Page 81 of Yearn

by Taylor Swift

I’d gotten the reality show.

By the time I finished speaking with the casting agent, I was practically shaking with nerves and excitement. It had been a while since I heard back so I figured I hadn’t gotten the job. With the distraction of my personal life blowing up, I forgot to be depressed, but now I was told the job was mine if I wanted it.

I headed home while my brain exploded with the info. I needed to contact an agent to look over the contracts, and go into the studio for some pictures and meet the other cast members. There was an informational meeting with the producers on what to expect on Friday. I was finally moving forward in my career and the victory was sweet.

I quickly called Elle, who was still with Daisy and Gabby, and had her put me on speaker so I could tell them the news.They screamed and congratulated me. I loved basking in the celebration with people I loved. When we hung up, I thought over who I wanted to tell next.

Adam came to mind immediately, but I hesitated. Not only was our relationship screwed up, I didn’t even know what we were doing together. Plus, he’d been vocal about my chasing bad opportunities like reality tv, so he probably wouldn’t approve.

Max was the second person. Sadness leaked through. He’d been by my side for so long, it felt weird not to share this breakthrough. He’d always supported my career, believing I’d finally break out, and now we weren’t even speaking.

I thought about calling my mom, but couldn’t handle the endless questions. I also didn’t want to know if she was drunk at this hour. Not knowing was so much better for the land of denial.

My father would mock me. Hell, my father wouldn’t even answer the phone. I bet my stepsister would think it’s cool but we never spoke.

How odd to finally face the question of who mattered in life. It seemed my friends and this group were my real family. Could I afford to lose any of them from the fallout with me and Max?

I was nearing home, sifting through a bunch of emotions, when the text came.

Can we talk? I promise I won’t be a dick. I can meet you anywhere.

It was as if the universe pushed Max and I together for a reason. I bit my lip, going over the options, and texted back on impulse.

Meet me at the café by my house.

I immediately got the thumbs up emoji.

I waited for him at the back table, sipping a cappuccino. He came in looking rumbled and sexy, his thick hair falling messy over his brow, dressed in a tank that showed his defined arms and work out shorts emphasizing his tight ass. His gaze pinnedme immediately, those blue eyes filled with a humbled anguish as he took a seat across the table.

“Hi. Thanks for seeing me.”

I nodded. I wanted to be mad, but an image of me in Adam’s bed dampened my temper. Seemed as if we’d both hurt each other in ways that would be unforgivable. “I heard you spoke with Gabby last night.”

He winced. “Yeah, I was a wreck. I needed some advice and none of your other friends would talk to me.”

“And you’re surprised? After what you pulled?”

“Landon, I’m sorry about last night. I lost my mind a bit but there’s no excuse.”

“It was fucked up, Max. You have no right being mad at me, or telling me what to do, or who to see. We are never getting back together.”

The Taylor Swift lyrics screamed in my brain. I tensed, preparing for him to plead his case and go another go around, but he gave a sigh, resting his hands on the sticky table as if in surrender.

“I know.”

I raised my brow.

“I was an idiot to think you can forgive me for cheating. You’re not that type of girl. So, what I’m asking for is simple. A chance for friendship. You mean a lot to me, and so does our group. Is there a way you can forgive me enough to move forward and still hang out? I know it’s a lot to ask right now, and you may need time. But I can’t imagine losing you from my life. You’re too important.”

His words touched me deep, and I half closed my eyes as I battled raw emotion. I still loved Max, and now he was saying the exact words I needed. Could I forgive him and be his friend? I know it would take time to rebuild trust. But Max came attached with Coop and Noah and Adam, and Elle and Daisywere my sisters. The girls were choosing me now, but how long could we all avoid merging the group together? How long could Elle be mad at Coop and refuse to hang with Max? Eventually, we’d crack and the stress of our conflict would overflow to everyone.

Another reason to keep Adam a secret. If we even continued to see each other.

I let out a long sigh. “I don’t know. I’d like that, though. But you have to accept that I don’t belong to you anymore. There can’t be blow outs or fights at work, or if I decide to bring another guy with me when we go out. How can I trust you?”

“I’ll show you,” he said simply. “I’m asking for a chance. I can never make up for cheating on you—I’ll have to live with that. But I can do better moving forward as your friend and someone who will always love you. Because I do, Landon. I will love you forever.”

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