Chapter 40

Dripping sweat, ramped up on adrenalin from a successful set, I fist bumped the guys in congratulations and headed to change. My head buzzed from the music and satisfaction pumped through my veins. It was all coming together. I still didn’t love being the lead singer, with all the attention attached to the role, but the dynamics between us had strengthened, and we were completely in sync. My lyrics took on another level in Unison’s capable hands and I loved being able to offer my music in the way I imagined.

I just hadn’t seen myself as the one delivering it.

I needed to make peace with my role and lean in rather than fight it. Sure, the ridiculous attention from women who wanted to sleep with an up-and-coming musician would be a turn on to most, but not me. Those women wouldn’t have given me a scrap of attention before, and I wasn’t into sleeping with groupies like everyone believed.

Which was a damn shame, since the only woman I wanted had once again screwed me over.

I cursed as I headed to the bathroom and stripped my shirt off and gave myself a half assed wash. Cupping water, I spilled it over my head, slicking my hair back and retying it in a low ponytail. When I’d sang the lyrics of the song Landon inspired, I searched for her in the crowd. Silvery white blonde hair caught the light like a halo, and my gaze connected with stunning blue eyes filled with an emotion that tore at my heart with greedy fingers, squeezing tight.

Until I saw her standing next to Max.

Watching them together almost tripped me up, and I had to look away to keep from stumbling over my lyrics. Oh, I’d been warned about the group coming tonight. Max had given me a personal call, crowing with glee that he’d talked to Landon and reached a peace pact. They were now trying to be friends, and she’d agreed to meet at the club for my gig. Freshly fucked, she’d climbed from my bed and met with Max. Forgiven him. Then had the balls to hang with him while she watched me sing a song she inspired from the stage.

The woman was a Queen bee bitch. I’d known it, but the sting still throbbed with agony. She’d rip me apart with a smile on her face, and I was allowing the whole thing because of my obsession. Didn’t she know Max had a plan to redeem himself and get her back? Didn’t she realize she couldn’t be allowed to play these games with me? I wouldn’t allow it. And it would stop tonight—no matter how it ended.

I looked in the mirror, dragged my hands over my face, and got my shit together. Right now, I intended to play nice. I was actually glad to see my friends tonight—it had been a while since we all partied. I hadn’t decided how I’d handle Landon since we didn’t talk all week and I had no clue what she was thinking.

Dragging in a breath, I threw on a clean t-shirt and headed out to see them. The rest of the band decided to leave to party at Xavier’s house, but I begged off, saying I had plans.

The crowd was still pumped up after our performance, so it took a while to make my way to the back table where they all were. Noah, Coop, and Max greeted me with high fives and congratulations that warmed me up. I realized how nice it was to have them witness my success since I had no family that cared.

“That was sick,” Noah said, shaking his head. “The sound and compositions were fire.”

“And the energy up on stage had every woman creaming their panties,” Coop said with a laugh.

Elle punched him and he gave a wince. “Don’t be crude,” she scolded. “Adam, I actually teared up. Watching you gave me goosebumps. I think Unison is going to blow up the world when the album is released.”

“With your song on it,” Coop reminded. “Don’t get any ideas about signing with Adam and making all the guys cream their boxers.”

“Ugh, gross,” Daisy said.

I laughed at their familiar antics. “Elle is definitely gonna make a name for herself. I know you’re more focused on acting, but maybe you can do what I’m doing. Use the role to get your name out there, then switch back to acting.”

“You really don’t like being the lead singer?” Max asked curiously. “The fame, and attention?”

I shook my head. “I just want to write songs,” I said simply. “And make a shit load of money.”

Everyone laughed. Landon stood behind Max, eating me up with her eyes in a way that made me hard. I shifted my weight, nodding at her in acknowledgement so no one thought we were acting weird.

“Great performance,” she finally said with a smile.

“Thanks.”

Everyone broke into chatter at once, and the usual flow took over. We got drinks, and I dealt with a sudden line of women who wanted to meet me, flirt, and see if they can either get more information or sleep with me. Max and Noah teased me about the attention. Coop and Elle had something new going on between them—they were all over each other on the dance floor and then snuck away. When they returned, her shirt was buttoned wrong. Landon went over to tell her and Elle fixed it quickly. Daisy stuck close to Landon, glancing back and forth between her and Max as if gauging to see if this friendship thing could really work. Gabby appeared, pressing a full kiss to my lips in congratulations, her eyes sparkling madly with some type of secret.

