Chapter 36

Chapter Thirty-Six

Landon

Listen to Training Season

by Dua Lipa

“ M ax! What the hell are you doing?” I screamed, shoving him away from Brody as my fellow castmate rolled easily to his feet, ready for battle.

“I came to see you,” Max grit out. “I saw you pushing him away but he wasn’t taking no for an answer.”

Brody shook his head. “What the fuck is wrong with the guys you date? Isn’t this the same dude from the video?”

I glared at Max. “Yeah. I’m sorry, Brody, he’s not supposed to be here.”

“Whatever. Clear up your shit, Landon. Or you’ll find yourself going home soon.” He jabbed a finger at Max. “Touch me again and I’ll break your hands.”

“Try it.”

I jumped in the middle as Brody started toward him. “Ignore him, I got this.”

Brody glanced back and forth between us. “I’m too drunk for this shit,” he muttered, disappearing down the path and out of sight.

Blood pounding in my veins, I turned on Max. “Why are you here? This is a closed set!”

“Lydia knows my dad. I made a few calls and Lydia said I could visit you. I was worried, Landon. I needed to know you’re okay and you’d never return my calls.”

Anger hit, but underneath was the twinge of affection I’d probably always feel for Max. He fucked up, and I didn’t trust him, but something said he truly cared about me. Blue eyes stared into mine with an urgency and concern that dissolved my temper. “Why am I not surprised Lydia let you in here?”

A hint of a smile touched his lips. “Because I still have power to pull a lot of strings from dear old Dad. There are benefits of growing up rich.”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t I know it. Still, you shouldn’t be here. We’re not together anymore and Adam would probably kill you.”

“We spent over a year together, Landon. Just because we broke up doesn’t mean I still don’t love you.”

I stilled. He’d hinted his feelings hadn’t changed but now he’d put it out there. “I’m sorry. I don’t love you anymore, Max. I love Adam.”

Pain flickered over his features. He blew out a breath and took a few steps toward me. “I know. But that’s another reason I’m here. To be your friend when it all falls apart.”

His words gave me a strange premonition that made goosebumps break out on my skin. Like Max was the bringer of doom. “Is this another attempt to break us up? Because he told me all about Josie. I know about his past and it doesn’t scare me. You have to accept I’m with him now and let me be.”

“Even if Adam will be the one to destroy you?”

His soft words chilled me to the bone. I began to tremble. “What did you come here to say?”

“Something you don’t want to hear. And you can blame it on my jealousy and call it manipulation, but the bottom line? He’s going to LA to be a rockstar. Did you see this making its way through social media yet?”

I pretended not to care. It was imperative I showed Max a strong front and that I didn’t believe anything Adam had done would hurt me. “More women?” I drawled.

“Is this what you want your boyfriend doing in his free time?” Max lifted his phone so I could see the picture close up. I tried not to react but the shock still stunned.

A woman was plastered to his side, tits bare, smiling giddily for the camera. Adam also smiled, though he looked a bit stiff. I stared at her social media account. Some perky blonde who dropped hints they’d hooked up afterward. #LAALLTHEWAY.

Nausea rolled in my stomach but I managed to shrug. “Another groupie,” I said calmly. “I’m sure he’ll tell me about it later.”

Max’s face made me want to howl.

Because it was filled with sympathy, not rage. Not resentment. As if he’d known what happened and felt pity that I was being stubborn.

“Okay, Landon. It’s your call. But I can tell you’re unhappy here. I booked a hotel down the road for a few days. I’m not working at Red till Friday so I’ll hang around. Have your back. Lydia told me you were having issues.”

My jaw dropped. “Wait—why is she giving you all this information? You have nothing to do with this show or me!”

“I think Lydia wants you to succeed. Everyone is still focused on that video Gabby dropped.”

“I hate that video.”

“Yeah, but it helped get you into the spotlight where you need to be.” His voice took on an urgency. “Forget Adam. This is your dream, Landon. You talked about this and worked hard to be here right now. Are you really going to throw it away for a boyfriend on his way to stardom? You gonna chase after some guy and ignore your own ambitions? What the hell? That’s not you. Not the badass I fell in love with.”

Each of his words stung and burned like swarming bees. Confusion swamped me, along with the need to talk to Adam. Between Clayton’s kiss, Brody’s challenge, and Max coming back, I was a mess. I needed to be clear headed.

The sound of everyone stumbling through the woods echoed in the air. “I can’t do this right now. I’m so tired and they’re coming back. I need to go to bed.”

“I get it. I’m sorry, Landon. About everything. I’ll come back in the morning tomorrow so we can talk.”

He gave me a smile, and began to walk the other way, hidden by the crowd.

I hurried to the cabin and locked myself in the bathroom to gain some precious privacy. Praying, I tried to dial Adam but the call never connected. Okay, tomorrow I’d go wherever I had to for WIFI and speak to Adam. He’d explain about the picture and I’d understand. I knew in my bones he wasn’t cheating on me. Still, the road ahead was rocky.

Max was right. Adam was going to be a rockstar. He’d travel for months surrounded by groupies and naked women. Eventually, would he get too drunk and cheat, like Max? Would we grow apart because our worlds were different? Would he realize our connection wasn’t as strong as he believed due to distance and endless other choices?

Could I really let him go when I found my soul-mate?

Max wasn’t giving up. Did he see something in our future I couldn’t? I’d never love him like Adam, but what if that type of love was toxic? If I could forgive Max for cheating, and lost Adam forever, would I give Max a second try? Or would Adam own my heart forever, leaving me in tatters?

I squeezed my eyes shut and prayed for an answer. Or the strength to let the pieces fall where they may and surrender to Fate.