancy, but please take ten minutes to shower…” She glances at me with a smug smile.
As she continues talking about appetizers and side dishes, a part of me is worried she’s drowning herself to avoid her true feelings. She’s talked about it some, but it’s been a while since she’s mentioned it. I know she goes to her grief circle, but I don’t know how much she opens up there. It’s been a month since the incident, and I wonder if she’s blocked it out of her mind entirely. Hopefully, the meetings she’s attending are helping, especially since it’s essentially become a weekly routine for her.
I’ve done enough schooling to know this is a common occurrence for trauma victims. They go into shock or block it out completely, which is an avoidance tactic. The shit that asshole put her through was enough to traumatize anyone. Considering how things ended, I wouldn’t be surprised if she deals with it without actually dealing with it.
After she finishes cooking, she sets everything out and hands me a plate of two tacos, made just the way I like them. “Thank you, Sophie.” I reach for her wrist so she’ll stop moving for a second. She’s hell-bent on racing around a million miles per hour. “You didn’t have to cook for me, you know? I appreciate it, though, especially since you made tacos.”
“Well, I was starving waiting for you and contemplated eating without you.” She flashes a sweet smile, and it makes my heart pound harder.
“You didn’t have to wait for me,” I say, releasing her. “Now I feel bad.”
“Nah, don’t. I was caught up in my book anyway.” She waves me off, but I don’t miss the hint of blush on her cheeks. It’s as if being caught doing something nice has given her true feelings away.
We take our plates and drinks to the living room and settle on the couch.
“So what book are you reading anyway? And why did it make you cry?” I ask before taking a massive bite.
“Don’t make fun. I was reading a romance novel, and the main characters can’t be together, which just makes my chest ache. The angst and tension are intense.” I study her as she talks about them as if they’re real people. “And before you say anything, yes, I know it’s just fiction.”
I chuckle when she rolls her eyes. “Damn, you reading my mind now?”
“I’ve learned a lot about you in just this past month.” She smirks. “Then I was reading it while listening to a Calum Scott song, and my heart just shredded.”
Once we finish eating, I clean up since she cooked, then get in the shower. Considering I’m living the plot of her damn romance novel, constantly fighting my feelings because I can’t be with her, my showers last until the water runs cold. I pump my cock over and over until I release all over the wall and curse myself for feeling this way about her. Pissed I missed my damn chance. The more time we spend together, the harder it gets to fight my heart.
By the time I’m done, it’s almost ten o’clock, and I’m exhausted, but I don’t want to miss the opportunity to watch one of our shows before bed. It’s become tradition, and no matter how tired I am, I’ll stay up with her.
I’m surprised to see she isn’t in the living room when I come down, and when I peek into her bedroom, I notice she’s fallen asleep with her book. Walking inside, I click her lamp on and place her book on the nightstand. Then I grab an extra blanket and cover her body since she’s lying on top of her comforter. She looks exhausted, too. Before walking away, I brush a hand over her face and kiss her forehead.
“Good night, sweet Sophie.”
I close her door halfway before walking out.
I should go to bed myself, but now my thoughts are running all over, so I situate on the couch and turn on the TV. She’ll kill me if I watch Lucifer without her, so I click on Liam’s stupid show and watch all the Southern drama on the screen.
My eyelids are heavy, and when I can’t fight it any longer, I eventually lie down. Only a moment passes before I can no longer hear the TV, and I’m drifting off to sleep. I don’t know how much time has passed when I hear wailing and nearly fly off the couch. I rub my eyes and blink until I can read the time on my phone. It’s after three in the morning, and when I hear the noise again, I realize it’s coming from Sophie’s room.
She’s groaning and grinding her teeth. I push open the door and step inside, the light from her lamp shining on her face that’s scrunched and moving from side to side.
Fuck, she’s having a nightmare.
Rushing to her side, I bend down and carefully shake her shoulders while whispering her name. I try to prepare for her to head butt me or claw at me, so I don’t get too close right away.
“Sophie, baby. Wake up,” I say a little louder, adding more pressure to her shoulder. “You’re dreaming.”
She blinks her eyes open, looking all around and then focusing on me. Her chest is rising and falling rapidly, and her forehead is covered in sweat.
“Are you okay?” I ask softly.
Her breathing is shallow, and I place my hand over her cheek to reassure her that she’s safe.
“Yeah, I think so,” she finally responds, pushing her palms into her eyes. “Just a really intense dream that felt way too real.”
She swallows before blowing out a slow, relieved breath. “Sorry if I woke you.”