Landon didn’t come near me and I avoided her. But an entire dialogue was happening with our energies; with our hot gazes resting upon each other at random moments; with the occasional brush of body parts on the dance floor. I took my time and blew off steam, enjoying my friends’ company and the comforting insults, jabs, jokes, and support.

It was only after I caught Max’s comment that I began to fall apart.

“Can you believe Landon is going to be on tv?” Max said, draining his tequila. “I can’t believe they’re making her milk cows and shovel horse shit in the boonies. Doesn’t sound like a picnic to me, but good for her. She finally got an opportunity to get her name known.”

I stilled and cocked my head. “Landon got the reality tv spot?”

“Yeah, dude, you didn’t hear? You were busy most of the week with practice and shit. She got the part for that show Dumped .”

My gut clenched. Max knew. She’d told her news to Max, who betrayed her. But she hadn’t told me a thing, even after my dick and tongue were deep inside her and she begged me for more. The brutal betrayal solidified my intention to step away from the bullshit game she was playing.

“Wow. I had no idea,” I managed to say.

“She’ll do great. I’m glad she let me hang out and seems open to a fresh start.”

Coop rolled his eyes. “You mean a fresh start in your bed, if you get your way.”

Max laughed. “Of course. I’m still crazy about Landon, she’s the one for me. But I need to be chill for a while so no matter how bad things get, I’m going to be the loyal friend supporter.”

“Even if she fucks Adam?” Coop teased.

Every muscle in my body locked up and my breath whooshed from my lungs.

Max didn’t miss a beat. “Especially if she fucks Adam. That would prove my loyalty to her, right?” He laughed and pounded me on the shoulder. “But Adam has bigger fish to fry. Did you see that smoking brunette with the big lips checking you out? Dude, forget Gabby. As hot as she is, it’s time for you to get some serious ass while you have this role.”

Noah rolled his eyes. “Adam’s not a whore like you, Max,” he retorted.

“Don’t have to be a whore to take advantage of being in a band,” Max said easily.

I slammed back my shot and forced a grin. “No one here needs to worry about who I’m fucking. Be right back—gotta take a piss.”

I headed to the back and out the side door where everyone was smoking. Holy shit, this was too much. I turned and asked to bum a cigarette from the guys to my right, and they handed me a Marlboro. I took the light and dragged the smoke into my lungs, trying to steady myself. Landon was still keeping Max in her life, on a tight leash. She wanted both of us at her beck and call so she could decide which worked out best. Why else would she confide in Max about getting cast? Why wouldn’t she have reached out to me? And why had she decided to forgive him so damn easily?

Because Max could do no wrong. He wasn’t scarred or broken or fucked up. He got what he wanted, when he wanted, no matter what he did.

Life wasn’t fair. I’d never expected it. But I guess I’d hoped for higher expectations from Landon.

I smoked and calmed down. At least, I knew the game she was playing and I’d be prepared.

For my rules. Like I’d originally promised myself.

I made my way inside and immediately ran into Landon.

“Can we talk?”

I stared at her with hard eyes. Damn her for making my heart lurch in my chest. For making my dick hard and my soul long for something I’d never have. Dressed in a shimmery short skirt and barely there camisole, her body was a mouthwatering treat every guy in this club wished he could taste. Her stacked heels made her legs stretch forever, muscled calves and curved thighs on display. Lips painted in a dark pink, blue eyes filled with pleading, she crashed through all my walls and brought me to my knees.

I strengthened my resolve and spoke coldly. “Didn’t think we had anything left to talk about, princess. Unless you want to fuck?”

She jerked back, blinking. “Don’t be like that. I know I didn’t call but you didn’t either.” I refused to speak, holding her gaze. “Adam, please. We need to settle some things.”

I arched a brow. “Sure. Wanna talk in front of the group? I’m sure they won’t wonder what we’ve possibly got to say to one another. Oh, hey, I have an idea. Let’s bring Max into the discussion. Since he’s such a good friend.”

She let out a breath and practically stamped her foot with obvious irritation. “I am not back with Max and have no interest in him romantically,” she hissed. “Stop being an asshole. You need to listen to me.”

“Maybe I’ve listened to your lies enough. We’re good. See ya.”

I started to walk past her but she gave a feminine growl and grabbed my arm, pulling hard. The moment her fingers touched my skin, my body woke up with a roar, and suddenly, I was crazed to taste her; make her beg; force her to see I was the one and that she had always been meant for me. “I won’t let you walk away from this!” she said furiously, jumping in front of me. “You’re going to talk to me whether you like it or not.”