Page 38 of Yearn

“I’ll talk to her,” Coop said. “She’s been mopey lately so maybe this will give her something to focus on. Even if nothing happens, exposure can’t hurt.”

Noah stared at Cooper with a strange expression. Almost like he was pissed at Coop’s comment. I sensed he’d wanted to speak on behalf of Elle, but that didn’t make sense. Noah had always been a bit more distant with Cooper than the rest of us, though. Something about their personalities didn’t line up. Cooper was brash and loud and confident. His muscles were jacked and he revered the gym and was always on some new protein kick.

Even though Noah was a DJ and pumped it up for the crowd, he was a quieter guy. More reflective. He wasn’t obsessed with working out or hooking up with hot new girls. He liked to read, and was a music trivia nerd. He liked having a girlfriend on his arm, and Daisy seemed perfect for him. But he was also close with Elle. I’d spotted them in deep dialogue a few times, like they both enjoyed sharing thoughts and shit. As the newest to the group, sometimes he got kicked to the sidelines or was the last to be invited, even though he was part of the crew. But I liked the balance he brought to all of us, like Daisy leveled out the female side. We’d gotten closer over the past year, and I think sometimes, Max and Cooper didn’t like it.

“Okay, then let’s see what we can do,” I said.

“Good, now we need to talk about important shit.” Max leaned over the table with a grin. “Landon’s birthday is in twoweeks and you know how she gets. It has to be epic. Especially since we’re moving in together.”

I took a sip of coffee and stayed quiet. The last thing I needed was to get stuck helping plan their celebration.

“Are you looking for suggestions?” Coop asked. “Take her on a shopping trip and bankroll the thing. Or buy a designer dress and take her to dinner.”

Max rolled his eyes. “This is Landon. Remember last year? We all went sky diving together upstate and did the winery tour.”

Noah winced. “I hate wine. I was sick for days.”

“I agree with Coop. Keep it private this year for a change,” I said, pretending not to care.

“Dude, this is a chance for us to go away! Let’s hit Atlantic City for the weekend. We’ll gamble, hang on the beach, and party all night.”

“I can get into that,” Coop said. “It may cheer Elle up, too.”

“We need to take advantage of summer while we can. I’ll make the reservations—tell the girls they need to take off.,” Max said.

Noah nodded. “I think Daisy can switch with someone if she’s working that weekend. She’s got more flexibility this month.”

I spoke up. “Can’t go. Not with this band thing going on.”

Max stared at me. “Adam, you have to go. If you can’t get away both nights, come up for one. We need you. Plus, I want Gabriella to come.”

“Why?”

Max shrugged. “Landon and her worked things out and you like her. It’ll be nice to all go as couples. No one gets in any trouble.”

Coop snorted. “Not like last time. But can you blame us? Not our fault those smoke shows crawled all over us.”

Noah narrowed his gaze. “Thought it was just Max who hooked up.”

Max and Coop shared a look, then cracked up. “You give him way too much credit,” Max said.

“But I only kissed her. And there’s no video of it,” Coop said smugly.

Max immediately lost his smile. “I don’t want to hear about that bullshit video anymore. It almost broke up me and Landon. We’re in a great place and I want to pretend it never happened. Okay?”

Coop threw up his arms. “Sure, man. What video?”

“One night won’t kill you,” Noah said to me. “Things will only get more intense once you’re with the band. Better take advantage now.”

I cleared my throat, sensing I was trapped. It was tradition to go away together during big celebrations and Landon used her birthday as a national holiday. Maybe if I hung tight with Gabby, and kept my distance, it would all be fine. Gabby hadn’t mentioned anymore smart-ass remarks about Landon, though I know she believed there was something between us. But Gabby didn’t worry me. No one but me and Landon knew what had happened, and now it was over. We were safe.

I needed to blow off some steam. Why miss a great trip? I could handle it. “Okay, I’m in.”

“Perfect. I’ll tell Landon it’s all planned so she can start working on her outfits,” Max said.

I finished my coffee, my mind whirring with all the crap I had to do. “Better head out. Catch up with you later.”

I said goodbye and pushed back into the muggy, city heat. Things were changing, and not in the direction I once believed. But it was time to lean in and take a shot on my career. Stop obsessing over Landon and Max and what-ifs.

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