Page 39 of Covet (The Red #3)

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Noah

Listen to Cinderella Snapped

by Jax

I t was painful watching Elle with Coop.

Over the past weeks, I’d begun to think of Elle as mine. Which was ridiculous, since I was still sleeping with Daisy. But ever since I kissed Elle, I’d been careful not to have sex with Daisy, citing tiredness, or making sure our schedules were completely contradictory.

I had no rights but as Coop danced with Elle and touched her all over, jealousy burned through me. I tried not to pay attention and focused on hanging with Daisy at the bar. Elle was pretty high, so I understood how she wouldn’t pull back from Coop.

Still. The ugly doubts surfaced. Would I ever be able to satisfy her?

We hadn’t talked about their sex life or how different I was from Coop.

I’d never be the type to fuck her in front of others, or play the type of games she seemed to like.

Not that I was a simple missionary vanilla guy, but sex was more than just getting off for me. I wanted more with Elle.

Did she?

Daisy’s question interrupted my thoughts. “Hey. Where’d you go? You keep drifting off.”

I smiled in apology. “Sorry, the drinks are catching up with me. Wanna dance?”

She leaned over, cupped my cheeks and kissed me. It was sweet, just like Daisy. “No. I just want to be with you.” She paused, looking into my eyes. “You make me happy. I hope I do the same.”

I tried to keep my voice light, but unease gripped me. She’d done nothing to deserve my betrayal. Daisy had given me everything I needed in a relationship and now I was going to break her heart. “You do. You’re perfect, Dais.”

I knew I said the words like a goodbye, but she lit up and hugged me tight. I hugged her back. “Good. Let’s join the others. Looks like Coop and Elle did their normal disappearing act.”

I glanced at the dance floor. They were gone. My gut lurched but I ignored it. No reason to look for trouble when there wasn’t any.

I followed Daisy to the seats we’d claimed. Max and Gabby raced off the floor, laughing. I kept catching vibes between them but with Max, you never knew what was going on. They were probably secretly fucking. I made a note to ask him when we were alone. Or ask Daisy if she knew anything.

Our simple group had always been a bit incestuous, reminding me of one of those vintage teen dramas Daisy loved so much. I just wanted to come clean with everyone and start rebuilding my life. With Elle.

Max came over to us. “We need to do this more often, dude. We work too much.”

“Who would’ve thought, huh? We all got real jobs now. How’s the gym coming along?”

He lit up. Honestly, Max had seemed happier lately.

Maybe having Landon and Adam out of sight was good for him.

“Good. We got the funding but still looking for the right place. Coop and I finished the business plan. We’re testing out some different coaching techniques.

Hey—you should meet us at the gym next week.

We can practice on you.” He punched my shoulder. “Your biceps are getting saggy, dude.”

I laughed. “You wish. My biceps are masterpieces.”

Daisy slipped her arms around my waist and squeezed. “I second that.”

Max rolled his eyes. “Pathetic. Seriously, come by. The three of us can hang.”

“I will.” The reality of the situation slammed through me. There’d be no more tight friendship. Once Coop found out about me and Elle, it’d be war. The grief that hit at the thought made it hard to keep up my party vibe.

Coop emerged from the crowd, grinning sloppily as he joined us. “What’ve I missed?”

Daisy laughed. “Oh, not much. Seems like you had a better time with Elle. Was it the alley or the bathroom this time?”

Ice trickled down my spine. Coop smirked and licked his lips. “I’m not allowed to kiss and tell.”

“Bet there wasn’t much kissing involved,” Daisy teased. “Dayum. Maybe Noah and I are missing out on this sex in public thing you both have going on.” She pressed a kiss to my neck. “What do you think, baby? Wanna give it a try?”

I felt everyone’s stare on me but my face felt frozen. The reality hit me all at once.

Did Elle just have sex with Coop?

