Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

Adam

Listen to Is it Over Now?

by Taylor Swift

I got back to my apartment with a pounding headache and a burning need to see Landon.

The night had been an absolute blast but I was starting to see how living on the road could be a challenge. JJ was trying to get our name blasted everywhere in New York ahead of our album, and before we hit LA, so we were covered on both coasts. I loved the smaller, fan dedicated venues we were playing, and the place in Brooklyn had been one of my faves. The crowd was a mix of hard-core fans who’d been following Unison before I came, and newer ones who’d heard the rising buzz and wanted to claim fandom in case we exploded. The combo had been electric—we’d done some extra sets because we were so high on adrenalin, then ended up partying late and crashing at JJ’s friends’ place.

I’d hit one of the spare bedrooms alone, ignoring the teasing taunts of the singles who wanted me to partake in some hard play. Women swarmed me, but I kept them at a distance.

All I wanted was Landon.

As I flopped on the creaky mattress, safe behind a locked door, I felt as if Landon and I were nearing a crossroads. Each moment we spent together strengthened the bond between us—both sexual and emotional. I craved her on such a primitive level, I wanted to ingest her; imprint my whole self into her skin and bones so she was just as haunted. So we were nothing without the other.

Groaning, I rubbed my face and tried to sleep. This was fucked up. I’d vowed early on to never let a woman control me. Sex, yes. Love and obsession? Hell, no. It was too dangerous and I refused to be vulnerable like I was with my father. He’d taught me early on not to trust.

But was Landon a sign that things could be different for me? That the world wouldn’t fuck me at every turn? That Fate was not a cold-blooded monster, but a gentler Goddess who wanted to reward me for my past, by sending me the love of my life?

I was falling apart, yet the one woman who was doing the ripping was also the one who made me stronger. I craved to be more…not only for myself. For her.

Glancing at the clock, I fisted my hands and refused to text her. She was probably asleep or out with the girls. She knew I was in Brooklyn tonight and we’d made plans to see each other tomorrow. There was no reason to reach out because I was suddenly needy.

I’d sleep it off and see her in the morning. Fuck her brains out so each time she took a step, she’d remember me inside her. Make her feel so good she’d gaze at me with those half drunk, starry blue eyes that owned my soul.

Finally, I drifted off, remembering the sweet sting of my hand as I slapped her ass and she moaned for more.

The ride back from Brooklyn was too damn long and I needed to do a bunch of shit. My trip was getting closer and I was running out of time to prep, plus I wanted to work on one more song Noah had suggested. He said it’d be perfect for Elle’s debut and Unison was on board, so I didn’t want to disappoint either of them.

I popped two Advil, gulped down a glass of water, and headed to the shower.

Then got a text from Max in the group.

Meet at diner 11am? Need to talk—something happened with Landon!

I stared at the text while my stomach churned. What the fuck was he talking about? I almost shot off a heated response, then remembered we hadn’t publicly announced our relationship yet. Since the moment Max had hinted at some big plan he had to get Landon back, my gut told me something bad was going to happen.

And Landon still hadn’t reached out.

I spit out a curse, wondering what was going on. Quickly, I texted Landon.

Checking in. You good?

I squinted at the screen, relieved at the three dots that immediately popped up.

I’m ok. I miss you. Six pm tonight? Not working Red tonight.

I let out a breath and my muscles relaxed. More of Max’s bullshit stories, probably. I quickly tapped out that I’d see her later and I’d order takeout for a night in.

Quickly calculating my agenda, I decided to meet the guys. Even if I stopped in for a cup of coffee to hear Max’s crap and pretend I believed him, then ditch. I could talk to Noah about the song, too.

I texted that I’d be there and jumped in the shower.

I was the first one to arrive at the diner so I grabbed a booth and ordered coffee for all of us. I’m sure most of us were nursing hangovers. Friday nights were usually legendary in our group, even when we were separated.

Sure enough, Coop and Noah came in looking a bit ragged. We shot the shit for a while, and I realized how much I missed just hanging out with them like the old days. We’d all gotten so busy, our regular cocktail lunches or hangover breakfasts were getting few and far between. I wondered if this was part of how things were going to change for us. I didn’t like to think of splitting up, but once Landon and I told them, I wondered if we’d all be too broken up to return to normal.

“I’ll need to borrow Elle again,” I said to Coop. “She say anything to you about the song we’re gonna work on?”

He shrugged. “Noah mentioned it. Elle finally seems excited about diving into music rather than acting. I’m glad she has you two to look out for her.”

Noah winced. “Yeah, I’m not sure if the music industry or Hollywood is worse.”

“They both suck balls,” I said. “Especially for women. I already told JJ I’d shed him if he leads her wrong.”

Coop nodded. “Thanks, man. I thought she was supposed to sing in a few tour spots with you but said she changed her mind?”

I shrugged. “No big deal. I’m sure JJ will be in touch.”

Coop let out an annoyed breath. “Yeah, but Elle does this. Says she’ll do something, then doesn’t follow through. Pisses me off.”

Noah cut in. “She wasn’t ready.” I looked at him, taken aback by his fierce tone. “Elle said she needed more time.”

“She wants to act but afraid to sing? I don’t get it,” Coop muttered.

“Once Elle’s ready, nothing will be the same,” Noah said

Interesting. Coop didn’t look like he cared that Noah knew more about what Elle wanted than him. He just kept talking. “Well, maybe you can help her out with that. Noah, I haven’t told you how cool it was that you really pushed her on this. You were the one she finally listened to—giving her another possibility other than acting.”

