Not What I Expected

Part 12

The barista brought over their coffees and Beth took a long sip of hers before she looked at Ryan again. When she did, he was already looking at her, waiting patiently for her to respond.

"I went to go see my sister last Tuesday," Beth began quietly, "We had had a huge fight when I called them both out for having an affair and so I thought that I would try to make amends with Anna. When I got to her apartment building, her and Chad had just gotten back to her apartment and they were pretty enamoured with each other. I thought the affair had stopped...that was at least until last week when I saw them in a passionate embrace outside her apartment."

"What is that son of a bitch doing?" Ryan questioned, the rage boiling inside him again, "Why would he want to hurt Nicole like this?"

"I don't think he did it intentionally Ryan," Beth replied, "Because believe it or not, Chad was absolutely, head over heels in love with Nicole. Anna on the other hand is very manipulative and this isn't the first time she has used her powers of seduction to her advantage. When Anna wants something...or someone...she can be very persuasive."

"Well, if you have known for a while, why haven't you told her?" Ryan questioned curiously, "You are her best friend, so I'm surprised that you have kept this news to yourself."

"I want to tell her and so does my husband, Alex," Beth replied, unsure of what to tell him, "At the time, it was a bad idea to say anything, but now, I don't know. Now I kind of feel like she should know what's going on? Because Chad is too much of a coward to come clean on his own. It's only a matter of time before she finds out."

"Well, maybe the three of us should tell her together," Ryan stated, "She needs to know, Beth."

Beth nodded her head in response and felt like it was time to let Nicole know that Chad, at this point, is not committed to saving their marriage. She could see how much Ryan still cared for Nicole and even though he didn't say as much, he would do just about anything for her.

"What is your plan in all this Ryan?" Beth asked harmlessly, "I'm just curious."

"Beth, I don't really have a plan," Ryan replied with a look that was unreadable to her, "I'm assuming you know what happened on Friday, and just a side note about that...that wasn't planned, it just happened. But if you think that I am expecting more from her, absolutely not. If it were to go that way, I wouldn't be opposed to the idea, but I'm not pushing her at all. We both know that Nicole will do what is right for her and Hudson and she won't be swayed by anyone else's opinion."

"I didn't think that...I just wanted to know what was going through your mind about this," Beth stated, looking at him closely, "Despite what is going on in her life, she still has a big place in her heart that you still occupy. I just want you two to be careful."

"Yes mom," Ryan replied jokingly.

"Ryan...I'm serious..." Beth breathed, slightly annoyed with his response, "A lot of damage has been caused and Nicole is going to need all of us right now."

"I was joking Beth," Ryan replied quietly, looking down at his hands sheepishly, "I'm sorry. I know how serious the situation is and I will be there if and when she needs me."

Beth looked into Ryan's brown eyes and she knew why and how Nicole had fallen in love with him so easily. He was easy to talk to, he knew how to diffuse a difficult situation, he could ease the tension with one smile and it was like he could read what was in your soul with one look into your eyes.

"So when do we drop the bomb?" Ryan questioned seriously.

"Nicole is coming over to our place for dinner tonight around 6:00," Beth responded, "Would you like to join us for dinner?"