I ordered it from the bartender and we waited in silence until she was served. She took a few sips, then settled onto the bar stool. “What did you want to talk about?”
“Gabby, don’t be like that.” I allowed my tone to take on an element of pleading. “I know what I did was horrible. I know I messed up and hurt Landon, but I’m telling you I love her with my heart and soul. I want to marry her one day. She’s the one, and I’ll do anything to get her back. I’m asking for your help.”
She shook her head and gave a laugh. “Why are you coming to me? Elle’s your girl—that’s her bestie. Get through her and you get to Landon.”
“Elle won’t even talk to me or Coop. Daisy was nicer but Noah said she’s disappointed and refuses to give me any time. You’re the most reasonable in the group. I’m asking for your advice—if there’s anything I can do to make it up to her. To get her to forgive me or at least try. I swear to God, I will never screw up again.”
Gabby rolled her eyes and took another sip. “Dude, I’m not Landon, you don’t have to sell me on your integrity or intention. Why’d you bang that girl in the first place if you were so happy with Landon?”
I sucked in a breath and looked her dead in the eye. If I didn’t stick with the truth from now on, I’d never get Landon back. “I think I drank too much and was selfish. I figured I could still have Landon and get an itch scratched. I didn’t even consider I could get caught or blow up my relationship. I just…took it all for granted.”
She narrowed her gaze, then nodded. “Yeah, makes sense. But don’t push the drunk angle too hard. It’s entitled and making excuses. No one wants to hear it.”
“Okay. Got it.”
“I don’t think she’s going to forgive you, Max.” The words were matter of fact but pummeled me like a sucker punch. “Landon will be protecting herself now. She doesn’t want to get hurt again.”
“If I show her how we can grow from this and get stronger, maybe she will.”
“You, dude. If you can grow from this. She did nothing wrong.”
“Right. I’m thinking long term here. Showing up regularly and letting her know how sorry I am. How I’ve changed. How I’ll do anything for her.”
“Well, trying to punch Randy and making a scene at Red was not a good look.”
I winced and drained my own drink. “Yeah, I know. I’m not going to let my emotions get to me anymore.”
“What if she goes and fucks Randy?”
I stared at her with horror. My gut actually clenched and I almost wanted to vomit. “Fuck—are you trying to kill me?”
Gabby shrugged. “Just being real. She’s going to be out there, hurting you back. She’ll experiment. You need to be ready for it. The long game. I don’t think you have it in you, Max. You like things easy.”
I thought about what she said and tried not to flinch from the raw truth. Wasn’t it time I got real with myself? I could move on without Landon and find another woman. Hell, I could get anyone I wanted. I could make nice and watch her with someone else and maybe eventually convince her we can all be friends. I saw that path clearly.
The other path was unknown. It was me not getting involved with anyone else. Watching her hook up and not saying a word. Being her friend and getting her to trust me again slowly, with no expectations she’d ever take me back.
In that moment, I made my decision. I needed to step things up and be the man I knew I could.
“You’re right, Gabby.” She looked surprised at my admission. “I don’t think there was ever anything in my life I needed to fight for. Until now.”
She tapped her fingernail against the glass for a while, studying me under thick lashes. “You need to be ready for anything if you want a shot at getting Landon back. And she may not want you back, Max. Not every woman falls under your spell.”
“I know.”
For a brief moment, I wondered if Gabby had ever thought about us together. The first time we were at Red, before she knew about Landon, there’d been chemistry. The spark was interesting, but I didn’t lean into it because I’d never get involved with anyone at Red or who knew Landon. Plus, I wasn’t looking to break up with my girlfriend for anyone.
But I always wondered if Gabby noticed too; the way our gazes held a bit too long; or that brief moment both our hands reached for a glass and there was a sizzle of heat. We did cultivate a flirtation, which Landon had lost her shit over, but I never got the impression Gabby wanted to break us up. It was almost as if she was feeling her way with our interactions, sometimes stoking the heat and other times playing it cool and distant.
Of course, she was with Adam, and I only wanted Landon. There’d never be anything more between us except a friendship alliance within the group.
“I’m not going to lie to Landon about this conversation,” Gabby said. “She trusts me now. I’ll tell her you came to me for advice and I listened.”
Yeah, I may not like it, but I didn’t blame Gabby for holding tight to loyalty. “Understood. Thanks for meeting me.”
She finished her drink, got up from the stool, then let out an irritated breath. “Okay, listen up. Don’t stalk her. Don’t call her all the time or make any more excuses. You need to man up, take responsibility and show her you changed.”
“How?”