Page 10 of Between Regrets and Promises (Between Us Trilogy #2)

The check is delivered just in time. Dad hands over his credit card, then signs the receipt, and we both stand. He speaks loud enough for everyone near us to hear. “We’ll have to get together again soon, son.”

He pulls me into a tight hug but shows no emotion. It’s just an action for him without any meaning behind it. I force a smile and get the hell out of there as quickly as I can. He doesn’t follow me.

Once I’m in my truck, I pull out of the parking lot and head toward the gym to work off some of my frustrations.

Keeping an extra bag of clean clothes with me comes in handy at times like this.

The lunch itself didn’t go terribly bad, but too much unspoken tension has lingered between us for years.

To my father, I’m a failure, or at least that’s how he makes me feel.

What sucks is, after all this time, a part of me still wants to make him proud.

It doesn’t take me long to park, go inside the gym, and change.

I grab some gloves and put them on, then enter one of the training areas.

With everything I have, I work out all of my pent-up annoyance.

I’m gasping for air as I push myself to the limit.

It doesn’t take long for exhaustion to hit, and I’m thankful I found this escape after graduation.

While getting my undergrad degree, I kept busy training and playing football.

It helped me cope, and I needed that when I left. Boxing keeps me sane.

My arms feel like Jell-O, and I suck in deep breaths, trying to cool down as I grab my bag and go back to the truck.

I pull out my cell phone and text all my friends to see if they want to go out tonight.

Considering I’m gonna be forced to work with dead people for the next six months to a year, I need to be with the living while I can.

Before I reverse, text messages come like crazy.

Brandon has plans with Lennon, but Liam and Hunter are down.

The three of us together only means one thing—trouble.

It’s exactly what I need. Tonight, we’re gonna relive our frat days. Fuck, I can’t wait.

I go home and put my dirty clothes in the wash, then hop in the shower. After I’m dressed, I head to the bar and pre-game. Although that’s probably a bad idea, I don’t give a damn. By the time Hunter and Liam arrive, I’m three shots and a beer in.

“Dude, are you already fucking drunk?” Hunter asks.

“Not yet!” I shout over the music.

Liam places his hand on my shoulder. “Ready to get this party started?”

“Fuck yeah!” I tell him as he orders double shots of tequila for the three of us.

We’re the loud, annoying guys at the bar, but I give no fucks.

We take our shots, and Hunter orders another round.

I’m tempted to text our other roommate to come hang out with us, but she’s been so busy with work that I’m sure she’s already in bed.

“How’d it go today with your dad?” Liam asks before we shoot down the alcohol. I’ve already gotten to the point in the night where it all tastes like water, so I just grin like an idiot.

“The same as always. He reminded me of how much of a dick he is and how much of a disappointment I am.”

“Fuck him!” Hunter says. “He’s just like my dad. Both assholes.”

“Totally.” I nod and laugh. Since Hunter’s dad is in politics, he grew up in the same type of household as me.

Their relationship is just as rocky, but he’s written his father off.

I wish I could do the same, but since I hope to one day be working as a forensic investigator, and that department reports directly to the DA, he’ll always be in my life in one way or another.

The music blares, and I find myself needing to sit because I’m too wobbly on my feet to stand.

Hunter and Liam are both snagged by ladies and led to the dance floor.

Instead of trying to follow along, I pull out my phone and scan through my contacts and come across Sophie’s name.

Sweet Sophie. Just seeing her name programmed in my phone makes my heart pound.

Our friendship hasn’t changed much over the last year, and I still think about her kisses and the way she tasted, though I shouldn’t.

I don’t want to give her the wrong idea by getting too close, but anytime I’m with the guys and she’s there, it’s hard to take my eyes off her.

I know my rejection stung, but I wish she’d believe me when I tell her it’s what’s best for her .

That doesn’t mean I don’t wish I were capable of giving her more.

Since I’m a glutton for punishment, I find myself typing up a message because I want her here, right now. Though I’ve restrained myself from texting her after our amazing night together, the tequila is encouraging me to do it.

Mason

Whatcha doing tonight? Come meet me at the bar.

The text bubble pops up, and it makes me smile. I’m sure she’s going to tell me to fuck off or throw it in my face that we’re just friends.

Sophie

No thanks. Not looking for a repeat of the first night we met.

Mason

But you have to admit it was pretty unforgettable.

She sends me an eye roll emoji, and I find myself reliving those moments with her in the bathroom bar. Fuck, it was one of the hottest moments of my life.

Sophie

Error 404. Contact not found.

Mason

That’s for websites, so nice try.

Sophie

Whatever. Go away.

