Page 80 of Yearn

“What did he say?” I asked.

“That he’d do anything for you. That he didn’t want the group to break up because of his mistakes. He went on and on for a while about how he wanted you to forgive him and rebuild a friendship while he proves he’s changed.”

I gave a snort. “Too little, too late.”

“That’s what I said. Then I asked him if he would still behave if he found out you were fucking Randy.”

Daisy’s jaw dropped. “Are you?”

“No!” I said, half laughing. “I can’t believe you said that to him. Did he freak?”

Gabby gave a smug grin. “Yep. Which proved my point. I told him if he wanted to hang with us, you’d fuck anyone you wanted, right in front of him, and he couldn’t say a word. I gave it to him straight.”

I looked at her with admiration. Max would hate feeling out of control with me. He was possessive and jealous, but it had never bothered me before. I wasn’t a cheater so I knew how to walk the edge to keep him on his toes, but never push him over. The memory of me in Adam’s bed made me shudder. It was the one thing I doubted Max could handle. But I liked the way Gabby pushed him, especially if we didn’t want to lose the group’s tight dynamics. “I’m sure he couldn’t handle it,” I murmured.

“Actually, he said he could.”

I stared at Gabby in shock. “No way.”

She nodded. “I think he’s finally seeing the big picture. If he can’t act like a man and take responsibility, we’re not going to see each other again. How can we be together if Max is torturing you? But if he can truly leave you alone—and settle for friendship—this is the perfect opportunity.”

I glanced at my other friends who seemed hopeful. Our group was a bit incestuous, and everyone was affected by the other. Maybe Max realized the stakes were higher than he imagined. I knew he’d hate to lose me, and I doubted Elle and Daisy would want to hang with him if I didn’t.

But the decision would also be up to me. Could I handle hanging with Max while I slept with Adam? Could I forgive Max for his betrayal and try to salvage a friendship for the group?

“Landon, whatever you decide, we’re with you,” Elle said. “Take your time. I already told Coop I’m not comfortable going out with Max. We had a big fight.”

“I had a fight with Noah, too,” Daisy admitted. “It was very icky. I was afraid if Max could do something like that, maybe any of them could. Especially if they were drinking, which they always are.”

Gabby nodded. “Adam and I haven’t even talked about it, but we’re not in a relationship. We’re just friends.”

I studied my besties and realized their own relationships would suffer if Max and I couldn’t come to peaceful terms. As much as I hated it, I’d committed my own betrayal. Thinking of Adam when we were together, and sleeping with him last night didn’t make me an innocent. We’d both made mistakes. Maybe this whole video thing was a sign. Better for us to break up now, before we moved in together, entangling our bills and lives even tighter.

“I’ll talk to Max. I don’t know what will happen, but I’ll give it a try. For all of us.”

My friends reached over and we all clasped hands in solidarity. I blinked away the sting from my eyes at their support. They were my family; the people who had my back. I had to be careful what I decided to do next. Because if they found out about Adam, they may never forgive me.

Not if I lied to them.

My stomach twisted hard. “I love you, guys.”

“We love you, too,” Daisy said.

“More than you know,” Elle said with a teasing glint in her eye. “I gave up sex for you. Let’s just say I wore out my vibrator batteries during this fight. Coop is pissed at Max, too.”

We all burst into laughter and ordered another round of mimosas.

I was leaving the diner when my phone buzzed. I glanced at the number and stiffened. My heart pounded in my chest, and I took a breath, preparing myself for the conversation.

I listened in growing shock.

Then realized my life would never be the same.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Landon

Listen to We Are Never Getting Back Together

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