I couldn't help it this time.

[99bottles]

He's crying -- he knows men are not supposed to cry, but he can't help it this time/right now.

I know the sentence above sounds sexist, but please don't start grumbling -- it's just fiction. So which option is correct at the end of the sentence?

 

[emsr2d2]

Is it important for you to make it clear that he has been able to stop himself crying on previous occasions? If not, you can just stop after "he can't help it".