Page 47 of Between Regrets and Promises

“Let go of me,” I say between gritted teeth as tears being to spill down my cheeks.

As if the tears woke him from his drunken stupor, he looks at me with sad eyes and releases his hold on me. “Oh my God, Soph.” He blinks, then scrubs a hand down his face.

Night and day.

I pull my arms back and rub the area where he held on to me, but I can already see it’s going to bruise. The tears continue to fall, and I walk away from him, but he follows me.

“Sophie, I’m sorry. Baby, don’t leave,” he begs. “Please.”

I look at him but can’t find the right words. I don’t want to upset him further because he’s been drinking so much, but I can’t have him thinking it’s okay to put his hands on me.

“That can never happen again,” I tell him flatly.

He closes the gap between us, opens his arms, then pulls me into them. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” He holds me against his chest. “I had a bad day and didn’t mean to take it out on you. I’d never do anything to hurt you, sweetheart. I’m so fucking sorry.” As we release our embrace, he leans down and kisses me and apologizes again. Iwantto believe him. I have to.

Before we go to bed, I walk into the bathroom. When I see what he’s done, it causes me to cry even more. Never, in my life, did I think he’d do this. I’ve seen him in a new light. I try to let my emotions out quietly, but eventually, he knocks on the door.

“You okay in there?” His soft voice sounds like the guy I’ve fallen for and not the monster I saw tonight.

I quickly wipe my tears away and turn on the water to splash my face. “Yep, almost done.”

By the time I enter the bedroom, he’s already passed out, still fully dressed, and snoring. I undress him so he’ll sleep comfortably, though, at this point, I’m not sure if he deserves to. After he’s down to his boxer briefs, I pull the blankets over him and crawl into bed. It takes a while for me to fall asleep, but eventually, I do, with sadness in my heart.

The next few days are awkward between us, but I’ve been trying to forget it as he shows me how sorry he is for what happened.

A few mornings later, I stir awake to Weston kissing my cheek and telling me goodbye. It’s early, but he makes sure to wake me anyway. He’s been trying, as much as he can, and I appreciate his effort.

“I love you so damn much, Sophie. I’m sorry again for what I did,” he softly says before placing a sweet, lingering kiss on my lips. He’s apologized every day since it happened.

“I love you too,” I whisper. “Don’t forget tonight is my sister’s secret proposal,” I remind him. “You’re still coming with me, aren’t you?”

“Absolutely. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He winks. “Love you.”

I repeat his words before he stands to leave for his day. After falling back asleep, I wake up around eight to a text message from Hunter, but I’m not too alarmed by it because he’s been texting me lately to discuss his plans.

Hunter

You awake?

Sophie

Sure am. I’ve not had coffee yet, though, so tread lightly.

I get out of bed and make a pot because I need all the caffeine I can get right now after not sleeping very well.

Hunter

You think you can distract Lennon today? Ask her to go grocery shopping or something? I need her out of the apartment. I didn’t think about how I’d get everything set up if she’s coming directly home after work.

Sophie

You got it, bro. Is it weird to call you bro?

Hunter

Ha-ha. Yeah. Don’t do that. Weirdo.

I snort and pour myself a cup, then add my favorite creamer. I nearly orgasm when I take my first sip because it’s so damn good.

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