Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

Landon

Listen to Jealous

by Labrynth

I n rising horror, I stared at Max. My head felt heavy and I blinked hard, as if awakening from a deep dream, trying desperately to remember what had happened.

There was no way I would have slept with Max or invited him into my bed. Sure, I was tired and foggy last night, but I hadn’t been drunk or taken pills so I had no idea how he ended up here.

“Hey, baby,” he said in a sleep-roughened voice. His blue eyes filled with heat and a familiar love that dragged me into the past. His chest was bare and his muscles flexed as he shifted position, propping himself onto his elbow. “How are you feeling?”

“What are you doing here?” I tried to screech, but the words came out husky.

He smiled, flashing white teeth. “You don’t remember? You asked me to stay last night.”

I grit my own teeth, crawling to the edge of the mattress. I frantically patted down my body, relieved I was still clothed. “No, Max! What the hell are you doing in my bed? You were supposed to stay on the couch!”

Hurt crossed his features. “You had a nightmare. I heard your scream and came to check on you. When I tried to go back to the living room, you begged me to stay, so I climbed in bed with you.”

“Oh, my God, this is not happening,” I whispered, searching my brain for any type of memory. But I drew a complete blank. “I swear, if you’re lying, and used this as some excuse to try to fuck me, I’ll kill you.”

His look of shock seemed genuine. He sat up, the sheet falling to his hips, leaving him bare to my gaze. Thank God, he was wearing his pants. “Landon, I would never do something like that. Especially after last night. You asked me to sleep with you because you got freaked out. Nothing else happened. I’d never take advantage of you.”

His voice rang strong and clear. I studied him carefully, but his gaze met mine with a sense of outrage, and I finally relaxed. Holy hell, that was scary. I must’ve been deep into sleep not to remember any of it. I couldn’t believe Max would ever lie to me like that. Yes, he’d cheated, but this was completely different. We’d moved forward. We were friends. If he was that diabolical to climb into my bed on the pretense of me calling out to him, then I’d truly never known the real Max.

“Okay. I’m sorry, I just don’t remember and I’m not comfortable.” I hesitated briefly. “Nothing happened, right?”

He shook his head. “I could’ve easily kissed you. You were very clingy. But I wouldn’t cross that line. Ever.”

I offered a weak smile. “I didn’t think so. I guess the event affected me more deeply than I thought.”

“Makes sense. I can’t imagine how vulnerable you felt. I’m glad I could help.” He gazed at me for a while. “Really? We slept together for over a year and you’re acting like I’m a stranger.”

Unease settled over me. “It’s weird now. We don’t have that type of relationship anymore.”

“Landon?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you think one day we could?” he asked softly.

I froze, suddenly feeling like a lamb to the slaughter. I’d suspected he still wanted to get back together after he confessed he still loved me. But now, we were circling dangerous territory and he was half naked in my bed. “No, Max. It’s over for good. I need you to know that.”

I waited for a fight, or him to push back, but he only nodded. “I understand. Just wanted to make sure.” His half grin was charming and self-deprecating. “Had to try.”

I took the opening to get out of bed and quickly don a robe. “I’m surprised you’re not dating someone else. Half of the staff at Red are in love with you, waiting for you to get clear,” I joked.

“Not ready yet. How about you? Is that why you freaked on me?”

His question seemed light and casual. I struggled for a few moments, wondering if I should be honest, then decided it was a good idea to give him a warning. Before I told him it was Adam. “Actually, I am.”

He cocked his head. “Really? Wow, I didn’t realize. Anyone I know?”

I skipped over the question and turned my back. “I need coffee. Want some?”

“Sure.” The covers rustled and he was trailing behind me. “You didn’t answer my question. Afraid to bring him around?”

I focused on the Keurig and ingesting massive amounts of caffeine. “Not ready yet. We’re working some things out, but then I’ll let everyone know.”

“Mysterious. Well, as long as he makes you happy.”

“He does.” I glanced over but he seemed both curious and genuine. Maybe Max realized unconsciously we weren’t good together and he needed to know I was truly moving on. Usually, he was crazy jealous and would lose easily lose him temper knowing another man was circling me. He didn’t look like he was secretly seething.

