Page 96 of The Most Perfect Wrong

He sighs, rolling onto his back. “While you were in Newport, before Christmas.” He pauses, his jaw tightening as he laces his fingers into his hair and tugs hard. “Fuck, Coop… I went to this private club with Leo and Vivian and some of their friends, and… I saw Brad there. He was making out with some girl, hanging on her all night.”

The words hit me like a blow to the chest, knocking the breath out of me. I sit up, turning to him. “What?” My thoughts spiral. “Before Christmas? He wasn’t in Chicago… He was on a work trip.” The air feels stifling, my mind racing as I rack my brain for where he was supposed to be. “New York. He said he had to be in New York.”

Ryan sighs, his voice heavy. “He wasn’t. Or if he was, he wasn’t gone as long as he said he’d be.”

“No.” The denial escapes me in a whisper. “He said he flew from New…” My voice quits. My gaze drops to the sheets below me, my fingers clutching them tightly. “Are you sure it was him?” I ask, my voice barely audible.

He nods, sitting up. “He talked to me. Tried to convince me and Leo into thinking it was all good. A one-time thing.” He swallows hard, his gaze dropping to his lap before meeting mine again, sorrow heavy in his eyes. “He said there was no need for you to find out… to get hurt. I’m sorry,” he says, shaking his head. “I should have told you sooner.”

My brows knit together as the tears threaten to spill. “Why didn’t you?” My voice is soft, but there’s an edge to it now. The hurt is sinking in, morphing into something familiar. “Why the hell would you sit on this for weeks?”

Ryan exhales, rubbing his palms over his face. “I didn’t want to be the bearer of bad news. No one likes the fucking messenger, Coop.” He drops his hands, his eyes pleading. “And I didn’t want you to resent me for it.”

I shake my head, my chest tight. “So, what? You thought I’d just be better off living a lie?” My voice wobbles, my emotions tangled between anger and heartbreak. “Jesus, Ryan. You saw him, you knew, and you just—let me go on like nothing happened?”

He sighs, tracing a finger across my hand, the touch gentle but weighted.“No. I wanted to give him the opportunity to do it. To man up, do the right thing.” He looks at me, his eyes pleading for understanding. “I told him I’d give him a month to do it himself, and if he didn’t, I was going to… I wasn’t trying to protect him. I was trying to protect you.”

I nod slowly, the words sinking in.Protect me.Maybe he really thought that. Maybe he didn’t want to be the reason my world crumbled. But it doesn’t change the fact that he knew. “By letting me continue to sleep with the cheating bastard?” I let out a shaky breath, staring at the sheets beneath me. “I need to go,” I whisper.

Ryan reaches for my hand, his touch warm, but I pull away.

“Coop, don’t. Stay here. You can sleep right here, next to me.” His voice is soft, almost desperate.

I swallow hard, blinking back the burn in my eyes. “No, that’s okay.” I swing my legs over the edge of the bed. “I actually think I’d really like to be alone.” I try to meet his gaze, but the storm of shock, confusion, and the fight to not cry makes it impossible.

Ryan’s shoulders sag, but he nods, watching as I stand. “Alright… if you’re sure.”

I nod. “I’m sure.” He walks me to the door and pulls me into a hug before letting me go.

I head down the long hall toward the elevators, moisture spilling onto my cheeks faster than I can wipe it away.How could I have been so blind?Brad’s cheating again? What a selfish asshole. And why am I even sad? Iwantedthis—I wanted proof he was unfaithful so it would be easier to leave. But it still hurts. It hurts so bad. And more than anything, I’m just embarrassed. Embarrassed I didn’t see it.Fuck. Has he been cheating the whole time?I mean, Jesus, this is who I picked? I chose him. I chose to move in with him, to go back to him. Hell, I even told him I’d marry him.

The worst part is, I really did love him. I’m ashamed of that. And now I wonder if he ever even loved me. God. Ryan probably thinks I’m so weak. How could he not?

I slow my steps, the memory of our playful exchange in the hotel room flashing through my mind. And then that last conversation…. I’m hurt he didn’t tell me sooner. Maybe I could have avoided the past few weeks of agony with Brad. But no, it wouldn’t have mattered. I’ve been wanting to leave for three years, yet here I am. The only thing that’s given me the strength to believe I can leave is hope—for a future with Ryan.

I stop walking.Ryan… Ryan.What the hell am I waiting for? My relationship with Brad has been over for a long time. These text messages, his toying with me—it’s all a fucking game to him. A sick, twisted game.

And I’m done playing.

Chapter 29

RYAN

I sink down on the edge of the bed after Cooper leaves, my head falling into my hands. Helpless. Completely fucking helpless. It sucks watching someone you care about suffer. And God, do I care about her. It’s like I’m right back there with Beth again, sitting by her side, powerless to stop the cancer from taking her. Now, it’s Cooper—different circumstances, same feeling. That aching, gnawing sense of uselessness that tears at me.

I probably should have walked her to her room, made sure she was okay. I wanted her to stay, to hold her, to make her feel better. But she couldn’t get out of here fast enough.

Dammit. I screwed up. I should have told her about Brad weeks ago. That night has haunted me, replaying in my head every time I looked at her, knowing I was keeping something from her that she deserved to know. Who knows? It might have pushed her to leave weeks ago. And instead of sitting here worried, we’d still be laughing. Or maybe, we’d finally be doing what we’ve both been wanting to do for months now.

I let out a frustrated sigh, my knee bouncing with restless energy, the anxious rhythm mirroring the way my body feels. My thoughts are interrupted by an urgent knocking on the door. I glance around the room, thinking maybe Cooper forgot something, but there’s nothing.

Confused, I open the door to find Cooper. Her eyes are red and misty. “Ryan,” she chokes out, pushing her way in. Before I can say a word, she slams me against the wall, her lips crashinginto mine. The door shuts behind her with a thud as she clings to me, her arms sliding up my chest and around my neck. I meet her kiss with equal intensity, gripping her waist and pulling her closer. The things this woman makes me feel.

She draws back just enough to yank her shirt over her head, and God, I’ve never wanted anything more than I want her, right now. Her lips meet mine over and over, desperate and unwavering. It feels like I’m a well filled with water after days in the desert. She’s thirsty, parched—dehydrated—and I’m more than happy to quench her need.Damn, she feels incredible.

Her fingers tangle in my hair, pulling just enough to make my senses explode. The craving I have for her grows stronger, deeper. My hands roam her body, exploring every curve, every soft inch of skin. Excitement surges through me as I press her back against the wall.

My dick throbs with need, but my heart longs to explore what’s between us. I want to give her something real. Something safe in this hell she’s been living in. I’m completely lost in her—in the way she clings to me, in the chemistry that sizzles between us like a live wire.

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