Noah looked uncomfortable, keeping his gaze averted. “No problem.”

I sipped my coffee. “I like the music you’re circling around. I’ll send you some of the lyrics I’m working on.”

“Yeah, mind if we take a shot at it, too?” Noah asked. I arched my brow in question. He cleared his throat. “Umm, Elle and I thought it’d be fun to give you some lyric ideas. If that’s okay.”

“Sure, I didn’t know you were into the writing. Of course, I need to go to the band once we have something solid.”

Noah threw up his hands. “Of course, dude. Not trying to take your place.”

I waved off the comment. “Nah, not a problem. The more minds, the better.”

Coop already lost interest in the conversation. “Where the hell is Max? Didn’t he call this emergency meeting?”

“Right here, asshole.” Max grinned and slid in the booth, greeting us. The waitress came right over and we put in our order. He leaned back with a cat-who-ate-the-canary expression, not looking like the worried or brooding Max I expected. A slither of unease slid down my spine but I tried to ignore it. I’d already connected with Landon so nothing should be too bad. “How’s everyone doing?”

We did a quick catch up, going round the table. Ribbed each other and cracked jokes. I settled into the routine of us together like sliding on my favorite broken-in jeans. Finally, Coop asked what everyone was wondering. “You ready to tell us what’s going on? We all dropped our plans to show up for your ass. Is it in trouble?”

Max’s face morphed into a more serious expression. He looked around the table, meeting each of our gazes directly. When it was my turn, a dark sense of betrayal unfolded within me. I didn’t like it but I also didn’t know how to make it any better. Landon and I were sleeping together behind his back, and though Max had been the one to fuck it up, I was there ready and waiting.

Some friend I was.

“I’m sorry, guys. I don’t think I tell you enough how much you all mean to me. Shit got crazy last night and this morning, and my head was gonna explode. The first thing I did was text you, and you came.” He shook his head, blonde hair glistening in the light. “I love you. I really do.”

Coop groaned and Noah rolled his eyes. I gave a laugh. “Were you watching The Notebook again?” I joked.

He laughed, too, and a sense of warmth settled over the table. We’d been through a lot together and ended up right here when shit went sideways, trying to help the other. I hoped to God Max was going to announce he wasn’t into Landon anymore. That he’d fucked someone else and he was in love again. Anything that would help all of us.

“Sorry, I wanted to let you know since most of the time I’m an asshole.”

“Hell, yes,” we said in unison, which made us all crack up again.

“Okay, back to the purpose of this get together,” Max said. “I worked the late shift with Landon last night. You know, the exclusive shifts in the lounge where all the sex shit happens?”

My gut clenched into a tight fist. WTF? Landon hadn’t mentioned anything.

Coop nodded. “Yeah, Elle told me about that.”

“I was able to convince Rock to get me in. The money’s crazy, and it’s pretty easy. I asked Landon if she’d work with me so we did the shift together last night.”

Noah grinned. “Why do I think that was majorly planned. Dude?”

Max practically stretched in satisfaction., “Cause it was. Figured I’d have some time with her, and maybe it would spark some memories. But I’ve been careful about keeping my distance. I’m playing the long game, so no jealousy.”

I listened with curiosity but I wasn’t worried. I knew Landon had moved on, and couldn’t help Max’s intent to get back with her. “So, what happened?” I asked.

“Landon got attacked by some asshole last night.” My blood ran cold and I froze, staring at Max. He was talking casually like he hadn’t set off a bomb. “Some asshole got handsy and blocked her in the exit hall. I tore him off and punched him, but he got in a good hit and took off. We couldn’t find him.”

Noah whistled. “Is she okay? That’s fucked up.”

“Yeah, she was upset, so I spent the night at her house.” Max sighed, looking off into the distance, as if caught up in memories. “It was nice to be with her again. She let me cuddle her; take care of her. We talked for a long time. Fuck, having her back in my arms? Guys, it was epic.”

My blood went from cold to boiling, until I had to sip breaths in tiny doses or I’d explode from the booth.

Landon had gotten attacked at Red. Another man had tried to hurt her and she hadn’t called me.

She’d gone home with Max instead.

My head spun but I tried to keep cool. Noah seemed genuinely freaked out about it, but I noticed Coop didn’t look surprised. He just ate his pancakes like he’d heard the story before. Like it had happened before.

“Wait—go back to the attack,” I said calmly. “Tell me exactly what happened. Each step.”

Max didn’t seem to think my demand was off, and he quickly summarized the events for me. “Some rich asshole who’s probably well concealed. Rock said he’d try to dig but I don’t think anything will happen. But you know how they say something good comes from something bad? Last night, things finally turned for me.”

“How?” Noah asked.

“I told Landon I’d sleep on the couch. Again, I’m playing the long game. But she had a bad dream and called out, and when I went in to check on her, she pulled me into bed. We slept together the whole night, and she woke up in my arms. Then I made her breakfast—just like the old days.”

I couldn’t seem to register the words. They came from far away, and I almost heard the bang of a nail, closing in my coffin.

Landon had slept with Max.

I spoke in a too high voice. “Wait—did you have sex with her?”

He hesitated. “No. Not yet. I started to kiss her and she pulled back. I could tell she was into it but looked all guilty and shit. Told me she was seeing someone else. That’s why I called you guys.”

His face tightened. His blue eyes iced with sheer determination and something else, something almost diabolical.

“I need you to help me find out who it is so I can ruin him.”