Page 3 of The Unexpected Match

I can barely get an “okay” out, and just nod for him to continue.

“I love you, Had. I will love you forever, but I’m not really happy. I haven’t been for a while,” he sighs.

It takes several moments for the words to sink in.

Our entire relationship flashes before my eyes with thoughts of where I went wrong. All I have ever tried to do is take care of him. My heart lurches in my chest, the shock internally tearing me apart.

“You’re leaving me?” I choke on a sob that has been trying to claw its way out of my throat.

My eyes drop to the floor, confusion over what has transpired in the last twenty-four hours consuming me. I lose all sense of my surroundings as panic clouds my vision. I can’t breathe.

“What? No.” He shakes his head and is beside me with his arms around me instantly. “I don’t want to leave you. I just want to experience…more.”

“I don’t understand,” I tremble out, the words barely audible through my shallow breaths. “Whatmorecould you want to experience?”

He stares at me for several moments. Glancing around the room, he looks like he’s having trouble finding the words.

That is, until he blurts out, “I need more in bed. There is just so much more to explore than what you can provide me. I mean, you say you’ll try anything at least once, but the last time I tried to fuck your ass, you pushed me away.”

Taking a quick breath, he continues.

“I told you, I love you. But you can’t tell me you’re satisfied.”

My eyes widen, and I laugh, the tears drying.

“This is a joke, right?” I shake my head as if to clear the conversation from recent memory. “We just had sex last night. I have had every first with you, and I’ve never been against anything you’ve wanted to try.”

Andy blanches.

“Lower your voice.” He glances around, as if we’re close enough for anyone else to hear our conversation. “We’ve only ever been with one another. Don’t you want to explore more? I told you, I don’t want to leave you.”

I can’t find the words to respond. He takes that as an invitation to continue.

“I just want to have a well-rounded life experience. I think we need to open our marriage. We will both be able to get that experience while still having each other.”

My world as I know it comes crumbling down around me.

“I love you, Hadley, but I need this freedom for us to work.” His voice is quiet, but firm.

The only way to keep my husband is to allow him to sleep with other people?

What. The. Fuck?

Chapter Two

HADLEY

Four months later

I’m lying in a fetal position on my couch yet again.

This has been my default position since Andy told me he needed our marriage to be open. That I wasn’t satisfying him enough in the bedroom. I have only left the couch to go to the bathroom and get the occasional snack since we got home that night.

I must have dozed off because I wake up to Kat and Ryan standing over me. Kat nestles her way onto the couch and pulls me into an embrace.

“The last four months have been worse than when my grandpa passed away, you guys.” Once again, I’m crying to Ryan and Kat.

“Oh, babe, we will get you through this. Is he still seeing her?” Kat asks me with her arm around my shoulders.

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