Page 106 of This Side of Beautiful

I didn’t smile and looked back toward Janae, who’d turned away and was talking to Jeri and Frankie.

“Antwon.” The man held his hand out, and I emptied my glass, ignoring him. Embarrassed, he dropped his arm and tried again. “Thank you for everything. Del told us you and Janae arranged for the trip. First class all the way. Your concert was the best I’ve ever been to.”

I nodded. I wouldn’t be polite or friendly until Janae told me what had happened between her and her mother and this man.

“Call Janae over here,” Ebony demanded with a tight smile. “I’ve been trying to track her down all night, but she’s always busy with this person or that. She needs to speak to her mother.”

“Janae doesn’t need to do anything. You upset her, and I can’t let you mess up her night any more.”

“Whatever she told you is a lie.”

I calmly replied, “She didn’t tell me anything. She’s never told me anything about you. Janae cares about family, and I insisted you be here tonight for her sake. I should’ve realized there was a reason she didn’t want you around.”

An observant Del passed nearby, and I called his name. He approached the table solemnly. “You need anything?”

“Yes. I need you to escort these two out of here. If they don’t make a scene, they can keep their first-class tickets home and their nice suite. If they make a scene, they’ll have to figure out where to stay and how to get home. After you escort them out, stop back here, please.”

Del nodded and addressed the couple. “Come this way. Our driver can take you anywhere you want.”

Ebony looked in Janae’s direction as if she were about to ask for help, but Janae had moved somewhere out of sight in the large club. Antwon urged Ebony out of the place, angrily whispering something to her. I cracked my neck to release the tension as I watched them leave. I was wound up like a jack-in-a-box, ready to pop, and we still had cake and the champagne toast to end our tour.

When Del returned to my table, I said, “I’m ready to leave. Can we go ahead and cut the cake?”

He studied my face. “Are you okay? I don’t think Janae’s mother will cause any more problems.”

I rubbed my guitar pick in my pocket. “Do you really care if I’m okay or not?”

Del eased into the chair opposite me. “Don’t accuse me of not caring about you. The band hired me to manage its business side, and that’s what I do. I think I’ve done a good job. It’s not just you, as you keep reminding me.” He opened his arms wide. “This is your night, and you’re sitting here brooding. No one is coming over here because we can feel your vibe. You don’t want to be bothered because you don’t like these parties, but can you at least pretend to enjoy this one for your brothers?”

I snorted. “I’m upset with some of my brothers and finding it hard to fake it.”

“What happened?”

“I’d rather not go into it. I can smile for the cameras. Can you just get everyone together?”

Del tightened his jaw and walked away.

Within ten minutes, we were all gathered by a massive red, black, and white cake. Janae stood beside me, and I held a possessive hand on her lower back. She was mine for now, and I would play my role. I smiled and laughed as I listened to the toasts of my friends and crew.

When it was Janae’s turn, she looked at me. “I first want to thank Landon. He’s been a trooper this whole tour, doing whatever we needed him to do when all he wants to do is play that guitar.” Everyone cheered. “I love you to absolute pieces and don’t know how I would’ve made it through these last few weeks without you.” She stood on tiptoe and angled her face toward mine.

I pressed my lips against hers and whispered, “Love you more.”

Janae smiled at me, her eyes tearing with relief. She turned back to the group and thanked some other people. I had no idea what else was said because the gnawing started impeding my hearing and vision. I declined the cake and champagne.

I kissed her forehead as the toast ended. “Enjoy. I need to go. See you at your place.”

She tugged on the bottom of my shirt. “What happened with my mother?”

“I got rid of her. I won’t let anyone hurt you as long as I’m around.”

“Thank you, baby. I’m glad you got the hint that I didn’t want to see her. I planned to avoid her all night. I’ll tell you later what happened between her and me.” Janae hugged me. “I love you so much. If you go to sleep, I’m waking you up once I get home.”

“I’ll be up,” I promised. I caught a glimpse of Cedrick walking toward the restroom. “I need to use the bathroom and then I’m out.”

Janae walked in the opposite direction as I headed toward him. When I walked in, I checked the stalls from the door. No one was in there except Cedrick and me.

“What did you give Janae so she could perform?”

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