Right? Both Wade and Cindy have issues that resulted in the relationship devolving into what it is by the time of the beach house. Ian and, to a much less extent, Lena can help them realize that both have faults that led to their breakup.
As you mentioned, Wade can recognize that he hasn't supported Cindy as much as he should and has taken her for granted while he's struggled to find himself and the motivation he used to have. Cindy is incredibly pushy and fails to recognize Wade's depression for what it is. Ian can very blatantly point it out when the two of them leave the Fortress for Shine, but that doesn't mean Cindy is equipped to handle that kind of knowledge appropriately. It's also not a stretch to assume that Cindy can reach a similar conclusion with Wade that she does on a loving Ian path with similar boundaries to Wade. (i.e. modeling is very ephemeral without the creative depth she seeks). That realization can lead her back to Wade. It seems in all paths Cindy recognizes, to some extent, that Axel is manipulating her. But if Ian and Wade don't have a good relationship with her, who else is she going to turn to, other than Axel?
The difference between Ian and Perry; is that Ian can see Cindy's pushiness for what it is, trying to make Wade better, even if it isn't what Wade needs right now. Ian also pushes Wade to be better, he just happens to be more subtle about it than Cindy, thus letting Wade come to his own realization, but doesn't encourage the slacker mentality like Perry does. Ian, also unlike Perry, can see how Wade's depression affects those around him, namely Cindy. You can only try and help someone so much before recognizing that they're not bothering to help themselves so your efforts are wasted. Cindy is just the first domino to fall if Wade were to continue like this.
That's not me trying to knock Perry either. He just lacks the maturity, though specifically emotional maturity, of Ian at the beginning of the story. Coincidentally Ian, and again a lesser extent Lena, can help Perry find that maturity within himself by pushing him into working at the cafe and seizing the moment with Emma or Cherry or both.
I have my doubts that EK will do this, because it could be a massive programming and script writing sink, but I'd love to see variables for Perry and Wade's relationship based on which of them have matured thanks to Ian. Just an example: Ian has helped Perry with Emma and working at the cafe, but has done nothing to support Wade. Does Perry become the last domino to fall in Wade's support structure? Does he take charge in trying to help Wade?