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He leans back, looking defeated. Clearly, he was hoping I already knew what went down, and then he could just explain his side—who the woman was and why he was with her. Although I’m not sure he owes me an explanation.
“Oh, I figured he would have.”
I shake my head, pretending to be in the dark.
“Well… the fog in San Francisco was so bad, the plane couldn’t get out, so a few of us went to a club. Surprisingly, Cooper went along with Damon and Miles. Probably cause of the Kingsmen.” He shrugs.
I stare blankly at him, not caring about the whys or who else went out.
He clears his throat, obviously noticing my mood. “Anyway, we had some VIP areas, and I was on the dance floor with a woman. You know how they never really understand ‘no.’ I thought one dance would be okay. The next thing I know, Cooper stomps over and pushes me away from her. We exchanged words, and he punched me.”
It’s a similar story to Miles’s, so at least he’s kind of telling me the truth. But it’s clear to me I’m not getting the whole story.
“What words were exchanged?”
“I just told him we weren’t exclusive.” He looks at his coffee mug, then out the window.
“And?”
“Listen, I might have had a little too much to drink, and when he came at me, I was pissed. He made this huge scene in the middle of the dance floor.”
“What did you say, Bradley?” I bite my lip, not sure I want to know.
“I told him how we weren’t having sex and that you… didn’t want my dick.”
I sink back in my chair. I’m sure that set Cooper off.
He leans over the table, reaching for me. “Ellery, I never meant to hurt you, but we’re not exclusive, right? We’ve only been on a few dates, and yeah, I really like you, I just…”
I smile at him. Yeah, it’s about time I admit the truth to myself. “You’re right, we aren’t in a committed relationship, but there’s a big difference between us. One is that if I’m dating someone, I don’t do hookups with other people. And I kind of want the person I’m dating to be the same way. Just because they want to put all their effort in with me.” He opens his mouth to speak, and I raise my hand. “But I agree, we weren’t exclusive, and if you’d hooked up with that girl, it wouldn’t be like you were cheating—if that’s what you want to be assured of. Regardless, I think we both know we might be trying to force something that just isn’t here between us.”
He chuckles and sips his coffee. “Forcing something? I think when you told me you were single, that was the first mistake.”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“You and Cooper. Give me a break. Everyone sees it. I was blind to it for a little while, believing the whole best friend act, but come on, you’re both delusional if you don’t admit you love one another.”
I blink a couple of times. “We do love one another, but not like lovers.”
He leans in close. “Have the two of you ever fucked?”
“Jesus.” I narrow my eyes.
“I’m pretty sure you’d rather be with him than me. Just ask anyone at that photo shoot,” he grumbles.
“What?” I stop myself from saying more, thinking that this is only going to get nastier the longer I sit here. “Listen, it’s fine, but I think we’re done here. I’ll talk to Cooper because he shouldn’t have punched you. I’m sure we’ll run into one another at the games and events, and I’d like us to be able to be cordial with one another.”
He agrees, and as I ready myself to leave, he stands and meets me at the edge of the table.
“Thanks, Ellery. I do wish it would’ve worked out.” He hugs me.
“Take care, Bradley.”
I walk out of the restaurant, my stomach rumbling with hunger, and grab another Uber. I have one last place to visit before I can bury my head under the covers for the rest of the day.
When I’m in the Uber, my phone dings with a message from Bryce.
* * *
