Ace's POV

I grinded my teeth and clenched my hands into fists as Sophie followed Michael out of the restaurant. I kept my eyes locked on her. They sat on a bench that was miraculously in my view.

Why did Michael have to be here? Sophie and I were having a perfectly good time. Michael just has to go and ruin every thing... again. No. I will not let him win this time.

"So, you took her to church for a first date?"

I jerk my head towards Jaxon and hurt my neck in the process. I rub my neck and close my eyes. "I didn't think she would go."

Jaxon shrugs. "At least you know that she doesn't have a boyfriend now."

My eyes float back to the beautiful, young woman outside.

"I really hope I find a love like you two have one day," Jaxon says. "I also hope you choose me as your best man at your wedding."

I cannot help but smile and turn to Jaxon. "It has always been you and me from the beginning. Of course it will be you, dude."

Jaxon grins. "Aaron can be your ring bearer."

"Is this what girls do all the time?" I question.

Jaxon shrugs. "Ask Sophie."

"No! Then she will think I'm going to propose."

"Aren't you going to?"

I stay quiet.

"I knew it."

"Well, don't tell anyone."

"Do you still have the ring?"

"Yeah. I never got rid of it."

Michael's POV

I sit down on the bench and lean forward. I stare at my hands that are laced together. "I'm sorry, Sophie. I'm so sorry. I can't tell you enough and I don't expect you to forgive me after what I've done."

"What happened, Michael? It seemed like one day every thing was fine and the next you and Ace were about to fight each other and destroy each other in the process." Sophie says and I see her shadow move just as she does.

"Well, if you don't know, I liked you in high school. I know you probably don't want to hear that but it is true. I probably liked you the same time Ace did, in fact, I'd say all of us did. Ace just made the first move and the other guys respected that, because you know bro code and what not. I was okay with it at first. Then, you started showing up more and I couldn't get you out of my head. I had to figure out a way to get you out of my head, since Ace liked you and all that. Any way I tried different ways, but none of them worked. My home life wasn't -still isn't- the best. I couldn't talk to anyone or at least that's what I told myself.

"I started hanging out with different people other than the band. One day, I sat with the 'bad group' that most are told to stay away from. We may have told you to stay away from them. I can't remember. They told me that they could help me if I would leave the band. Ace found out some how that I liked you and confronted me about it. He didn't threaten me or anything. He mostly asked why if that was the reason I was leaving the band. He tried to convince me to stop talking with the bad group. I wouldn't listen to him even though I should have. Those guys got me in a lot of trouble, Sophie.

"My parents don't want me. They convinced the rest of my family to disown me too. Yes, I have done bad things and even went to jail. I wanted -needed- help and they wouldn't. I have no one. Every time I tell a girl that I've been in jail, they all look frightened and make an excuse to leave where we are or block me. I have one friend. He is training to be a police officer. People warn him to stay away from me. He is the only one who will actually listen to me. I can add you to that list even though you probably don't want to listen to me."

Sophie puts her hand on my shoulder and squeezes. "I'm not the best person to ask for advice for this kinda thing. I have a feeling I know someone who can say all the right things and will make you feel better. Will you give him a chance?"

I stare at her and nod my head. "I don't have any other choice, do I?"

She shrugs and gives me a small smile.

Ace's POV

I watch Sophie walk back inside the restaurant and we lock eyes. She has a determined, yet nervous look on her face. She stops on my side of the booth and holds her hand out. I take it and slide out of the booth. She wraps her arms around my neck. I wrap my arms around her waist and squeeze a little.

"God is working, Ace. I don't know how all of this works, but I know something big is going to happen. Give him a chance. Put the past behind us, so we can live in the moment." She pulls back a little bit and smiles at me. She releases her arms around me and hugs herself. "Now go before I hold you back."

"Go where?"

"Michael needs you, Ace. Not me."