Page 13 of Covet (The Red #3)

Chapter Thirteen

Elle

Listen to Relationships

by Haim

I sat in our usual booth at the diner and forked up a hefty piece of pancake drenched in syrup.

Gabby sat across from me nibling on mozzarella sticks.

I always craved breakfast after a night of drinking, and she went straight for the fried finger foods.

A pang hit me when I saw the empty spot where Landon should be.

I missed her. It was weird to navigate all this drama with Coop without her feedback.

“Tell me what he did,” Gabby demanded, tapping her red fingernail against the water glass.

I let out a groan. “It’s what he didn’t do that pissed me off. Seems that Max came to him and pitched opening a gym as his business partner.”

Gabby widened her eyes. “Seriously? Okay, but Coop is all into the photography thing, right?”

“That’s what I thought! But suddenly he’s telling me he’s sick of chasing jobs, and he wants to do this.

I know he works out obsessively but opening a business in Manhattan is no joke.

Especially a gym. He can lose all his money and waste years of his life on the wrong path.

He can’t book photography jobs when he’s all in with a new business.

” I took another bite and hoped the sweetness would calm my nerves.

I was still buzzed from the liquor and my foray into voyeurism in the back alley.

Even the thought of someone seeing me fuck Coop bumped shivers down my spine. But again, great sex doesn’t make the rest of the crap go away.

“I get it. That’s a big change and it will affect your relationship.” She delicately swiped a fried stick into marinara and nibbled at the edge. “Did he really tell you all this shit tonight?”

I nodded. “After we had sex.”

Gabby burst out laughing but I knew it was in shock. “What? I hope he gave you an orgasm first.”

I grinned. “He did. But then he just drops this announcement on me and basically says he’s decided to do it.

We were talking about moving in together, Gabs.

Yet, he can’t even tell me he’s partnering with a guy I don’t trust. What type of communication do we have here? I mean, what the hell are we doing?”

Sympathy flashed in her green eyes. “I’m sorry, babe. He should’ve sat you down and asked for your opinion. I mean, it’s still his life and decision, but including you would’ve helped.”

I stared at my lukewarm coffee glumly. “Yeah. Things have been crumbling since Landon left. It’s like we’re going on two different paths.”

“Do you want to break up with him?”

I jerked my head up. “No! I love him. We have this history and I feel like we’re going through a rough patch. We probably need to push through and it’ll be better on the other side. At least, that’s what I hope.”

“You need to let him know not sharing stuff hurts you. I’m sure he was afraid to tell you because you still hate Max.”

“Maybe.”

“I slapped his face tonight.”

I choked on my next bite of pancake, which only cracked her up. Swiping the napkin across my sticky lips, I stared at her in shock. “You did not.”

Smugness crept into her tone. “I did. He tried to kiss me.”

“What an asshole! See, this is why I don’t trust him. I cannot believe he’d try to hook up with you after he’s still crying over Adam and Landon’s so-called betrayal. He told Coop he would’ve never done anything to break up the group.”

Gabby gave a half shrug and finished the mozzarella stick. “Max doesn’t know what he wants. We were both drinking and getting flirty, but once he laid his hands on me, I slapped him down. Literally.”

“Oh, my God, I’m so mad I didn’t see it! What did he do? What did he say?”

“I think he was in shock. I left before he could apologize. I think Coop saw so he may mention it.”

I shook my head. “Good for you, Gabs. He needs someone to take him down a few notches. See, I just don’t see him being good for Coop, especially with business.”

“I get it. But maybe Max needs something he really loves. He may end up surprising us all. Who knows?”

My jaw unhinged. “You are not defending him, are you?”

A sly smile curved her lips. “Wouldn’t it be fun to see if he could actually change?”

I rolled my eyes. “Good luck waiting for that. Max has always been entitled and way too arrogant about his value. God, I’m sorry. Am I being a bitch? I hate the way I’ve acted lately.”

Gabby reached out and squeezed my hand the way Landon used to do. “No, there’s just a lot of changes going on. Giving up your dream of acting is a big deal, too. How’s it going with the music? What’s the plan?”

I smiled gratefully at her support. “I met Noah this week and we’re cutting an album. JJ reached out and arranged an opportunity for us to begin recording.”

Gabby squealed. “That’s sick! I knew this would happen. When I heard you sing for Unison, I had a feeling this could be your big shot. Are you and Noah doing the whole album together?”

I nodded. “We’re both sketching out ideas for song lyrics, and he’s been working on the music. He’s really talented.”

“So are you. With his exposure as a DJ and you as an actress? That’s a powerful combo. You may give Unison a run for their money.”

I laughed. “Not looking to compete. But I promised myself I’d go all in. Noah deserves that from me.”

“How does Daisy feel about it?”

I cocked my head. “She seems super supportive when I asked Noah. I swear, she’s an angel. They never fight, or seem to have issues. I’m calling them relationship goals.”

A strange expression flickered across her face. “Yeah, but too much perfection can be hiding shit. It’s good to fight now and then because you’re showing up in all the mess. I wonder sometimes if they’re really vulnerable with one another. You know?”

“Damn, Gabs. That’s deep. Too deep when I’m still tipsy.”

She threw back her head and laughed. “You’re right, forget it. They’re probably banging after a successful night. But I bet Daisy will feel guilty she didn’t come to the diner with us.”

“I didn’t want to mess up her night with Noah.”

“Agreed. We’ll catch her up later on the gossip. You okay to go home? Wanna crash at my place?”

Immediately, I was overcome with gratitude. Gabby had really stepped in to help soothe the break with Landon. “Thanks, but I wanna sleep in my own bed.”

“With Coop?” she teased.

I wrinkled my nose. “Hell, no. But I agree we need to have a serious talk. When I’m sober.”

We chatted about some random stuff, paid the bill, and I took an Uber home.

I was surprised I had no missed texts or calls from Coop, but figured he was giving me time to cool off.

Probably, he was hanging with Max and bashing me.

I also bet Noah was being all sweet to Daisy and they were cuddled up in bed, talking and sharing, the way I always thought Coop and I would be.

Whatever.

I’d try to fix things in the morning. I wasn’t ready to call it quits with Coop.

Especially since he was the only man I felt comfortable sharing my dark fantasy stuff with.

I couldn’t imagine confiding in a new guy about all the stuff I wanted to do without actually asking for it.

Coop seemed to sense what edges to push with me.

I drifted off to sleep, caught between images of fucking Coop while a crowd watched, and the deep, soulful stares from a man who wanted to claim my soul.

Like Noah.