Page 59 of Clinch'd

It’s stupid to assume, but by the next morning when I haven’t heard from Cooper either, I’m a sad fucking sack. I’m hesitant to reach out to him because I have my pride, but I also know pride goeth before the fall and this fall is a really steep fucking hill.

Sigh.

With nothing better to do, I search out touristy things and head to a place called Pike Place Market. It’s bustling when I arrive and I wander through the vendors, picking up tchotchkes and speaking with the salespeople.

I eat a hearty bowl of clam cheddar that practically melts in my mouth before walking down by the marina. The rain pelts my face and I raise my chin to the sky, smiling as it cleanses me.

By the time I make it back to my room, I’m dragging and after a hot shower, I order room service and settle into bed.

My last thought before I pass out is to wonder what Cooper is doing now and with whom?

The following two days are equally as quiet. By the last night, I’m bored out of my skull. Dressing in a pair of tight pants and a flowy shirt, I dig out the only jacket I brought and head to the bar.

With a drink in hand, I slide into a booth and proceed to study the people around me. An older gentleman with his younger honey laughs, his eyes alight. She swats his arm with a giggle. At the next table over, a younger couple sits opposite each other, both bent over their phones.

Beyond that, I spy two men my age sitting in the lounge area chatting away.

With a sigh, I pick up my drink but pause when I spy Cooper in the lobby. He looks delicious in a suit with a white button up shirt, opened at the throat. His dark hair hangs around his face.

He’s staring at his phone with a frown but glances up when a woman approaches. She’s breathtaking with long lean legs, a slim waist and a gorgeous gold dress that accentuates her perky, small tits.

Cooper’s mouth curls into a smile and he greets her with a hug. My stomach curdles as I watch them speak, the familiarity like a punch to the stomach when she touches his arm.

What the actual fuck?

Like a fucking idiot, I’m standing and staring and when I see his head turn my direction, I make a beeline for the guys sitting on the couch.

One looks up as I approach, his brows rising as I sit down beside him and grab his hands.

“If you have an ounce of pity in your soul,” I murmur, choking on tears, “you’ll pretend you’re totally into me.”

His eyes brighten and he looks at his companion with a secret smile. “Girl, I got you,” he says, pulling me into a hug.

I glance at his friend, who looks at me with a kind smile before shooting his date a smoldering look and I choke on my spit. Holyfuck, I just begged a gay dude to pretend to be interested. There must be a special place in hell reserved just for me.

Fuck.

Still my new best friend has a nice chest and I snuggle deep unashamed to be taking comfort from a complete stranger. I’m that fucking desperate.

After a moment, he pulls away looking at me with brilliant blue eyes. “Who’s the dick? I’ll kick his ass.”

Hiccupping out a laugh, I glance toward the lobby, but Cooper is gone.

Chapter 22

Cooper

The conversation flies over my head while I contemplate my day. I’ve been backpedaling since fucking Minnie in the ocean.

When I finally decided to confront Beast, I found out he left and plans to skip out on Seattle. Why?

It was foolish to ignore the circumstances surrounding meeting Minnie and now I’m almost desperate to learn the truth, but I guess it will have to wait.

Since I can’t speak to Beast, I’ve been avoiding Minnie which leaves a sour taste on my tongue. Everything is flat and dull without her smile to cheer up my asshole moods.

Still, I can’t ignore the ache in my gut any longer.

“Coop? You listening to me?”

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