Page 26 of Yearn

The door opened and a group of giggling girls came out of the bar, loudly talking.

I dropped my hand and stepped back.

We didn’t speak, I felt as if I was choking on my regret for admitting something I’d never told another human soul. And I’d told my enemy.

I waited for him to taunt me. Instead, Adam pivoted on his heel and went back inside the bar, leaving me with a spinning head and a nervous stomach. When I went back in, no one said a word and I knew my secret was safe.

We never talked about what had happened. What we’d confessed to the other.

Until right now. Adam sang to me about all the fears that crop up in the dead of night.

I was fixated through each lyric, and when it ended, the audience gave a few hoots and yells.

Adam smiled. “Thanks, appreciate it.”

I blanked out for the next few songs. My heart was slamming hard against my chest, and I kept sneaking glances at Daisy and Noah. Had Adam told them and this was all a joke? A plan to humiliate me in public? But no—Daisy and Noah would never be involved in all this. I began to relax, sensing they had no idea that song was about me.

A guy sat at the piano, and nodded to Adam. “Last song,” he announced. “Victor is gonna help me out on this one.”

The first sad, sweet notes wrapped around me, and then Adam began to sing. It was a love song; about a couple who wasn’t meant to be together but they couldn’t stop trying again. The push and pull of the lyrics, the crescendo of his voice as it reached high pitch, then lowered to a hushed whisper; the painful ending of love lost, all of it created a firestorm of emotion within me. When the last note had disappeared like smoke, I blinked back the sting of tears.

Damn him for his talent. Damn him for betraying me and making my greatest fear a song for the public. It would be so much easier to like him if his swagger was fake, but he backedit up. I knew some day, he’d be discovered. He’d be big in the music industry. I’d never heard anyone like him. The thought bothered me on so many levels. Adam stood up, thanked the audience, and exited the stage.

“Holy crap, that was amazing!” Daisy yelled above the applause. “Noah, did you ever think of putting Elle and Adam together for a song? They’d do a sick duet.”

“I mentioned it before but they both weren’t interested. Elle’s still stubborn about not doing music, and Adam said he’s not a singer. He wants to be behind the scenes.”

I clapped along with them, feeling a bit shredded inside. The music had only stirred up my emotions, which had been raw since seeing my dad and step sister. Last night, I’d shot up out of bed at 2am, almost in tears, scared of unseen things like monsters under the bed. Max hadn’t been there. I’d even sent him a text with shaky fingers but he’d never responded. Which I understood. He’d been asleep at his place.

Right now, I craved Max and his comfort so I sent another text.

Where r u? You missed Adam’s set.

I felt bad that Coop and Max hadn’t shown up. I know we were all busy, but Adam seemed to support anything needed without excuse. Max liked to promise shit, then forget or blow it off. Everyone always forgave him because he apologized with such fervor and regret. But for me, it was only another broken vow easily dismissed. The lack of loyalty bothered me.

I saw three dots and then his text came through.Sorry baby there’s an accident and I’m stuck in traffic. Won’t make it. I’ll text Adam.

I blew out an annoyed breath that he hadn’t communicated sooner. Daisy caught my expression and leaned over. “What’s the matter?”

“Max won’t be here. Stuck in traffic.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Sucks. Hang with us until we have to leave. Oh, I guess Gabriella showed up to support him, too. That’s nice.”

I tamped down a groan as she sidled her way up to Adam, giving him a full body hug as a congratulations. I watched his easy smile as he hugged her back and they chatted. I practically squirmed with frustration. It was so obvious she was using him! Unless he didn’t mind being used. God, they were probably fucking each other already. The image made me want to scream.

GROSS.

“Trust me, Daisy, she’s not nice. She was talking smack about Max today.”

Daisy frowned. “Oh, that’s not good. I know you’re having issues, but maybe you can work it out? Especially if she starts dating Adam. I’d hate to mess up the group with a whole bunch of fighting.”

Noah tugged her hair playfully and smiled. “You’re so sweet, Dais,” he said, a serious glint in his eyes. “Sometimes, I think you’re too good for all of us.”

“Stop!” But she lit up at Noah’s words, going on tiptoes to give him a kiss. “But thank you.”

“Agreed,” I said.

Adam finally made his way over with Gabriella trailing behind. “Hey guys. Thanks for coming.”

---