Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

Max

Listen to Good Luck, Babe!

By Chappell Roan

I came back late from my parent’s house and headed directly to Landon’s. I figured she’d be pissed about missing Adam’s big night, and dissing her for the long weekend, but when I crawled into bed with her, she only murmured and burrowed into me. She smelled of vanilla and spice and I kissed her neck where it met her collarbone, knowing it was her sensitive spot. When she was on the verge of orgasm, if I bit her right there, she’d always come with a throaty scream that made me feel like fucking Ironman, ruling the world before he had to die to save it.

Landon always did that to me. She was a pain in the ass. She was demanding, controlling, and thought she was better than anyone around her, including me.

She was also sexy, sweet, and addicting. No matter how many girls I’d been with in the past, no matter how many times I’d sworn I wasn’t into serious relationships, Landon made me want to change. I wanted to be the only one in her life. Before her, I wouldn’t give a shit if a girl I was with flirted or chased after another guy. There were too many options for me, and no one was that important.

But now? Landon had fucked me up for anyone else. Sometimes, her hold got me riled up and I wanted to prove I didn’t need her. I’d tested the bond several times before, and each time, I came running back. She was my addiction, better than drugs, alcohol, or straight sex. And I was getting more comfortable with the fact. I didn’t want to run anymore or screw it up. I only wanted…

More.

My dick was hard and aching but I didn’t want to wake her. She was curled up in my arms, her ankle hooked around mine. Her beautiful face was relaxed in sleep, her full lips slightly parted. Underneath that queenly exterior was a heart I wanted to own. She made everything else fade around me. Hell, she made me want to be better.

Too bad I was still an asshole. But I was working on it.

I stroked back her hair and reminded myself she was going nowhere. She loved me and wasn’t afraid to say it, though Landon liked to lead me on an obstacle course to prove my worth.

I didn’t mind. Working for something made the goal more desirable, and Landon was always raising the stakes, demanding more. No woman had ever dared to challenge me, and I liked it. I’d been pushing moving in together, figuring she’d jump at the chance. But she’d been dragging her feet and it bothered me. This past week, I doubled down on all the reasons we should go to the next step. I hadn’t meant to spend the entire weekend away though, so my absence may have set me back.

I’d have to do better. But I’d convince her. Once I focused on a goal, I got it. Maybe that’s why we were so perfect together.

No one was ever able to say no to either of us for long.

Ignoring my hard on, I lay back on the pillow and stared at Landon’s perfect profile. Things were going to be different now. I was fully committed to this relationship. No more stepping out when I was drunk. No more mistakes. Coop had covered me this weekend, but I couldn’t keep being sloppy and expect to keep things tight.

My stomach lurched. I thought I’d had it under control, but the last round of shots sent me into oblivion. I hadn’t meant to screw that girl. God, she wasn’t even my type! One moment we were dancing, and the next I woke up naked. It was like that awful time in Long Beach, which had almost broken me and Landon up. It had taken forever to try and convince her there was no video and I hadn’t cheated.

Both lies. I regret them. I wasn’t a bad person, though. If you loved someone, and knew your mistake wouldn’t be forgiven, was it so wrong to keep them in the dark? Especially when it meant nothing to our relationship? I loved Landon. Sex with faceless women who I didn’t care about was bad, yes, I wasn’t in denial. But once we moved in together, it would never happen again. I felt it in my very soul, because I’d finally have enough to lose.

I wouldn’t screw up again. I had to convince Landon to give me the shot.

I finally drifted into sleep. When I woke up, the scent of coffee and bacon hit my nostrils and led me to the kitchen. My jaw almost unhinged at what I saw.

Landon in her short silky robe, barefoot, at the stove. Pans were on the burners and bread in the toaster. I caught her low curse as her head whipped back and forth, giving her attention to various pieces of the meal in confusion. She’d never made me breakfast. My girl didn’t cook and didn’t try.

“Landon?”

She spun around with a gasp. Then stuck her hands on her hips and glared. “About time you got your ass up. I made you breakfast but you have to eat it now.”

I walked up to her and took in the absolute chaos she’d created over eggs, bacon, and bread. I noticed the stack of burnt toast shoved to the side, the fatty, dripping bacon and grease that exploded over the pans, and the overdone eggs that wiggled like plastic. “Why did you do this?”

She shrugged. “I was being nice.”

I was surprised by the bolt of tenderness that speared me. Knowing she’d tried for me. “Miss me, baby?” I teased with a grin.

She blew out an annoyed breath. “I thought you’d be hungry after your long drive last night.”

I ignored the guilt and reminded myself it would never happen again. The girl meant nothing and was in my past. Landon was my future. Closing the distance, I took her in my arms and kissed her long and deep. She allowed it, and my insides zinged to life.

She stepped back and threw out her arms. “You need to eat now. I didn’t do all this awful work for you to get another type of appetite.”

I laughed and sat down. She actually served me a plate, and I swore I’d eat every last bite even though I was positive it sucked. “Thanks, baby. If you move in with me, I’ll cook breakfast. I’ll spoil you so good.”