“Nothing to be sorry for, Soph. I’ll grab you a bottle of water, hold on,” I tell her as she sits up and nods.
Once I’m back, she takes it and sucks half of it before setting it down. “Thank you.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask, cautiously.
She sucks in her lower lip, not meeting my gaze. “It was about Weston,” she answers. “When he’d drink a lot and—”
I grit my teeth, my jaw locking tight at the thought of his hands on her. “I’m so sorry, Soph. I wish so many times I would’ve intervened sooner.”
She shrugs, finally looking at me. “I doubt it would’ve helped. I didn’t see what was right in front of me, and by the time I did, it was too late. I felt trapped and knew getting out would be hard, impossible even. I pushed everyone away because I was ashamed and afraid he’d hurt you all too.”
“None of it was your fault,” I reassure her. “I’m sorry it’s haunting you in your sleep.”
“It started last week, which is weird because they didn’t start right away. But this one felt a little too real. Makes me feel like he’ll just show up and finish the job of what he wanted to do to me and you.”
There’s a tear that she tries to wipe away, but I cup her face with both hands, then kiss her forehead. “I’m here. He’s never going to hurt you again.”
She nods, then takes me by surprise when she wraps her arms around me and pulls me close. “I’m so thankful for you, Mason.” Sophie hugs me as if I’ll disappear the minute she lets go.
Fuck, I want to say so much to her right now. Tell her how sorry I am for treating her the way I did before, for not seeing how amazing she is, for not being strong enough to work through my own shit back then so I could give us a proper chance. All the what-ifs, the coulda-beens that I’m constantly pushing away.
“I’m here, Soph. Always,” I tell her when she releases me. “Move over.” I nod my head toward her bed so she understands what I’m doing. Maybe it’s selfish, but it’s for her too.
Sophie scoots to the far side of the bed, and I slide in behind her. I wrap my arms around her as she rests her head on my chest, and I hold her as though we’re more than just friends.
After a half an hour, I still can’t sleep. My mind is way too alert that Sophie is tucked into my body. She’s flipped over so my chest is to her back, and we’re spooning. I haven’t done this in years...since Emma. It brings a lot of emotions to the surface, but these are different. I like how it feels to hold Sophie. To touch her. My hand on her stomach rubs against her bare skin from where her shirt slid up. She’s so soft and smooth, and my heart pounds at the intimacy of it all. I should stop, get out of her bed, and go to my own room now that she’s sound asleep again, but I don’t just yet.
I reluctantly leave before her alarm goes off and take another long shower before I go to work. I’m dead ass tired but regret nothing. Holding her for hours was just as much for her as it was for me. I wanted to give her more time after Weston’s death and the shitstorm relationship he caused, but my willpower is ready to snap as I keep my feelings tucked away. I can no longer pretend, no longer hold back the feelings screaming to come out, and can no longer pretend I don’t deserve her anymore.
But I’m not sure she’s ready to hear my truths.
Chapter Twenty-One
Mason
Sophie’s been running around the house all day, cleaning, cooking, and stressing over all these tiny details. I can’t tell if it’s just nerves or if it’s a coping mechanism. I’ve asked if I can help with anything a dozen times, and she gives me stupid little tasks such as making sure my room is clean. When I asked her why it mattered, I got some half-ass reasoning as she waved me away.
It’s to a point where I’m a little worried so I go against my better judgment and text her sisters in case I should be concerned or if this is just something she does.
Mason: Your sister is cleaning like a mad woman. Is this her normal nervous behavior?
Lennon: What kind of cleaning are we talking here?
Maddie: Well, she does live with two guys. I’d be cleaning like a crazy person too.
I roll my eyes at her jab.
Mason: Well, she’s currently mopping the ceiling…
Maddie: Oh shit.
Mason: What?
Lennon: That’s level red.
Mason: Meaning what?
Lennon: She’s gone manic.
Maddie: Without even having to take the good stuff.
Mason: What the fuck are you two talking about? English, please!
Lennon: You know when a person takes Adderall who doesn’t need it so instead of it calming them down, it does the opposite effect? That’s Sophie without even having to take meds.
I’m growing more uneasy with each text they send back.
Mason: What triggers it? Nerves?
Lennon: Stress, anxiety, emotional breakdown.
Maddie: It’s happened a few times before.
Mason: WTF? So what am I supposed to do? How do I help her?
Lennon: Honestly, you’re better off just leaving her alone and letting it run its course. She pretends to be strong for so long before her emotions just bubble over and she’s forced to deal with it. She goes a little manic in the process.
