Page 61 of Yearn

“Nothing right now. Just defend me to Daisy and Gabby before Landon gets to them. Tell them I cried afterward and that I didn’t remember. Tell them anything you have to so I gain some sympathy. Okay?”

Both of them paused. “Sure,” Noah finally said.

Adam blew out a breath. “I’ll do my best with Gabby but this may be something we can’t contain. Sorry, dude.”

“Me, too. I’ll talk to you later.”

We ended the call and I stared at Coop. A worried frown creased his brow. Probably more about Elle than me, but we were such a tight group, when one couple had issues, it affected all of us. Who knows what the bigger fallout would be.

I had one major goal to accomplish.

Do anything to convince Landon I was sorry and worthy of a second chance.

“Gonna give her time to cool off?” Coop asked.

I went with my gut. Usually, I’d give her space to settle and blow off the initial steam of emotion. But Landon needed to know I wasn’t about to slink away. She needed to believe I would walk through fire and anything she could throw at me to gain her forgiveness.

“No. I’m going over there now.”

“Good luck,” Coop said. “Elle hasn’t called yet so she probably doesn’t know.”

I had a shrinking time span before the world knew what a dick I was and everyone hated me. I needed to get to her first and sow the seeds.

I got dressed and headed to Landon’s.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Adam

Listen to Dance you Outta my Head

by Cat Janice

No fucking way was I getting involved.

I stared at the floor and tried to wrap my brain around Max’s announcement.

She’d seen the video.

I wondered who’d been the one to leak it. A friend or enemy? I’d seen it only once and immediately hit delete. Watching Max screw another girl when he had a queen waiting at home was asinine, but Max always liked pussy, especially new. My bet was on one of the guys from Jersey, who’d probably stumbled across it and decided to have some fun. Not sure how he’d tracked down Landon but it was the only story that made sense.

I thought of Landon watching the scene play out, alone in her apartment, ready for Max to move in. A mixture of regret, satisfaction, and anger rose up and tangled inside of me. Why did this have to happen now, when I’d finally gotten to a placeof peace? After our last dialogue, my very soul cried out for the roller coaster to stop. She belonged to Max, and I was tired of panting from the sidelines, pretending I didn’t care. But if we reverted to our charged, snarky banter, it always led to a steamy sexual tension I couldn’t fight. The only way to try and be together as a group and not lose my mind was to let it all go. Landon, my fantasies, and my resentment over Max cheating.

It wasn’t my business anymore. If I was distant, yet friendly, I’d pull the plug on anything that could hurt me. I’d tested it out at the club and things had been better. It was the beginning of a new chapter.

Now this. Imagining her tear-streaked face, flushed with rage and pain, made my fists curl tightly and a curse escape my lips. She didn’t deserve it, but God had a sick sense of humor. Maybe it was best she learned about Max now. Though, I had to admit, since he’d announced they were moving in together, he seemed completely focused on Landon.

Too little, too late.

Landon was the not the type of woman you cheated on and survived. I doubted she’d stay in the relationship, unless he could either spin or deny the accusation. That video allowed no room for denial, so he must be committed to explaining. And if she forgave him?

I thought of them back together while she ripped herself apart with doubt and distrust. Stalking Max’s actions and texts and encounters with every woman he spoke with. Sounded exhausting and not worthy of her, but it wasn’t my choice.

I was done.

I pushed down the pressing need to check on her and got ready for my day.

After a shower and quick breakfast, I headed to the studio to meet Unison. The album was recorded but we were going over last moment tweaks before the debut. I’d be in back-to-back clubs for the next few weeks until we headed to LA. The idea of touring in a band seemed like it should be happening to someone else. Uneasiness was a constant companion, as I kept doubting this was really for me, but I kept reminding myself I needed to commit and go full force on being the lead singer.

---