Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

Landon

Listen to No Promises

by Cheat Code/Demi Lovato

I tried not to freak out and swallowed past the lump in my throat. “He’s hooking up a lot, huh? How do you know? Did you see him?”

Max laughed and brought his dish to the sink. He didn’t seem to catch my shaky voice or think it was weird I suddenly cared who Adam screwed. “One of my friends went to his gig last week and said when he went to his dressing room, he heard crazy banging, then some girl came out half naked. Big ass smile on her face, too. And another girl was waiting in line to go in! He’s out of control. I know I shouldn’t judge him—but I want him to own it, at least. He’s become the typical male whore rockstar.”

“Maybe they were just groupies? I heard he shoved out some girls who were trying to come on to him.”

“Yeah? Didn’t hear about that. Let me tell you something—for every girl he turns down, there’s two he’s fucking. He’s gonna be a beast in LA.”

I’m glad Max’s back was turned because I know I turned white. I tried desperately to remind myself our relationship was too special to allow doubts to crawl into my head, but Max didn’t know we were together, so it wasn’t like he got some big payoff telling me this stuff.

I remembered finding that girl in the dressing room, pressed against Adam. I remembered not worrying because I trusted him. But Adam was reaching a whole other level. Sure, he was crazy about me now and we were connected, but after being apart for months while he met endless women? How long would he hold? There was a reason musicians on the road cheated. Eventually, didn’t every male break?

I never thought Max would cheat on me, but he did. Could I really trust Adam with my heart and soul? Max was like child’s play to the emotions Adam held over me. It was almost like an addiction I couldn’t see an end to. But I’d be on a set in upstate New York and he’d be in LA where his buddies would constantly encourage him to run free and indulge, even if some had girlfriends with them.

Sickness clenched my gut. I tried to breathe and settle. I couldn’t let Max know his gossip had affected me so deeply. When Adam and I told the group, I wanted to do it together, not here at my house over breakfast.

I stood up, forcing a smile. “Thanks for breakfast, but I gotta get going.”

“Kicking me out? I get it.” He grinned and came over, giving me a hug. “I’m upset about the circumstances, but happy we got some time together. I missed talking to you. As a friend.”

I noticed he added the last part halfheartedly. “Me, too.”

We said goodbye and he left. I collapsed back onto the kitchen chair and closed my eyes with a groan.

I needed to talk to Adam. Tell him what Max said and be honest. I hated to show my weakness or let him think I didn’t believe in us, but this had to be addressed or I’d worry nonstop. As much as I dreaded it, I wanted Adam to be brutally raw with his intentions about us. Staying celibate was one thing.

Wanting to was another. I sure as hell refused for him to act like he was making some type of sacrifice to stay faithful. Because I knew I could be on a fucking deserted island for months, meet a bunch of Chippendale strippers, and not have any type of impulse to be with anyone but Adam.

I thought of what Max said about Dumped . It would be so much easier to go to LA and be with Adam and let everything back in New York burn. But Max was right. I’ve been working toward this goal, and I couldn’t let my love addiction distract me. Adam was doing his career, and I had to do mine.

Feeling strong again in my decision, I texted my agent and told her I’d be in today to sign the finalized contracts for Dumped.

I took a shower and got ready. When I re-checked my phone, I had a voice mail from Rock about last night. Then Adam texted me to ask me if I was okay.

Weird. He didn’t know about last night. Did he sense something was off?

My mind jumped to the worst-case scenario. What if he’d gotten caught in Brooklyn with some girl and was afraid I’d found out? I chewed my lip and tried to talk myself off the ledge. I couldn’t do this to either of us right now. Stupid Max had messed me up. Until we had our talk, I refused to think the worst, even though it was ripping me apart inside.

I hesitated before telling him I was good and that I’d be over tonight. He gave me a thumb’s up and I let out a breath.

I called Rock back, and confirmed I still didn’t want to bring in the police. He gave me the next day off so I could regroup. Maybe leaving to shoot the reality series was a good break from Red, too. I adored my job but the incident had definitely shaken me up. Which reminded me I had to call Elle and spill the tea.

Gabby’s face suddenly flashed on my phone. I clicked on it immediately. “Hey, girl. I haven’t seen you in a while. How are you?” I asked.

“Landon, what the hell is going on? I heard something bad went down at Red and some asshole assaulted you? And Max rescued you?”

I winced. Damn, gossip spread fast in our group. “Yeah, it’s true.” I gave her all the details while she cursed like a sailor.

“Mother fucker! Are you okay?”

“I am. Taking off today and tomorrow so I can catch my breath. How’d you find out so fast?”

“Had to see Rock early this morning for a few things and he told me. Are you going to do the show? He mentioned you may be taking a leave of absence to shoot?”

“Yep, going to sign contracts today.”

“Good. How’s Adam taking it?”

I stilled. “Why would you ask me about Adam?”

Her sigh was weary. “Really? I know you’re together, Landon. God, it was so obvious the last time we were at the club—you were all over each other with your eyes.”

I gasped. “Oh, my God, does anyone else know?”

“Nah, I’m the smartest in the group. Are you gonna tell everyone? Take you and Adam public?”

A strange relief flooded me as I realized I didn’t have to hide it from her anymore. “I’m sorry I lied to you, Gabby but things were fucked up. I did tell Elle.”

“Damn, you always tell her everything first,” Gabby sulked.

I laughed. “Sorry—habit. No one else, though. Adam leaves next week so we were thinking of meeting up and telling the group before he goes to LA. That way, there will be time and space for them to get used to it.”

“Especially Max.”

I hesitated. “Max seems pretty solid lately,” I said carefully. “No more jealousy. Open to me dating. I hinted that I was with someone but wouldn’t give him a name.”

I didn’t like Gabby’s snort. “Girl, are you crazy? Max is madly in love with you and he’s going to lose his shit. Don’t go into this thinking it’ll be all wine and roses. Expect the worst. I know Max better than you think. He’ll go low and dirty.”

Irritation prickled. “I dated him for a long time, Gabby, I think I know him a bit better than you.”

“Whatevs. Just warning you. Things with him aren’t what you think.”

“Okay, well, thanks for the heads up.”

We chatted a bit and then I called Elle. Later on, I pushed Gabby’s warning to the side. I know Max would flip out, but I also believed he’d eventually calm down. It was all in the way we told him. We’d do it carefully.

If I knew what would happen next, would I have changed my plan?

I’d never find out because it was already too late.