Page 49 of Crave

I got our favorite booth and ordered coffee and Elle’s favorite French Toast special. She rolled in with her hair up in a messy bun, baggy sweats, and a t-shirt. Typical morning after outfit when nursing a hangover. Jealousy struck when I thought of her partying and having fun after our big fight but I pushed it away.

“I ordered you the French Toast.”

“Thanks.”

We stared at each other and I had the strange impulse to cry. Elle was my sister. I didn’t know how to do life without her—shewas my person. “I’m sorry,” I finally said. “That it blew up like that and I didn’t get to talk to you in private. But I swear, you need to believe you were the only one I confided in.”

Her eyes filled with anguish. “Landon, I know. I was a total bitch. I lost it because I was mad you told Gabby and not me and felt stupid. And after Max punched Adam, you seemed to act like it was you against us and that got me mad, too. I thought you blamed me for getting caught. I texted but obviously you didn’t see it.”

Tears burned against my lids. “Elle, I wasn’t mad! I felt like I was in this bad dream or some Black Mirror episode. One minute, Adam and I were going over our plan to tell everyone in this calm, informative manner, and the next, the shit hits the fan and you hate us.”

“I don’t hate you. I love you. When I got up this morning and saw Gabby’s video, I convinced myself you were in on it but I knew the truth. I know you, Landon. Sure, you want followers and to become known, but not like this. Not at the expense of Adam and Max.”

I reached out across the table and she snagged my hands. Relief washed through me. Elle hadn’t turned her back on me—she’d needed time to process. “Thank God, because I cannot go through this alone. I’m losing my mind.”

“Did you call Gabby?”

I shook my head. “Adam and I saw the video. I keep thinking how she played all of us. Maybe the whole friendship thing was a lie. It makes me sick.”

“We need to talk to her. This is ridiculous—we have to know.”

“You’re right. Let’s do it now.” A chill overcame me as I tapped out her number and put her on speaker.

She picked up. “Girl, I’ve been waiting for you to call me.”

“I bet. How about you get your ass over to the diner? I’m here with Elle. I think I deserve a one on one, don’t you? Or is that how you like to ruin people? Stabbing them in the back?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

I shared a disbelieving look with Elle. “I’m talking about finally telling us the truth, Gabby. Because you are a fucking liar and cheat, just like I originally thought.”

“Okay, this shit is going sideways fast. Stay there. I’ll be right over.”

The phone clicked.

Finally, I’d get the answers I needed.

Because I was going to burn this whole fake friendship to the ground.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Landon

Listen to Burn

by Ellie Goulding

Iwatched Gabby enter the diner, looking gorgeous as usual. She looked fresh and put together, her hair in a sleek pony, emanating mob wife style with black boots, leopard t-shirt, and a black silk mini. A classic Chanel purse set off the amazing outfit. Elle and I shared a glance of pure jealousy as she slid into the booth, her bold red lips pursed in concern as she stared at us. “Did you at least order me coffee?”

I gave her a cold, dismissing look. “No, because you’re no longer our friend. You fucked me over big time by videoing a private moment and posting it on the web for everyone to gawk at. I hope it got you enough followers to make betraying me worth it.”

Gabby let out a dramatic sigh. “Really? I can’t believe you’re still questioning my loyalty. I thought we were past this and true friends.”

“Friends don’t do this stuff,” Elle hissed. “You didn’t get permission from Landon to share, plus you deliberately made it seem that you were told they hooked up. Landon said she never told you so you’re also a liar!”

Gabby shook her head and I caught a gleam of hurt in her eyes. “Wow, okay. I guess I was wrong about all of it. So, I’ll give you my truth and then I’m out of here. I’ll leave you and your precious group.”

I refused to soften. “Spill.”

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