Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty-Six

Landon

Listen to Burn

by Ellie Goulding

I watched 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.”

“First off, I was filming already as we walked in to do a post, so I wasn’t this blood thirsty bitch hitting the record button as everything went down. I actually forgot about it—which you’ll see in the video when my phone slides down and you see the floor for a bit. Then I realized that if I recorded, you both could benefit big time.”

I gave a bitter laugh. “Makes no sense.”

“Yes it does, Landon! You’re about to go on reality tv and shit’s gonna get real. The producers will be watching to see who flourishes in their role, and how you can pull in viewers. If they find you lacking, they’ll give you no camera time and edit it to make you look like an idiot. Or boring. Or mean. They’ll create a persona that people will hate, and you will get slammed by the media. I see it all the time. This video shows you as a real person. A woman torn between her emotions and her friends. It’s big-time drama, and you’re vulnerable. So, now, no matter what happens with Dumped , you’ll be filming with a built-in audience, plus sympathy. No one will mess with you now.”

I was so ready to call her out and blast Gabby for the betrayal, but her words actually made a sick type of sense. Gabby was more central to that world, and hadn’t I been worried about how the producers already viewed me?

Elle tapped her finger against her mug. “So, you did all that to make Landon look good?”

“Yes! What could I possibly get out of it otherwise? And Adam will now be going off to LA with a huge audience. I bet Unison is already blowing up because everyone is going to want to listen to his music. People go their whole life without an opportunity like this, and I’m the one who gave it to you.”

I thought about Adam saying how Unison’s socials were exploding. I thought about how many messages had already slid into my DM’s. I hadn’t even checked the Dumped social media. It was brand new with not many followers since we were just beginning to film, but I wondered if it was the same type of snowball effect. Nowadays, bad press was good press and vice versa. It didn’t matter as long as the content was raw and real.

Our blow up had been both. Big time.

My anger dulled. “Okay, I do see your point. It felt calculated though, Gabby. I got the major ick factor. Kind of like when I saw that video of Max cheating on me.”

Her voice turned pleading. “I would never do that to hurt you! And Elle, you were right. Landon never told me straight out she’d kissed Adam. I had a gut feeling when I caught them both in AC, and I was hanging with Adam a lot so I could see the look on his face when he was around Landon. It didn’t take me long to see they were eventually going to hook up. I’m sorry I made it sound like you were out of the loop.”

Silence fell briefly over the table, but I could see Elle was already softening. So was I. When I analyzed what the benefits would be to try and humiliate us, it didn’t make sense. My emotions were running high, and it was easy to think the worst.

“I wish you would have told me,” I said.

Gabby bit her lip and looked guilty. “If I did, you would’ve tried to stop me. I figured if I took the decision away, it’d be easier for you.”

I sighed. “I guess you’re right.”

“Am I leaving or can I get a fucking cup of coffee?”

Elle and I laughed. Gabby slid her hands across the table and we linked up. “You can stay, bitch,” I said. “God knows, I need as many friends as possible right now who don’t hate me.”

Gabby rolled her eyes. “Oh, please, no one hates you. Well, maybe Max. Daisy probably already feels guilty and will reach out today. Coop will follow Max’s lead but there’s nothing to do. He either accepts it or not. I actually think it’s a good lesson for Max. He’s too used to getting everything he wants.”

Elle nodded. “I agree. Not that it’s tit for tat, but the guy’s not innocent. It wasn’t like he’s been the perfect boyfriend.”

I agreed, but couldn’t help feel guilty. I knew I was a bitch, but sneaking around with Adam wasn’t cool. At least both Elle and Gabby understood, and I hoped the entire group would eventually forgive and move on.

Maybe.

“Will you explain to Adam I’m not the villain?” Gabby joked. “Our friendship is important to me. He was the only one who gave me a chance when I was trying to convince all the girls not to hate me.”

“I will. He’s not comfortable being in the spotlight.”

Gabby arched a red brow. “He better get used to it. You too, Landon. Because if you both want to succeed, going viral is your best friend.”

“Damn right. I’m going to be trying my own stuff with music. Noah and I are working on some new songs,” Elle said, sipping her coffee.

“Anything I can do to help?” Gabby asked playfully. “Film you and Cooper doing it somewhere naughty?”

I cracked up as Elle turned pink. “You know, too?”

“Babe, everyone knows you get off on being watched. Or caught. It’s a popular fantasy. I think it’s cool,” I said.

“Ugh. It’s weird but I’m getting a little too addicted. It’s like I’ve always been this good girl inside, but Coop is bringing out some things in me I’m a little ashamed of.”

“Sex is meant to be explored in all forms,” I recited. I thought of the dark games Adam and I played together and a shiver raced down my spine. “No one’s judging.”

Gabby laughed. “If you two saw what I do in the bedroom, you may not be my friend.”

Elle and I looked at each other, then Gabby. “Oh, now you gotta tell,” I begged. But she only laughed harder and shook her head.

“Another time. Not ready to share my kink.”

We ate breakfast and afterward I felt calmer. Sure, I’d have to deal with the fallout and social media chaos, but knowing Gabby didn’t do it to hurt us was key. Her point was well taken. I bet the show had no issues with this type of blow up.

In two days, I’d be leaving for filming and I wouldn’t see Adam for a while. I texted him that I’d meet him in an hour, planning to stop at my apartment. I quickly explained that Gabby and I were cool and I’d share details later.

When I got to my place, Max was sitting on the steps.

Heart beating madly, caught between a bunch of raw emotion, I stopped in front of him. We didn’t say anything for a while. He looked like crap—his eyes red, his hair mussed, his clothes wrinkled. He smelled like he hadn’t showered and held the faint scent of alcohol drifting around him.

“I have to talk to you, Landon.” His gaze burned into mine. “It’s important. You need to know the truth before you make a big mistake.”