Page 66 of Yearn

“What did those guys want?” he demanded. “You were talking with them a while.”

I frowned in warning. “Invited me to Core later tonight.”

Desperation leaked from his voice. “Landon, don’t do this. I know they asked you out, and you want to piss me off, but please don’t go. They’re scum. They were looking at you like you were their property.”

I ignored him and turned to Randy. “Tito’s and soda with lime, please,” I said.

“You got it.”

Max blocked his passage. “Randy—I got this for her. Give us a minute, okay, dude?”

Randy shot me a look but sensed the ratcheting tension from Max. He nodded. “Sure.”

I lowered my voice to a hiss. “Don’t start your shit. Stay away from me. I’m dealing with Randy tonight and who I go see after my shift is none of your damn business.”

His eyes pleaded with me as he made my drink. “Landon, I know you’re pissed, but going with those guys won’t fix anything. I promise I’ll give you space, but I won’t let you get hurt. If you go, I’m following you, even if I have to get off early.”

Max always got pushy and overprotective when there was another guy sniffing around. I used to believe it meant he reallyloved me. Now, I realized it was all about his ego. “No, you’re not, because what I do is no longer your concern.”

I grabbed the glass and put it on my tray.

“I love you, baby. And as much as you hate my guts right now, I know you still have feelings for me, too. All I need is a seed to work with.”

I looked him in the eye with a stony expression. “The seed is dead.”

Gabby appeared by my side. Her eyes glittered with warning. “Max, leave her alone. She’s had enough.”

His gaze narrowed. “I appreciate you supporting her, but this is between me and Landon.”

Gabby rolled her eyes. “No, it’s not. It’s between you and Long Beach Girl and YouTube.”

I almost laughed out loud but having Max near was starting to make me lose my shit. I was getting tired of the pleas and vows to make things right when it was impossible. There was no forgiveness inside me to think of giving him a second chance. “Go back to your side of the bar,” I said. “I’m not speaking with you tonight.”

“You cannot go with those guys to Core. I don’t trust them.”

Gabby raised her brow with interest. “You got invited there? By hot guys table?”

“Yeah. Wanna come?”

“Hell to the yes I want to come!” Gabby yelled. “We’ll get Elle, too.”

“Cool.”

Max looked like he was going to lose his mind. The satisfaction lit me up from the inside. I lifted the tray, ready to move on and ignore his ridiculous warnings. I’d learned early on how to take care of myself because no one was watching out for me. Mom was too drunk and Dad was already gone so when I made a bad choice, I was the only one who paid. I’d gottenlucky before, but I learned hard lessons, and didn’t need Max to protect me.

“Landon, please—” Max begged, leaning over the bar and reaching out to grab my arm.

I didn’t want him to touch me so I jerked hard and the tray tilted. The drink crashed to the floor and I jumped from the noise. I muttered a curse.

Randy came over and got in Max’s face. “What the hell are you doing?” he raged. “Keep away from Landon and do your damn job.”

“I’m trying to talk to my girlfriend,” Max ground out, bumping his chest against Randy.

Everyone at the bar began to stare at us.

“I’m not your girlfriend, asshole,” I said, bending down to pick up the shattered glass and get out of here. Gabby yelped. I heard a scuffle from behind the bar and looked up.

Randy and Max were going at it, yelling in each other’s faces, bumping each other’s chests in growing agitation. “Cut it out,” I commanded, standing up.

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