Chapter 3

Chapter Three

Landon

Listen to You Give Love a Bad Name

by Jon Bon Jovi

W hispers was packed but we eased through, high fiving and greeting the familiar crowd who worked the same crazy ass hours and needed a safe place to party. I linked my arms with Elle and Daisy as we fought our way to our regular table in the back. I’d changed into my tattered flared jeans and a barely there white strapless top that showed off my midriff and summer tan. The music blared with top pop and bar classics no one ever got sick of.

“What do you want?” Max yelled.

“Shots!” I held up three fingers. “Tequila.”

He nodded and disappeared with Cooper to get the drinks, while the girls squeezed into one side of the booth. Noah and Adam were already seated, talking low to each other. They were the only two beside Daisy who didn’t work at Red. Noah was carving out a career as a DJ and had begun scoring some of the more popular clubs. It always surprised me he was in the industry since he never struck me as the usual type to whip up a crowd and get wild. He was actually one of the tamest in the crew. His buzz cut, sharp features, and cool gray eyes gave him a distant type of personality, but once he got revved up, he was magic with transforming a mob to want to party hard. Noah and Adam were super close since they worked the industry together.

I raised my voice so they’d hear me. “How’d your gig go tonight?” I asked Noah.

Adam stopped talking and treated me to a look. The look he’d perfected over the past year, guaranteed to set off my temper. But of course, he knew that. He’d been pushing my buttons since we first met and it became hate at first sight. “Do you interrupt every convo you’re not the subject of?” he asked.

Every inch of me throbbed to take him down a few notches. He was one of those musician types that emanated brooding artist. With his long black hair caught up in a man bun, dark intense stare, full lips, and rough type features, he was like kryptonite to women’s panties. He must not own a razor because his chin and jaw were always covered in scruff. His outfit was always jeans and a t-shirt like he didn’t care. His arms were full sleeve tats and his body was all raw muscle from genes and not the gym. At least, Max said he rarely worked out with them so God knows what he did. Adam strummed on a guitar, wrote songs, and pretended he was better than all of us. I hated always having to put up with his revolving harem, which was different than Noah’s groupies. With Adam, it was as if he was doing them a favor by allowing them to hang. As if his artistic self was gift enough.

Normally, I’d say we were both jealous of Max’s attention—the typical buddy versus girlfriend scenario. But it had never been about having Max to ourselves.

I remember when I first walked into the bar and saw Max and Adam. Funny, my gaze had first been trapped by Adam, but I’d known immediately he was every woman’s greatest mistake. His eyes were too intense; his lips curving in a smirk that practically challenged me to impress him. My body had gone into high alert, and I sensed he’d push me to lose control; push me past safe boundaries until there was no safety left.

Fuck, no.

Then I looked at Max, and I exhaled in relief. Max was the type I could handle. He was everything I was looking for, and it was as if Adam had judged me because I refused to be his next conquest. Probably pissed I’d ignored him and picked Max.

When Max and I began dating, I heard Adam said I was too shallow to do anything but fuck because a real conversation would hurt my brain. From then on, we were sworn enemies. I made sure that Max fell in love with me, and spent the past year throwing it in Adam’s face. He made sure he showed me on a regular basis that I was useless. It ended up having the opposite effect—instead of trying to prove him wrong, I only fell deeper into the role of dumb blonde he assigned me. It was almost fun playing the part because I knew it pissed him off. The idea that his bestie panted after me when Adam disapproved caused him aggravation and gave me a cheap thrill.

Unfortunately, Adam wasn’t going anywhere so we’d both learned to mostly make nice with each other. For Max’s sake and the group. But put us in a room together without a referee and we went at each other hard.

The worst part?

Adam was actually talented. I’d heard him perform a few times and his lyrics were beautiful.

I assumed he was plagiarizing because the asshole could never own the ability to feel anything that deep.

I made sure to keep my tone light and batted my lashes at Adam. “Oh, you weren’t talking about me? You were probably telling him you didn’t get that gig at Lenny’s, huh? So. Sorry. What a blow.”

Irritation flashed in his dark eyes. I bloomed with happiness from his reaction. Max had told me Adam had been trying to score a set at the popular bar but they turned him down. “No problem, princess,” he drawled back, taking the hit and recovering quickly. “I’m sure you’ll hear from your tv show soon. After all, they’re recruiting Barbie looking model wannabees to do—” he broke off as if confused. “Well, to do nothing but smile on camera. You’re perfect for the role.”

I glared.

He glared back.

Noah rolled his eyes. “Can we not do this now? Look, here are the shots.”

Daisy jumped in, always the peacemaker, and dispersed the drinks. “Adam, I’m sure you’ll get a better job. Landon, I’m sure the reality show will call back. Now, take a lime, shush up, and suck.”

