Promises You Can't Keep (A Tom Hiddleston/Lee Pace Fan Fic)

Part 1 ~ Chapter 6

Tom's POV

"Before you and Amelia come around tonight, I think you should know that Sophie invited Mallory," Ben says from my passenger seat.

My stomach ties in knots as I don a carefree smile. "That's brilliant! I haven't seen her in ages," I say, but the feelings of guilt and remorse at letting our friendship slide are difficult for me to keep in check.

"She has a boyfriend, you know," Ben adds as he glances out the window at the passing scenery. I feel the one-two punch of dread and jealousy at his words. Keep it together, Mate. After all, you have a wonderful woman, I think. "Well, good for her," I say, though I fail to lend my words any real joy.

"I don't understand it, Tom. You could have had everything with Mallory, but instead you pilfered her love, and for what? For the friends with benefits nonsense? You know as well as I do that that was a bloody cop out. Why couldn't you have manned up and told her of your feelings for her?"

I hit the brakes quickly, pulling to the side of the road.

"Well, this is rich," I say, turning to glare at Ben. "I seem to remember someone not too many years ago having a dalliance of his own. In fact, I remember you having a fling with Sophie long before you decided she's the love of your life. What were you thinking then, Ben? Or were you thinking at all? Perhaps with your little head, it would seem."

Ben rubs his face with his hands then returns my stare. "That was not my finest moment, I'll admit. But do you know how I'm different than you? I wasn't friends with Sophie before I started sleeping with her, trying to act like it was a fling when it wasn't. Can you say the same about Mallory and you?"

I break our stare, looking out the windscreen. "You know I can't," I finally say as I shift the car into gear and pull into traffic.

"Have you met him?" I ask, apparently deciding I've not tortured myself enough.

"I have not. I hear he's a doctor," Ben replies.

"Maybe he's ugly," I say for no apparent reason except to get a little of my own back. Back from whom I'm not sure. Still, Ben snorts at my statement.

"And short," he adds, causing me to snicker.

"And has hairy ears."

Ben laughs out loud at this. "Who has hairy ears?" he asks, and I shrug. "You know, those men who don't have proper grooming techniques."

"Maybe he drives a sports car to make up for his small willy," Ben says, then he looks around at my Jaguar F Type in which we are currently riding. "Sorry," he says. We're both silent for a bit.

"Maybe he makes her happy," I say, both hoping for and denying that possible truth.

"Perhaps he does," Ben says, looking out the window once again as the scenery speeds by.

Mallory's POV

As we pull into Ben and Sophie's driveway, I spot the familiar car of Martin and Amanda, and another dark blue sports car that I could have gone without seeing.

"Lee," I say, grabbing his arm before he exits the car.

"What is it, Mallory?" he asks.

"I need to tell you about Tom."

"Alright," he says as he pulls his door closed, leaving us sitting in the dark.

I take a deep breath before I begin. "So, do you remember how I told you that Ben and Sophie are Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter?"