Page 87 of The Most Perfect Wrong

I drag a hand across my face, groaning. “Alright. You’re right.” I reluctantly pull myself from her. “You gonna be okay?”

She smiles softly. “I'll be okay… Thanks for taking care of me.” She reaches for the water on the nightstand, taking a few slow sips.

“Okay. I’ll be on the couch if you need anything.” I shut my eyes, forcing myself to stand.

She takes a long breath. “Good night, Ryan.”

“Good night, Cooper.” I head to the door, dragging a hand through my hair, every part of me resisting the urge to look back.

Chapter 26

COOPER

I wake up in Ryan’s room, my face pressed against the pillow, feeling only half-alive. God, I’m a mess. I wander into the bathroom to attempt damage control, my head pounding with each step. I glance in the mirror. Shit. I look like I’m dead. I splash cold water on my face, pinch my cheeks, and find a brush in Ryan’s drawer. My hair’s so kinked on one side from laying on it, there’s no hope of making it look normal. I’m so not ready for Ryan to see me like this, not yet. I rummage through every drawer and cupboard until I find a blow-dryer and do my best with his shitty brush to at least smooth the kinks out and give my hair body and shape. I pat my cheeks once more and settle on the slight improvement.

My pants are on the bathroom floor, but I have no idea where my shirt is. I slip them on, and head downstairs. Ryan’s asleep on the couch. His body’s stretched out, one arm slung across his chest, the other resting by his side. It reminds me of our first night together. He looks just as good as he did that first morning, and damn. I could watch him sleep all day. I quietly tiptoe to my purse and find my phone. I have over thirty missed calls and messages from Brad.

I sigh, not wanting to read them. I look anyway, despite knowing what they’ll say.

Brad:Hey, baby, it’s getting late. Are you okay? Where are you?

Brad:Getting a bit worried here. Please text me back and let me know you’re safe.

Brad:I don’t know what’s going on, but please call me back, okay? I just want to know you’re alright.

Brad:Cooper, it’s almost midnight. Do you have any idea how worried I am?

Brad:I can’t believe you’d just disappear on me like this.

There it is. I suck in a deep breath. This is when the side of Brad he keeps hidden from the rest of the world starts to surface.

Brad:Seriously, Coop. If you cared about me at all, you’d at least have the decency to text back.

I shake my head in disgust. He always finds a way to turn it on me—every single time.

Brad:Where the hell are you?

Brad:Answer your damn phone. I’m done playing games.

This is where he’ll take things from bad to worse.

Brad:Are you with someone else? I swear to God, Cooper, if I find out you’re with Ryan…

I turn my phone off with shaky hands, bile rising in my throat. I can’t bring myself to read the rest.

I made sure to turn my location off last night after I left. The last thing I need is Brad showing up at Ryan’s looking for me. I apply some lipgloss and gather my things. I don’t want to wake Ryan, but I can't leave without saying goodbye, not after all he did for me last night.

I stand in front of him, nudging his shoulder softly. “Hey, Ryan.”

He peeks at me with one eye, making a deep throaty sound, a sound that always does something for me. “Oh, hey, you’re up.” He reaches his arms above his head into a deep stretch and my eyes fall to his abs as his shirt lifts, exposing skin and the deep V carved into his sides. Holy hell, how does that simple thing turnme on so much? I feel Ryan’s eyes boring into the side of my face as I gape at him. I jerk my head over to his, meeting his gaze… and a smirk of satisfaction. “What time is it?” he asks, groggily.

“Almost nine.”

“Damn. I’m tired… How are you feeling?” He sits up.

“I’m okay… Listen, I’m gonna go. Gonna grab a coffee, check myself into a hotel, but I wanted to thank you for last night, and see if you have a Tylenol. I have a pounding headache and…” He cuts me off.

“What do you mean you’re checking into a hotel? Why would you do that? Just stay here.”

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