I laughed because Daisy hated to curse and I found it adorable. She was like an elementary school teacher who got dropped into New York City and into our group like a fish out of water. She even looked the part. Honey colored hair bounced in wild curls around her oval face. Her innocent brown eyes held an enthusiastic light that never seemed to dim, as if she woke up in the morning like a Disney princess and sung to the cartoon like birds in greeting. She was petite and cute, topping out at maximum five foot. Tortoise shell glasses only added to the adorable factor. I’d been surprised at Noah since she wasn’t his usual type, but happy he recognized quality. Daisy had stolen all of our hearts.

I pounded the table with my fist.

“Suck it!” we all yelled together, then took the shot.

The tequila burned my throat and the tart citrus soothed the sting. The alcohol heated my veins and I felt better already. Screw Adam. I’d ignore him like I always did. Max leaned down and kissed me. His lips slid over mine with a familiarity I usually craved, but something felt a bit off. Knowing we had an audience, I returned the kiss with enthusiasm, evoking a little whoop from the girls.

“Get a room,” Elle teased.

“Like the bathroom?”

“Landon!” I laughed at her shriek. Coop’s proud face told me I’d nailed it. They’d totally had sex last week in the ladies room.

“Dude, tonight was intense,” Max said, shaking his head. “Do you know how many times I was asked for a mojito? I fucking hate making those. I barely had time to take a piss and my fingers smell like mint.”

We all laughed. Max was a great bartender but lazy. I always told him he’d never make a full night as a server. “Well, Elle and I busted past our last record. We made over 1K tonight in tips.”

Noah whistled. “Daisy, you sure you don’t want to quit taking care of the old people and work at Red?”

Daisy wanted to specialize in elder care, another thing that blew my mind. “When you’re old and I’m wiping your butt, you’ll be glad I chose my profession,” she teased back. My laugh fell a bit short when I saw the flicker of unease in Noah’s eyes. Yeah, he was definitely not liking a reference to them having a future. My heart twinged. I wanted Daisy and Noah to work out—I thought she was perfect for him. Maybe he just needed more time together.

Noah cleared his throat. “Hey, Elle, I wanted to know if you’d be interested in singing on a track I’m putting together? It may be good exposure.”

Elle pursed her lips in thought. “Depends on when. I’m booked with auditions this upcoming week. Plus, I’m not the pop singer type. You may do better with someone else.”

I was about to interrupt to say her voice was gorgeous but Noah had already beat me. “Actually, you’re perfect,” he said lightly. “I need a unique voice who can bring some emotion to the song. It’s not poppy at all.”

Her brow arched with interest. “A ballad?”

Daisy jumped in. “Yes! He’s been working with Adam on mixing a ballad with a rock song, kind of like the 80’s. Right, babe?”

“Think old school Guns n Roses or even Meatloaf,” Adam added.

“Surprised you didn’t want to steal that for your own,” I muttered under my breath.

Unfortunately, Adam heard me. “Don’t need to steal. I have enough talent to write my own songs. Why don’t you take a pic of your face and post? That’s your job, right?”

I seethed. “Don’t mock what you can’t do and know nothing about. If you have all these amazing songs written, how come no one ever hears them?”

A slight red flushed his cheek. Score . He liked to talk a big game and disappear into his writing cave, but he hadn’t performed anywhere I could hear him in a while. Perfect Adam had his own fear issues. He was just an expert at hiding him.

One recognized the other.

Elle shook her head at our antics but ignored us. “I’ll take a look at the song. I can meet tomorrow morning if we’re sober.”

Noah smiled, obviously pumped to get her on board. He was always saying Elle’s voice was gold but she was stubborn about making it in acting, not singing. “Text me.”

I stopped trading glares with Adam and focused on other chats. We drank and shared stories and gossip. Max and Adam disappeared by the bar, and the girls got up to dance. I downed tequila and soda, sang to the music, and let my troubles go. At one point, Max disappeared with Adam and I lost sight of them for a while. As time passed, I began to survey the crowds to find Max. I was ready to leave early and spend some alone time with my boyfriend. Some time together in bed, talking and snacking, maybe some sex, all of it would beat away these sudden doubts that were beginning to crop up about us.

As if I was missing out on something. Something I couldn’t place, or name, or even imagine. Something…bigger.

“Be right back,” I said into Elle’s ear. She nodded and began dancing with Cooper, who was pretty smashed. I winced. Elle hated when Coop got sloppy, same as I did with Max. Drunken fun was good, but I’d witnessed other behavior from Max that needed to be shut down quick. Like flirting with other women when we were apart. I’d warned Max early on I wouldn’t accept the I don’t remember excuse as he blamed alcohol for his bad decision.

Screw that.

Fanning the back of my neck, I eased my way to the corner of the bar, then froze.

Oh, hell, no.

Fury pumped through my veins as I watched Max throw his head back and laugh. His arm was resting on her hip, and she held her phone up, as if taking a selfie of them together. Adam flanked her other side, a half grin tugging at his lips, probably from the amazing view of her cleavage in her tight, low-cut shirt. Shots were lined up in front of them and I noticed the number right away.

Three shots. Not two.

He’d bought her a damn shot while I was a few feet away. After I specifically asked him to respect my wishes and not mingle with the trash.

I swayed on my feet, caught between walking out and leaving his ass here, or facing both of them head on.