“You’d be moving in with me,” she said absently, slapping a mug of coffee on the table. I loved that Landon was sweet but sassy. I’d never get bored with her.

“Doesn’t matter, as long as I make you happy, right?” I grinned and forked up the eggs. Ah, hell, they were worse than I thought. I chewed. “Damn, these are good.”

“Really?” She perked up and sat down next to me. “How are your parents? Did you have fun?”

“I had a blast. They said hello and hoped you’d come with me next time.”

“Maybe I will. Here, have bacon.”

The cold fat almost stuck in my throat but I managed to swallow. “Delicious. Thank you.”

“Welcome.”

“So, how did Adam do? Tell me about it.”

Her gaze dropped and she sipped her own coffee. “It was fun. Gabriella was there.”

Damn, Adam worked fast. Not that I was surprised. There had been a definite connection with me and Gabriella, but Landon had sniffed that out right away. I had to back off and I didn’t care. God knows, I didn’t need any more drama, but knowing how fast she’d gone to Adam pricked my ego.

Adam and I were tight, but not like me and Coop. Coop didn’t worry me. He was in his own world with his photography, loved Elle, and never seemed interested in competing with anything I wanted. Adam was different. My crew looked up to me and followed my lead. With Adam, I got the feeling he was humoring me. He was completely self-reliant. Sure, he partied hard, had my back, and was a pisser to hang with. Everyone loved him, and he was crazy talented with his music. I’d never been jealous of a guy in my life, but Adam came close. He had an innate confidence, even with his crap childhood.

But there was a strange feeling that hummed in my gut when I was around him. An instinct to watch out, because I’d never see him coming if he decided to turn.

It made no sense, so I pushed the voice out of my head.

“Are you pissed off he’s hooking up with her?” I asked carefully, forking up another bite of eggs. I figured Landon would lose her shit to have Gabby in our circle, especially the way she hated Adam. Those two were always at each other and I had to play mediator. I imagined things had not gone smoothly since I hadn’t been there to referee.

She shrugged again. “Whatever. Adam can do what he wants. If he doesn’t care about whoring himself out, why should I?”

I tried not to wince, happy that at least she’d let me off the hook.

Her voice held a faint, accusatory tone. “She already plastered him all over her TikTok. He’s going viral.”

I stared at her, surprised. “Damn, I didn’t think she had such a big audience.”

Landon glared. Her blue eyes filled with fire. “If Adam wants to hang with Gabriella, he’ll have to do it without us. Let them go off and be happy with each other. I’ve had enough of his shit.”

She got up from the table and began slamming dishes around. Fuck. I’d messed up. Of course, she was jealous of Gabriella’s fan base, especially since she’d been trying so hard to grow her own media accounts. I’d told her it was stupid—she was a kick-ass model and should focus on that—but telling Landon what to do was useless.

I got up and stood behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist. She stilled, and her body stiffened. “Baby, I’m sorry. She can never be you no matter how many followers she has. I’ll talk to Adam, okay? Tell him we need some space if Gabby will be around.”

“You’d do that? You never take my side over Adam’s.”

I turned her around. Gazing into her gorgeous baby blues, I saw a gleam of emotion I’d never spotted before. Almost like regret. But it must be just the light. “Maybe it’s time I start showing you how much you mean to me. I pick you, baby. Every time.”

She closed her eyes. I studied her curiously, watching some type of struggle play over her face. When she opened them, her gaze was clear and sharp.

“I want to move in together, Max. I’m ready.”

Triumph spurted up. Maybe the time away had done its job. Maybe she’d just needed the space to miss me. I kissed her hard, my hands roving over her sleek, sexy curves. “You won’t regret it. I’ll make you so damn happy.”

She kissed me back, then leaned her head against my shoulder, turning away. “I know you will, Max.”

I savored the words, and ignored the sadness laced in her voice.

Later on, after I’d taken her to bed and given her an orgasm, I called Adam.

“Did you think I wouldn’t find out, asshole?” I asked, after he picked up.

I was surprised by the silence. It was as if he was actually nervous.

“Find out what?” he asked after a long, heavy pause.

“That you were fucking Gabby! Man, tell me it was as good as I imagine. Is she still there?”

He cleared his throat. No voices or sounds came from the background. “Nah, she’s not here. We didn’t hook up yet.”

“I’m sure it won’t take you much longer. Dude, I went on Tik Tok, you’re blowing up. I guess last night rocked, huh?”

“Yeah. It was good.”

What was going on? First Landon acting strange, then Adam. “OH-KAY. Figured you’d be a bit happier to tap a hot woman, and get noticed, but what the hell? It’s been a weird morning.”

“Don’t I know it. How was your weekend?”

I thought of the girl whose name I didn’t know and pushed her out of my head. “Parents are good. Sorry I missed your set, though.”

“Doesn’t matter.” An awkward silence fell. “You and Landon good?”

I couldn’t help my grin, or my smug tone. “Yep. Better than good, dude. She told me this morning she’s finally gonna move in with me. Or, I’ll move in here, her place is so much sweeter. Guess space can be good, huh?”

Adam didn’t respond, and then I heard the dial tone as he hung up on me.

WTF?