Page 72 of Lost in You

Maybe he’s right.

Maybe I should just give in and listen to my brain. I know that would make Cole happy and I’d be comfortable. I mean, that’s what people go for these days, right, comfort? I know him and he knows me. What more does a girl need?

I need love and trust. Not everyone needs those feelings, but I do. I don’t know how to move past Cole cheating. If I did, we probably would’ve gotten back together. There is nothing stopping him from doing it again.

I slide out of bed and walk into the bathroom. I have no doubt he’s awake and staring at my naked backside, but I don’t care. I lock the door for good measure. I don’t want him sneaking in thinking we are going to repeat what we did hours before. That was so stupid.

The hot water drips down my back. As much as I want to stay under this drizzle I can’t stand being in here. I get out and wrap myself in a towel. When I open the door, he’s sitting on the edge of the bed. His face looks pensive. This is exactly why we’re a mistake.

He reaches out, pulling my hand into his. He turns my hand over and kisses my palm.

“Cole—“

He stands, cupping my face and kisses me softly. “I know.” I want to reach out and pull him to me. Why can’t I love him? He kisses my forehead and leaves me standing in our room with more pain in my heart than I know what to do with. “I’ll meet you on the bus, Hadley Girl.”

Alex is dancing. This wouldn’t be a shock to me except we are cruising down the highway and she’s standing in the middle of the tour bus living room, dancing. I sit down and watch her, enjoying her carefree moment. She’s my best friend. I love her and I don’t know what I’d do without her.

The song finishes. She takes the seat next to me. She throws her head back in exasperation and starts laughing.

“What’s so funny?”

“I’m just thinking that I’m about to go crazy if we’re on this bus any longer.”

“We need a spa day when we get back to New York.”

“Definitely.”

“I slept with Cole,” I blurt out. Alex doesn’t look shocked at all. Am I that easy to read?

“I figured it was just a matter of time.”

“What’s that mean?” I ask. I bring my knee up under my leg and face her. She mimics my position.

“Cole’s good-looking, you’re beautiful and you’ve had to pretend you’re in love. It was bound to happen. I guess it would be different if you fought all the time, but you don’t. He protects you. I think he’s still in love with you.”

“But I love Ryan.”

Alex shakes her head. “Do you? Or are you in love with the idea of someone like Ryan? Someone who isn’t part of your world?”

I sit back and ponder what she’s saying. She knows me better than anyone else, so why can’t she see that I’m in love with Ryan.

“I thought you liked Ryan?”

Alex smiles, but shakes her head. “I do, but if you were in love with him, you would’ve fought for him. There wouldn’t be a no-contact order and you wouldn’t try to call and text him when you think we’re all asleep. You need to let him go.”

I look up at her sharply. She shrugs.

“You’re not as sneaky as you think you are, Miss Carter.”

“Whatever,” I mutter. I lean over and rest my head in her lap. “I’m so messed up, Alex. I think I need some professional help.”

Alex runs her fingers through my hair. It’s calming and helps me relax. I do need help, but at what cost? Alex is right. I need to let Ryan go and move on. I just don’t know how. I promised myself after Cole that my heart would always be guarded. That I’d never let anyone in again and then I met Ryan and things changed.

Things could’ve been perfect.

Chapter 39

Ryan

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