There was only one option, because I was no coward and no man was going to disrespect me.

I headed over to Max, Adam, and Gabriella.

The moment Max spotted me, he dropped his hand and stepped back. Adam assessed my obvious temper with cool amusement, which only ratcheted up my emotions. I deliberately ignored him and focused on Max.

“What are you doing?”

Gabriella didn’t seem to care I was about to lose my shit. “Hi, Landon. How was your shift tonight? I heard you made a killing in tips. Congrats.”

I ground my teeth in order to keep my tone even. “Maybe I wasn’t clear before,” I said. “This is our place to hang after work and let out some steam. I don’t appreciate you cuddling up with my boyfriend anywhere. Not at work, and certainly not here.”

Max groaned. “Baby, it’s not like that. We were literally talking about Red. She was asking me a few questions, that’s all.”

“Sure. That’s why you’re laughing at her phone and taking a pic together?”

Gabriella’s green eyes widened in mock horror. Up close, she was a guy’s wet dream, with her impressive chest and red lips and thick auburn hair. It was obvious both Max and Adam were easily trapped in her whole fake persona of non-threatening, innocent trainee who just wanted some friends. “Oh, my God! I swear I’m not interested in Max—I know you’re both together. I was showing him my new puppy. See? I just posted.” She shoved the phone at me and I blinked as the screen filled with a cute, pointy eared Yorkshire terrier. I also visibly noticed her rocketing follower count, making mine look pathetic. Oh, I knew the game well. She’d done it on purpose to make sure I knew my place.

“Sure, I believe you.” My look explicitly said I knew she was a liar. “Max, let’s go.”

“Aren’t we going to breakfast?”

It was our routine to close out the bars and head to the diner for breakfast. His pleading face made me want to scream. I forced a smile. “You can. I’m leaving. You decide.”

Adam muttered a curse. “Why do you have to be so bitchy? Gabriella wasn’t out to steal your boyfriend, okay? Trust me, you have him on a short enough leash. He should’ve choked months ago.”

I spun around and jabbed my finger at him. “And I know you love to instigate all of these little episodes. How dumb do you think I am?”

“If the shoe fits?”

Gabriella smothered a giggle. Steam rose from my head. “I know about Long Beach. I know you deliberately took Max out and tried to hook him up with your Jersey friend.”

“I did nothing!” Max practically yelled, moving around Gabriella to stand near me. “Baby, let’s go. You’re drunk.”

The panic in his expression told me everything I suspected. They’d all headed out to the shore for one of their regular guy trips. When I tried to get a hold of him, he didn’t answer text or phone all night. I immediately had that awful instinct something had happened, but each time I tried to poke and prod, the guys stuck together and protected their own.

Rumors of a drunken video taken on that trip with Max’s tongue in a random girl’s mouth had made its way around Red, but every time I tried to get my hands on it, the thing disappeared like smoke. Coop and Noah swore it was lies and that he’d passed out in the room alone. Adam wouldn’t even deign to try and reassure me.

Maybe that was the reason I felt off about our relationship. Loyalty was my primary need, and if my boyfriend was kissing other girls, I couldn’t stick around. “I’m not drunk. In fact, I’ve never seen things clearer.”

Adam’s face tightened. “Why should I defend myself? You believe what you want anyway. Leave Gabriella out of your drama.”

Gabriella threw her hands up. “Landon, I’m not sure what I did, but I want to be friends. I promise I’m not looking to take your man.”

My gaze swept her skimpy outfit and obvious need to have every man’s attention. It wasn’t her owning her sexuality that bothered me. It was the way she needed to have other women’s men to feel validated. I’d been around the type forever and spotted it easily. My voice iced. “Trust me, I’m not worried.”

She jerked back at the insult. “Maybe you are just a jealous bitch. I’ve only been nice to you.”

“And I know you want much more than to be my friend.”

She assessed me, then shrugged. “Fine. I’m not going to chase you around or beg to be part of your little group. Think what you want. But I will let you know I’m not going anywhere. Rock told me tonight we’ll be sharing your section, including tips. Said you had a lot to teach me.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Or maybe I’ll teach you a few things.”

Gabriella slid off the bar stool. “Thanks for the drink, Max,” she said, deliberately squeezing his arm. Then she took off leaving me all steamed up, and not in a good way.

Adam seemed to think her exit was amusing. “She’s cool. If you’d get over your ego, I think she’d fit in great with everyone.”

Max stared back at me, obviously not wanting to defend me to his friend, or back me up. As usual.

That’s when I knew I’d had enough. No matter how many times Adam insulted me, or I asked my boyfriend not to flirt with women who were obviously after him, Max wouldn’t listen. Maybe all this worry I’ve been having about us was really just instinct.

Instinct that this whole relationship I’ve been invested in wasn’t worth my time after all.

I pulled myself up to full height and flung out my words in a trembling voice.

“I’m done. With all of your bullshit. But mostly? I’m done with you.”

“Landon!”

I waved off Max’s plea and rushed out of Whispers.