My heart refused to believe it. No way. Not after what we’d shared together. Not after we’d decided to make our relationship public and move forward.

Coop laughed but Daisy kept pushing. Her tone seemed oddly challenging. “Oh, come on, Coop! We’re all friends here—just tell us the truth. We want to know.”

Gabby glanced back and forth between Daisy and Coop. A frown creased her brow, as if she was furiously putting together a puzzle.

Max jumped in. “Nothing wrong with a little voyeur action. Gotta spice things up, right? You’ve been together over a year now. Who cares how you take care of business.”

Horror grew into denial. I swept the crowd for Elle. Coop was showing off and Max was egging him on. Their familiar routine was old and tired—always trying to boast their sexual escapades to the group. Most of it was bullshit. I had to believe in Elle.

Coop’s grin was sloppy. “The men’s bathroom stall, okay? With a crowd outside waiting for us to finish.”

Daisy groaned. “Oh, my God!” She gave a whoop.

“It was hot. As usual,” Coop said, slurring.

No.

Daisy refused to let the subject go. Each word was like a nail being hammered into my body. “I know I shouldn’t say this, but Elle’s told me several times how addicting the sex is with you two. Said you were the only one who knew how to play out her fantasies.”

No.

“Fantasies are important,” Max said. “No one would ever judge either of you. We’re all doing what makes us happy.”

Daisy nodded. “Agree. You and Elle are perfect together. When are you finally moving in? She said soon, right?”

No .

“Yep. We’ve both been busy but now that Noah’s done stealing my girl, we can finally make it official.”

Desperate, I swept the club again and finally lasered in on her.

Elle was walking slow, obviously still high. Head down as she focused on the path ahead.

“Here she is,” Daisy squealed. Running over, she pulled Elle over the rest of the way, giving her a big hug.

“We’re all talking about sex. About how we shouldn’t be ashamed of how we like it.

Don’t be mad, but I kind of pushed Coop to tell us where you were.

Oh, my God, the men’s bathroom, Elle? You are my hero!

I think it’s time Noah and I try to get our freak on.

You and Coop are like, relationship goals. ”

I was trapped in a nightmare. I kept staring at Elle, waiting for her to look at me. Waiting for her reassurance and smile that told me it was all lies; that she was going along with the game one last night. Slowly, her gaze lifted and crashed with mine.

Regret.

Guilt.

Pain.

No.

I stumbled back as Daisy droned on. Elle took a step forward with a plea in her beautiful dark eyes but I couldn’t take it.

In that one awful moment, I watched my future crumble around me while my friends watched, laughing and joking about Elle and Coop banging in a bathroom.

I’d been wrong. Elle could never settle for me when she had Coop. Our friendship had morphed into more, but once the music faded, she’d gone back to what she was familiar with.

Could I blame her? We’d been the one cheating. Coop and Daisy were innocent in all of it. Maybe Coop had been distant while focused on the gym, and Elle had talked herself into believing I was the one for her. The moment he re-engaged and put his hands on her, she’d given in.

I could never be like Coop. I’d been deluding myself because I’ve been in love with her forever. But maybe it was time I face the truth and build a real life for myself, instead of pining for a woman who was never meant to be mine.

The room swayed. I raised my voice. “Guys, I’m sorry, I’m feeling kind of sick. Gonna dip out. Daisy, you want to stay?”

“No, I’ll go. I’m beat.” Daisy said a quick goodbye to everyone and went to put her drink down.

I called a goodbye to the group and turned.

“Don’t go.”

The whisper was barely heard; ragged and sad and full of need.

My heart splintered in my chest, leaving a searing pain I’d never experienced.

I knew if I looked at Elle, if I saw her beautiful face, I’d be lost. I’d stay and forgive.

I’d pretend we were going to actually try and be a couple.

I’d break Daisy’s heart, ruin the group, and be left with nothing.

I didn’t stop or answer.

I walked out without a backward glance, with Daisy holding my hand.