Page 8 of Yearn

“I’m done. With all of your bullshit. But mostly? I’m done with you.”

“Landon!”

I waved off Max’s plea and rushed out of Whispers.

Chapter Four

Adam

Listen to Damn, I Wish I was Your Lover

by Sophie Hawkins

After Landon ran out of the bar in her usual dramatic fashion, I needed another drink.

Max was cursing and seemed torn about her exit. “I can’t take this shit anymore,” he muttered. “This was supposed to be a fun, chill night.”

I patted him on the back and ordered two more shots. “Going after her?”

He groaned, staring at the door. “I don’t know, man. I’m not up for the drama.”

On cue, the other girls came over. “Where’s Landon?” Elle demanded.

I hooked my thumb and motioned toward the door. “Probably trying to get an Uber.”

“What did you do?” Elle asked Max.

I shook my head. Of course, it was always Max’s fault. “Spoke with Gabriella,” Max said miserably. The shots came and he took it like medicine. “Landon freaked out.”

Daisy nibbled her lower lip. She hated when anyone fought, but in this group, it was impossible. “We better go after her.”

Elle agreed. “Grab your purse and I’ll tell Coop and Noah.”

Without another word to us, they rushed out after their friend. Max let out a humorless laugh. “Things are gonna be fun tonight.”

“Then you better enjoy yourself now.”

He laughed, and the mood lightened. I watched as my best friend visibly clicked his brain off from Landon and focused on the present. He was good at it. At becoming whatever role was needed for the moment, whether it was doting boyfriend, party boy, or employee of the month. It was easy for him. Always had been.

I’m just glad I wasn’t jealous. Max had tons of casual friends, but not too many close ones. I figured it revolved around envy—it was hard for most to accept he was born not with just a silver spoon, but looks, charm, and a decent brain. He didn’t fall into shit; he fell into gold bars. I’d been friends with Cooper since high school, and he’d met Max when they were doing some modeling gig together. It didn’t take long for the three of us to form a bond. Max was always fun to hang with, even if we sometimes got fed up with his bullshit. Because the thing you needed to know right away about Max?

He was a liar.

It never bothered me. I’d grown up around liars my whole life and knew how to handle them. You can love them, hang out, and have a shit ton of fun. You can admire their brains, talk for hours, and be entertained. You can go on trips, drink into the night, and pick up women together.

You can’t trust them.

Once I knew the cardinal rule, the rest was easy.

Max raised the shot to me. “Might as well. I’ll deal with my fuck up later.”

I grinned. “Let’s find Coop and Noah.”

The next hour passed without fights, drama, or tension. I loved when it was just me and the guys. Hanging with the girls brought a different vibe. When we were free, there were no more rules. Coop and Max reverted to their usual wild, dumb-ass selves and I was reminded of who we were before Landon came into our group and ruined everything.

We ended up crushed at the end of the bar with a few women surrounding us, but Max was being good. Probably in enough trouble not to raise the stakes. I talked a bit with a cute brunette who was out celebrating a break-up, and figured she’d be up for a one nightery, but I wasn’t in the mood. I ended up with her digits, and walked out with my friends when the bar closed. People were still crowded on the streets, smoking and calling for rides, but I wanted to walk and clear my head. I’d been in a mood for a while about my music and felt the darkness closing in on me. It was dangerous when I got to that level. I lost my control and did things I always regretted.

“Hey. You in trouble with your girlfriends for talking to me?” a husky voice asked.

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