Truly Mine - (Mason & Sophie 1, Roommate Duet 3)

I glance over at the clock and see it’s nearly five p.m. A part of me wished, when I woke up, that everything from earlier today would’ve all been a nightmare. Knowing I can’t be late to the reception, I decide to get dressed. When I walk into the bathroom, I’m horrified by how terrible I look. I barely even recognize myself with my disheveled hair, puffy face, and swollen eye. There’s no way I’m going to be able to cover up the bruising and no amount of lying will convince Lennon otherwise. But maybe, if I’m smart, they can save me tonight. It might be my only way to get out of this house and away from Weston for good. Maybe things would be different if we didn’t live together. Maybe we rushed into this, and things moved too quickly. Regardless, his abusive, manipulative nature isn’t a fluke or a one-time thing. This is who he is. Since I moved in, his physical and mental abuse has only gotten worse.

As I’m getting ready, Weston comes into the bedroom and stands in the doorway with drunken eyes. He must’ve been drinking the entire time I was asleep.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“To the reception, remember?” I say in the mirror reflection before turning around and facing him. “You should get dressed, honey. We don’t want to be late.” I’m walking on thin ice, hoping it doesn’t crack and I fall through.

“We’re not going anywhere,” he tells me matter-of-factly. Instead of showing my cards and getting upset, I swallow it down and give one of the best performances of my life.

“Baby, they’re expecting us,” I remind him as I walk toward him, hoping he buys my act. “If we don’t show up, Lennon will get worried, and we don’t want any extra attention on us. Just me and you, remember? Just me and you. It will be fun to get out of the house together.” I smile wide.

He seems to buy it, wrapping his large hand around the nape of my neck, then smashing his alcohol-soaked lips against mine. I force myself to kiss him even though I hate every fucking second. His hands move down my body, and as he squeezes my breast, he moans in my mouth. Feeling him touch me absolutely disgusts me, and I have to fight back a gag.

He moves his sloppy lips down my jawline, ruining my makeup in the process, then sucks on my neck. He sucks hard, causing me to wince and pull back. That’ll leave a mark.

Weston’s eyes meet mine, his flaring with control. “I want to show every person there that you’re mine. You’re fucking mine, Sophie.”

“Of course. They all need to know,” I lie through my teeth.

“Even Mason, your little fuck toy,” he hisses, narrowing his eyes as if he’s studying me.

I nod. “He knows, baby. He knows I belong to you. I’m yours, Weston.” I tell him what he wants to hear, and this seems to please him. He rubs his body against mine, and he’s hard as a rock. I swallow back the bile begging to come up.

Just as he’s convinced, my phone vibrates in my pocket, but I ignore it, not wanting to lose his attention. I want to keep his focus on me and my words.

He runs his fingers through my hair and wads my strands in his fist. As he forces me to look into his eyes, pain rushes from my scalp straight to my heart.

“If you ever leave me, I’ll end you, Soph. If I can’t have you, no one can. Ever.”

I swallow hard and force a smile, though I’m trembling down to the bone.

“I’m not going anywhere, Weston. I’m with you for life.” The words fall out of my mouth like poison, and all I know is that I have to get the fuck out of here, out of his grasp as soon as possible, because I don’t doubt him or his words. One thing is for certain—when it comes to me, he’s not a liar.

Chapter Thirteen

Sophie

I check the text from Lennon and ignore it, knowing I won’t be able to stall all evening. When she told me she’d call the cops, I knew she would do it. Having them show up here with the way that he is and after his admission would only make things worse for me. I need a solid plan without all of that.

After I put on a dress, I go to the bathroom and try to figure out what I’m going to do. I apply enough heavy makeup so it’s not as noticeable, but if anyone stares too long, I’ll have to figure out what to say, especially since Weston will be with me. If I know him as well as I think I do, he’s not going to let me out of his sight, and that’s if we even go.