Page 44 of Crave

Max started in again. “Nice move ruining Noah’s gig. I bet you wanted this to happen to rub my face in it, didn’t you? You’re a liar about wanting to talk to us later. I’ve always seen through you man. You can’t fool me.”

I tried not to roll my eyes and make it worse. “You’re the one who punched me,” I said mildly. “And we did plan to tell you. Landon didn’t want to hurt anyone—not even you. She respects her relationships with this group. This has been tearing her apart.”

Daisy gulped back a sob. “But why didn’t you just come clean when you first began having feelings for each other? This seems so calculated!”

“Agreed,” Coop said in a hard voice. “Maybe you wanted to screw with Max, but you ended up betraying everyone. We always had your back, Adam. But this? This is unforgivable.”

A flicker of regret burned but it was too late. I could only hope once the shock passed, they’d see we all made big mistakes. Max cheated. Coop had dragged us into one of his beefs and we spent a night in jail after joining him in a fight. Noah had stolen shit from a club and we lied to protect him. Plus, everysingle one of them had fucked around in the gray area with their girlfriends. There was endless shit that didn’t need to be pulled into the light. I could only hope once they found out how I really felt about Landon, they’d give me a bit of understanding.

“It’s not Adam’s fault,” Landon said in a choked voice. “You’re all pissed at him like he bullied me or something. I fell for him and I’ve been tortured about how to tell you all. We didn’t plan for this to happen, but it did.”

Max shook his head and muttered a curse. “Landon, you’re wrong. You don’t see that he set this whole thing up. He was the one who leaked the video! Can’t you see his plan? Every step was thought out. Adam has always been jealous of me and wanted what I have. Especially you.”

“Adam didn’t do it,” she said. “He didn’t need you to look bad, Max. You did that on your own. Our breakup has absolutely nothing to do with Adam and I getting together.”

“Gabby said she knew,” Elle accused. “When you were with Max. What the fuck, Landon?”

Gabby glanced back and forth looking guilty. “I noticed they had crazy chemistry in AC.”

Max stepped toward Gabby. “Tell the truth. Did they hook up in AC? I know you’re holding back, Gabby. Don’t you think we all need to know everything?”

I half closed my eyes, already anticipating Gabby’s answer. She was a loose cannon but there was no way I was faulting her for telling the truth. Maybe this whole thing was better being blown up now rather than later.

Her gaze met mine and I gave a tiny nod, letting her know I wouldn’t be pissed.

“I think they kissed.”

Another explosion of raised voices and accusations.

Noah came out of the club with a tight expression. “I gotta get back in and start set up. I can’t deal with this bullshit right now. I need to work.”

I raised my hands. “Understood. I’m sorry, Noah, I didn’t want this to happen. I’ll leave.”

“Fuck, yeah, you’re leaving,” Max growled. “Landon, stay with us. We’ll hear you out.”

A strange quiet descended. I looked at them all and realized they’d chosen. If I stepped away, they’d take Landon back into the group and freeze me out. Pain hit, but I understood. Maybe it was the right thing. If I could let Landon go, I’d surrender, take off, and allow her to sink back into the fold of her familiar friendships. I was the one they hated.

I was the one who had to go.

The only problem?

I couldn’t leave Landon. It was too late for me, and for us. Maybe if I wasn’t a selfish asshole, I’d go on tour and leave this whole mess behind. Landon would forget about me. Maybe Max would eventually get her back. I’d make new friends and let my bandmates be my new family.

But I wasn’t going to do that.

“Landon stays with me.”

Shock settled on all their faces. My heart sped up and knocked crazily against my chest as I waited those few terrifying seconds to see if Landon had changed her mind. I waited to see if she’d look at me with regret and choose her friends over me. The known over the unknown. It’d be easier and cleaner. It’d be the smart choice.

My gut clenched. And I waited.

“I’m with Adam now,” she said softly, easing back to my side. “I want to talk to all of you and explain. What Gabby said is the truth.” Her chin tilted upward and pride spilled through me at her raw vulnerability. “I’ve been fighting my feelings for Adam along time. I buried the truth because I didn’t want to face it or betray Max, or hurt any of you. I love you all. You’re my family.”

“Landon—” Max interrupted, but she shook her head and continued.

“No, you have to listen! Adam fought just as hard. Tried to push me away over and over but there was a pull that eventually sparked after I saw that video. I know we lied. I know you hate us, and feel betrayed, but I swear to God, I only did it because I had no idea how to handle the truth.”

“What truth?” Coop spit out. “That you wanted to fuck him while you were with Max? That you made it seem Max destroyed you while you were already cheating on him with his friend? What’s your fucking truth, Landon?”

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