I’m not sure I should tell them about the nightmare she had a few nights ago, so to avoid getting on Sophie’s shit list, I keep it to myself. Honestly, they may already know anyway.
Mason: Well, I’m pretty concerned because she’s just running around with her earbuds in, and I don’t think she’s stopped moving in three hours.
Maddie: Get her to drink some OJ or some kind of juice. It’ll level out her blood sugars.
Mason: Okay. Anything else?
Lennon: If you can calm her without freaking her out, that might work to settle her nerves.
Maddie: Banging her up against a door might work.
Lennon: Maddie!
Maddie: It’s a valid suggestion!
Mason: Jesus Christ.
Lennon: Ignore her.
Maddie: Rude!
Mason: Thanks for all your help…
Lennon: She’ll be okay. Just be there for her.
I lock my phone and tuck it into my pocket. Fuck, I don’t know what to do.
After hearing rattling in the kitchen, I jump off the couch and head toward her. With shaking hands, she grabs the dinner plates from the cabinet. Since I tower over her, I grab them from behind her before she drops them on the floor.
“Oh, thanks. They were a little higher up than I could reach. Can you grab those glasses for me too? I’ve polished the silverware, so those are good to go. Now I just need to find a nice serving tray and—” She’s rambling so fast I can barely keep up with what she’s saying. Once I set the plates down on the counter, I grab Sophie’s shoulders and turn her around so she’s forced to face me. Her eyes widen at the sudden movement as I steady her.
“Soph, slow down,” I firmly tell her. “You’re running in circles around the place and—”
“I’m fine. I don’t have time to slow down. The party starts in a few hours, and I have a million more things to do and—”
Thinking about what her sisters said, I say to hell with it and improvise. Before she can speak another word, I cup her face and slant my mouth over hers, fusing our lips together. After a couple of seconds, her body relaxes against mine as if she’s giving me permission to continue.
Knowing I can’t let this go much longer, as much as I fucking want it to, I reluctantly pull away. Tasting Sophie again after all this time might actually be the death of me.
I stare down at her as she catches her breath, and I wonder if she’s going to slap me. When she finally blinks up at me, confusion is written all over her face.
“What was that for?” she asks softly, bringing a finger up to her lips.
“You were starting to lose it and clearly needed to be brought back down to earth,” I tell her, hoping the excuse is valid enough for her to believe. “You’re stressing out, Soph.”
“So...kissing me was to shock me or something?” she asks, and I can’t tell if she’s offended or relieved I snapped her out of it.
Swallowing, I release my hold on her and brush a hand through my hair. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to answer or if I should reveal what her sisters told me.
“You were just freaking me out. Sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. I wanted you to slow down before you—”
“No, I got it. It’s fine,” she says, her voice sharp. “I’m fine.”
“Let me help. Please.”
Sophie nods, and her chest is still rapidly moving. That kiss was maybe ten seconds, but it was the best kiss I’ve had in a long time. Since the last time I kissed her three years ago.
“You can set the table, and I’ll finish prepping the food.”
“Deal.”
When the doorbell rings a few hours later, Sophie is mostly back to her normal self. I can tell she’s a bit anxious, but it’s better than before. I answer the door to greet Hunter, Lennon, Allie, and Maddie.
“Hey, man. Hey, there’s my favorite little lady.” I reach over and kiss Allie’s cheek.
“What am I? Chopped liver?” Maddie steps in around me, scoffing.
“Don’t mind her. She’s sexually frustrated.” Lennon snickers, handing Allie off to Hunter. I usher them into the living room where Liam is already waiting with a case of beer. He wasn’t too excited about this formal dinner either, but I reminded him it was for Sophie, so he caved.
“Soph, your sisters are here,” I call up the stairs. She’s been in the bathroom for almost an hour.
“Coming!”
“She doing better?” Lennon leans over and whispers.
I take two beers and hand one to Hunter before twisting the cap off mine. “Yeah, I did what Maddie suggested, and she’s all good now.”
Hunter nearly chokes on his beer, looking up at me. By his reaction, my guess is Lennon read him our text messages.
“Really?” Maddie squeals, and Lennon scowls at her for being so loud.
“No!” I narrow my eyes at her.
“Pussy,” Maddie whispers, but I hear it clear as day.
“You’ve got quite the foul mouth,” I tease, then glance at Liam, who’s purposely avoiding the conversation.
“So, Hulk. You ready to make a woman out of me yet?”
Maddie has balls, I’ll definitely give her that. She’s bold, and her filter is as nonexistent as our government. She’s young, probably too young for Liam, but she doesn’t let that deter her from hitting on him as often as she can.
