Page 79 of Yearn

Her smile was both cruel and pitiful. “By happily taking all the shit she’s about to give you. By letting none of her actions bother you and being her solid staunch friend and supporter. Show up at every one of our get togethers, and be what she needs, when she needs. You’re gonna hate every moment, Max. I’m not sure you can do it but I’d love to see you try.”

Her zeal for my agony was irritating but I guess I deserved it. “Can I call you sometimes Gabby? Just to check in?”

She hesitated, then tossed her head. “Sure. Why not?”

Gabby disappeared, leaving me alone with the fallout of my actions.

I had a long road ahead but for Landon, it would be worth it.

Because I knew, deep in my heart, we were meant to be together.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Landon

Listen to The Waffle House

by The Jonas Brothers

Imet with my girls for a late breakfast the day after Adam and I were together.

I’d practically stumbled into my place the next morning doing a full walk of shame. My head spun from his closeness and his scent imprinted all over my body. I didn’t want to take a shower right away, so I walked around the rooms, sipping coffee, and going over every second of our encounter. I touched the bruises at my hips where he’d gripped me; the soreness between my thighs at his endless appetite; my swollen mouth he’d kissed and bit, remembering how deep his tongue thrust between them.

It was a night I’d never forget. The hungry, raw fucking transcended any type of sex before Adam. Already, an hour later, I craved to be back in his bed, open for anything he wanted to do. But it was bigger than the physical connection. Afterward, lyingin his arms, I confessed secrets I’d never told before. It was as if I wanted Adam to have a piece of me, and that was scary as fuck.

He’d ruined me. And I couldn’t tell a soul.

Finally, I forced myself to wash up and get dressed. My girls were worried about me and I owed them an appearance. I headed out, dressed in my Lulemons and sneakers, my wet hair twisted into a tight knot. They were already there, and I gave Daisy and Elle a hug, blowing kisses to Gabby who was squashed against the wall in the booth.

“Thank God, you look good,” Elle said worriedly, her gaze raking over my face and body. I winced inwardly at my intention to lie to her face. If I couldn’t tell my best friends about us, was this connection even real? Or a simple fantasy that would fade with the light of day?

Unfortunately, it was too late to change course. I was committed to my path until I figured out a way to either tell my friends, or break it off with Adam and die with the secret.

Daisy pushed over a chipped flute. “We got you a mimosa to start, and ordered you the egg white omelet you love. Tell us what happened last night. Gabby was waiting for you.”

I shot her a grateful look, for both the drink and not stealing my story. It was the little things I really loved about Gabby. She never needed to own the spotlight, and seemed to hold no jealousy within the group. It was one of the hardest hurdles to conquer for someone wanting to be our friend. “It was awful,” I confessed, taking a sip of my drink. “Max was such an asshole. He was literally acting like he had a right to be jealous, and that just by apologizing I should forgive him.”

Elle sputtered a curse. “I can’t even look at Coop’s face,” she said. “I know he kept Max’s secret, which meant he lied to me. It’s not good.”

Daisy sighed. “Noah, too. He said he knew about the video but he hadn’t been involved in the Long Beach thing—it was only Coop and Max. And Adam.”

I stiffened. I hadn’t even asked Adam if he’d been at the party. I assumed he knew about the video, of course, and covered for Max. But the idea he watched Max fuck that girl and didn’t give a crap still gave my temper a good hard tug.

“Tell them what happened with Randy,” Gabby prompted.

I launched into the story with full details, ending with me going back to my place to sleep it off rather than Adam’s. “I don’t know how we’re going to handle all this,” Daisy said sadly. “How can we all be together again?”

“I have to tell you something, Landon.” I glanced over at Gabby. “I saw Max last night.”

We all gasped together. “What do you mean?” I asked suspiciously. Had I been wrong about her? Was she after him now that we’d broken up? Had she been pretending to be my friend?

She drained her own mimosa and gave me a level stare. “Max texted and begged me to meet him after work so I went. I was so pissed off, Landon. At the crap he was throwing at you so soon after. He didn’t even give you time to process! So, I told him straight out you’d never forgive him.”

My eyes widened. “You said that to him?”

Gabby nodded. “I bitched him out and said what he did was unforgivable.”

Elle grinned. “Good for you!”

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