Page 21 of Between Regrets and Promises

“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 givesthem 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 Iwish 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.

CHAPTER FOUR

SOPHIE

It’s beena month since I drove Mason home from the bar. Though we have known each other for at least a year and have history, hearing him say he regrets not being good enough for me that night has replayed in my mind every day, and I can’t seem to shake it. That night, he played me like a fiddle. He knew if he pulled the drunk card, I’d pick him up, and of course I did. Everyone knows to call me if they need a designated driver, even Mason. The next day, Liam gave me shit for it, and I was half-tempted to tell him what Mason said but kept it to myself. Though Liam can see through me and the way I feel about Mason, I’ve not admitted it because it’s easier to keep those thoughts tucked deep inside.

My phone vibrates on my nightstand, and I grab it. I need to get out of bed and practice. Though I was hired to play in the symphony a year ago, I’m one of the youngest members, so I’m always having to prove my worth to those who have been playing as long as I’ve been alive. Unlocking my phone, I find a text from Lennon.

---