Unwritten (Woodlands 5)

He slams his hand against the wall. “And you’ve been hiding this the entire time?”

“That’s enough, Davis. Not here.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see Ian get to his feet.

He cocks his head. “Then let’s take it outside.”

“Fine.” This fight between Davis and me has been a long time in coming. He’s been pissed off at me ever since I turned the commercial down.

“Stop it, you guys.” Landry pops between us. “Rudd’s in surgery. You cannot be having a fistfight while your bandmate is fighting for his life.”

Davis and I ignore her. He brushes by her and I follow.

“Ian,” Landry hisses.

Ian stays in the corner with his baby and his wife. His silence is agreement. Davis and I need to have this out.

Davis slams the palm of his hand against the waiting room doors. Two more sets of doors and we’re out in the parking lot.

“I can’t believe you’re doing this,” Landry yells. “Seriously, you guys are both idiots.”

“You’ve been lying to me for a month. Tossing aside my ideas. Refusing to allow the band to move forward. You scared, bro? A real man would’ve told me.”

I clench my jaw. A direct hit. A real man would’ve told him. I’ve been hiding behind Landry’s skirts, but not anymore. “Fine. You want to know? Your sister and I are a couple. Deal with it.”

“Why don’t you deal with this.” He charges forward, driving his shoulder into my gut. I let him take me to the ground and give him one good shot at my face. Because every brother deserves that. But he only gets the one. I block his next blow and roll out from underneath him. Blood drips from the corner of my mouth.

“Nice shot.” I raise my hands. “Let’s see what else you got.”

“Would you two just fucking stop it! You’re making fools out of yourselves!” Landry yells.

Davis ignores her and charges at me like a bull. He gets in a good punch to my side because I’m expecting one in my face but I swing out of the way to avoid the uppercut headed for my chin.

“Would you two stop it!” Landry screams. “I beat Marrow and I swear to God, I’m taking a mic stand to your heads, too! This isn’t even about me. It’s about the music!”

Davis pauses, her accusation sinking in. She’s right. It’s not about her. It’s about Davis wanting more control of the band.

He jabs and I feint. I’m not going to hit him while his sister is watching, but I’m not about to get my face beat in because he wants more control. All my front men wanted to be in charge. They thought they knew best one hundred percent of the time.

“This is my band,” I say unwisely.

“Then you can sing your own songs, because I’m done.” Davis straightens. He turns to Landry. “I’m going home. You can come with me or stay with Adam.”

She gives an anguished cry. He’s a dick for making her choose, but I’m the asshole who put them both in that position.

“Fuck. Wait

.” I hold out a hand. “I’m sorry. Look, it’s been a while since I’ve had a band. I’ve been dicked over in the past, so I’m super protective of my shit. That’s wrong. I don’t want you to leave.”

I’m saying this stuff to Davis, but it’s meant for Landry, too. But she needs the words as well. “Don’t go, Landry. I love you, and I’ll be fucking miserable without you if you leave.”

Her face grows pale with shock and…is that horror?

“You…love me?” she stammers.

Fuck, is there a worse way for me to confess this? But it’d be stupid and lying to deny it. Besides, I don’t want to deny it, even if it loses me Davis. I raise my chin. Hit me with your best shot. “Yeah, I love you.”

She stares at me. “Since when?”

“Since…I don’t know. San Antiono.”