Mason

Oh, come on. I’ll buy you a drink.

Sophie

Isn’t that what got us into this mess in the first place? Also, I’d prefer not to watch you flirt with every chick in the bar, you know, because you’re not “relationship material.”

I laugh because the only person I’m talking to right now is her. She’s the only woman I’ve talked to all week.

Mason

I’ll buy you two drinks then since, you know, you said it took more than one drink to seduce you

Sophie

I must’ve blacked out during our first conversation.

Mason

Trust me, you were very alert…checking out every inch of me.

Sophie

How much have you had to drink?

Thinking about it, I honestly can’t remember. A fucking lot.

Mason

Too many? Maybe I need you to be my designated driver

Knowing how motherly she is, I chuckle. If anything will get her here, it’s that. She’s too caring to ignore me, but we’ll see.

My bladder is full, so I stand and tuck my phone in my pocket.

I stumble on my way to the bathroom, bumping into shit.

On the way back, I cut across the dance floor, which ends up being a huge mistake.

I get knocked around like a ping pong ball and find myself laughing over the hilarity of it.

There are so many people here, I might never make it back to order another drink.

I run into Hunter who’s dancing close with some redhead.

“Lost?” He snickers.

Shaking my head, I flip him off and squeeze between bodies until I force myself to the other side of the bar.

When I make it back, I plop down on my stool, and after I order another beer, a woman slides in the seat right next to me.

The smell of her sweet perfume has me turning my head, and when I find Sophie, my eyes go wide.

“You came,” I say, grinning.

She narrows her eyes at me. “Only because you pulled the DD card.”

“I know you so well,” I say, the alcohol swimming through my bloodstream, giving me way too much courage.

“You wish you did,” she retorts. “Ready to go home? By the way your eyes are crossing, I think you’ve had enough to drink.”

I nod, just wanting to be alone with her without having to strain to hear her over the music. Standing, I nearly fall over, and luckily, she catches me. Our faces are so damn close that I can smell the peppermint on her breath.

“Sorry,” I softly say.

She wraps her arm around my waist. “Yep, you’re so done. Where’s Liam?”

I shrug, playing dumb because I’m sure she’d ream his ass, but we’re all three sheets to the wind at this point.

She shakes her head but doesn’t let me go.

On the way out, we pass Hunter and Liam dancing with two girls, and they give me shit as Sophie explains she’s taking me home.

As expected, she gives them a stern talking-to about drinking too much, which only makes them laugh their asses off.

“Don’t puke in her car.” Liam cackles, and I flip him off. Sophie holds me tight as I wobble beside her.

“Okay, okay. Time to go,” she says, pulling me away from them. When we walk outside, the warm summer breeze blows through her dark hair, and I can smell her sweet shampoo.

“You smell so good.”

She snorts. “You’re so drunk.”

When we get to her car, she unlocks the door and helps me inside, buckling me up like a little kid.

She reaches over me, and I’m tempted to taste her lips again.

It’s been so long, but it’s something I’ve never forgotten.

Our eyes meet, and her breath hitches. I swallow hard, and she pulls away, shutting the door and walking around to the driver’s side.

“You’re too good to me. I don’t deserve this. I don’t deserve you,” I mutter.

After she cranks the car, Sophie glances at me. “You might one day…if you grow up.”

I smile, closing my eyes. “Hmm. Maybe one day, Sweet Sophie.”

On the way home, I drift off as the booze takes over. It seems Sophie drives like a bat out of hell because it only takes all of a minute to arrive at my house. She pulls into the driveway and parks. I look at her, the streetlight casting an orange glow in the car.

“Damn,” I whisper. “You’re so beautiful.”

“You’re so wasted.”

I shake my head. “Even so, you really are. I’ve got a few regrets in life, Soph. But one of my biggest is not being good enough for you.”

Sophie leans her head back against the seat, and her eyes meet mine. There’s disappointment behind them, and while I wish she would say something, it’s not the time—not with me in my current state and my lips being way too loose.

“Good night, Mason. You should probably go to bed.”

I suck in a deep breath before reaching for the door handle. “Good night. And thank you.”

She gives me a quizzical look.

“Thanks for coming to my rescue. Hunter and Liam were preoccupied and intoxicated.”

She giggles. “You’re welcome. But next time, try Uber.”

“Nah, there’s no driver out there as pretty as you.” I blink hard and smile, then stumble my way through the front door.

Once I’m inside, I kick off my shoes, then slowly make my way upstairs to my bedroom. Plopping on my bed, I close my eyes, and all I can see is the sad look on Sophie’s face. I wish I could give her what she needs, but I can’t because she deserves better than me.

Sophie deserves it all.