“Then I support you. We shared a lot together, Landon. I want to know we can move forward and always be friends. You’re an important part of my life and I never want to lose you. Okay?”

I smiled. “Yeah. Okay.”

“How about I make those pancakes you love?”

I bit my lip. It was still a bit weird, especially since Adam didn’t know anything about what happened last night, but I planned to see him tonight and would tell him everything. “Sure, sounds good.”

Max winked and got to cooking breakfast. I poured us both coffee and we chatted for a good hour, going over last night’s events and sharing opinions on what to do next. If anything.

Finally, he brought up work. “What’s happening with Dumped ? Signed the contract?”

“Tomorrow. My agent delayed things, and I started doubting if I should take the role.”

He lifted a brow. “Wait—why would you pass that up? This is everything you’ve been working for. Your platform will explode!”

“I know, but will it explode in the wrong way? I’m worried the producers want to script this story for me that won’t be good for my career.” I gave him the summary of how they wanted me to play up the love interest for one of the guys, and pigeonhole me as the ditzy blonde.

A frown creased his brow as he forked up the last of the pancakes. “What did Elle say?”

“That it could go either way. But she’d do it.”

“Landon, you have to do it. No matter what their agenda is, you can use this show in your own way. Spin it on your socials. Show the world what you’re really made of. This is only the door opening so you can create what you want.”

Max’s words beat through me with hope. I’d been seriously thinking of pulling out, especially with Adam’s invitation on my mind. Now, I began to wonder if it’d be a mistake. I could potentially do what I needed no matter what the producers wanted. “Yeah, that’s true. I never really thought of that.”

He reached out and squeezed my hand. “You’re a badass, Landon. Own it and show the world what you’re made of. I’ll be cheering from the sidelines.”

I nodded. “Thanks, Max. I appreciate the support.”

“Of course. I think you’ll handle the attention better than Adam. You’ll take the opportunity and create something good out of it.”

I stilled, trying to calm my beating heart. What made him mention Adam? I tried to keep my voice casual. “What do you mean? I thought Adam was doing really well. He’s excited about LA.”

Max rolled his eyes. “Oh, yeah, he’ll kill it out there. But it’s different. You knew exactly what you wanted from being an influencer, or model, or any type of career in media. Adam likes to lie to himself. Spins his role as an artist—a writer—almost like he’s above all of us. He spent all his time sneering at the idea of singing, and now he’s not only the lead of a band, he’s traveling the world and cutting an album as part of Unison. It’s not about him anymore, he’s part of the band. He’s gotta stop pretending he’s more and own it.”

I didn’t know how to respond to Max’s strange statement. Max and Adam’s friendship had a ton of ups and downs—they fought more than him and Coop and Max had called Adam an arrogant ass many times. But when we were together and I tried to diss him, Max always stuck up for Adam, begging me to be nice. Touting his coolness and good heart. All the time, I was trying desperately to hate Adam because I wanted him so bad.

But now? I sensed a darker, meaner tone as Max spoke about his friend.

“Adam is an artist,” I said carefully. “He writes songs. He never wanted to sing them, but he’s taking the opportunity in hopes it happens later on. Just like I’m taking this opportunity. We’re doing the same thing.”

He shook his head slowly, as if amused. “I know you never liked Adam and I always defended him. And he’s my friend—one of my best friends. But lately, I’m starting to see things differently. It’s kind of what you’d been telling me all along. I mean, the way he pretends he’s got things more together than the rest of us? It’s getting old. He gave us this song and dance about joining Unison as a sacrifice. Like he was lowering himself and doing Unison a favor. But you should see him out there now. He fucking loves it. He’s playing the role of rockstar to the max.”

I blinked. “Is it wrong to enjoy the benefits of being up on stage?”

“No. I think he’s lying to himself about how much he adores being the center of attention. And the women? You thought he was a whore before?” Max chuckled. “Hell, he’s hooking up with anyone who gives him side eye.”

I stared at Max and hoped to God I’d heard wrong.