Page 40 of This Side of Beautiful

I admired the home. “It doesn’t matter who was here before. This house is fire. I love that the streetcar is right there.” The clanging and screeching noise of one passing by punctuated my sentiment. “One of my favorite plays isA Streetcar Named Desire, which took place in this very city, and I’ve been dying to ride one. We are so catching it after we rehearse.”

Charles chuckled. “How old are you?”

I punched his shoulder as we climbed out of the SUV after the other group had already approached the front door. Cedrick had the code to enter. Landon hung back, grabbing his case as the rest of us burst into the home like siblings fighting to be the first through the door. The cameras captured our playfulness as we ran through the elegant mansion and around the small pool in the backyard. The Hollow Bones’ contract now allowed filming if it was related to music and their daily lives whenever I was with them, which would be often. We all would have some control over what could be released, since Del was the executive producer, and The Hollow Bones wouldn’t proceed otherwise.

We’d decided to stay together in New Orleans, since we hadn’t rehearsed the show yet. We planned to settle, unpack, and rehearse for the next four days. Our show was Friday night, and then on Saturday, we would load up on the tour bus and make the six-hour trek to Atlanta for a Sunday night show.

The men graciously allowed me the primary bedroom so I could have privacy. The band took the other five bedrooms, while the film crew, road crew, and my glam squad stayed at a quaint hotel within walking distance of the mansion. I laughed as the guys fought over every bedroom but the one farthest from all the others on the lower level. It appeared to be a given that it was for Landon.

Throughout our laughter and fun as a group, he walked around checking out each room. He smiled whenever we locked eyes, but he remained on the periphery as if looking at me through a window. His quiet didn’t disrupt the loud, fun vibe in the air. Landon simply remained himself. Self-contained and observant. Seemingly content to watch our excitement.

After everyone had settled their belongings in their respective rooms and the ladies and camera crew had retired to their nearby hotel, The Hollow Bones and I congregated in the living area. I sat on the wooden coffee table in the middle of the room and held my phone up. “I’m going to order groceries because I’m going to cook for you tomorrow after rehearsal. I need to know if you have any dietary restrictions.”

Santiago raised his hand. “Excuse me?”

Brian pushed his hand down. “Why your hand up?”

“Because Janae looks like the type I have to ask permission to speak… She’s bossy.”

I shook my head as the guys laughed in agreement. “That’s because y’all loud as hell. My voice too light for you to hear me unless I yell.” When Santiago raised his hand again with an impish smile, I rolled my eyes. “What?”

“You cook?” He sounded skeptical.

“Yes, I love to cook. It’s how I relax. Trust, you want me chill on this tour.” I opened up an empty note on my cell. “Tell me what you like to eat.”

Charles added, “We have food. Del made sure the pantry and refrigerator were stocked.”

I waved my hand. “Snacks and alcohol. You need real food.”

Landon leaned against the wall by the entrance of the living area. “This is New Orleans, with some of the best food in the world. We can go out or order in. Why do you want to bother with all that, especially after rehearsing? You’re going to be exhausted.”

Cedrick scoffed. “No offense, but I don’t eat everybody’s cooking.”

I crossed my arms. “Fine, when I prepare my gooey baked mac and cheese, fried catfish, hush puppies, and green bean casserole with a pound cake for dessert, don’t ask for a crumb.”

Brian raised his hand. “I never said I didn’t want to eat your food.”

“Then you and I will eat while the rest go find a restaurant,” I told him. ”Would you like me to make sweet tea or lemonade to go with your dinner?”

“Can you make both?” He steepled his hands together.

“Yes.” I had to choke back my laughter at the gaped mouths of the other men as I looked down at my phone. “I’ll make enough for me, Brian, the ladies, and my crew.”

“Now wait… wait,” Charles said. “I never said I didn’t want to eat your food. That was Ced, Landon, and Santi. Add me to your list. You’re from Houston and live in Los Angeles. I’m not doubting your culinary skills.”

Landon’s hazel eyes sparkled green in this light. “And I was just trying to look out for you. If you want to toil at a stove and cook us up some good food, who am I to stop you?”

His words struck a chord in my chest. I wanted to cook, to show my appreciation and to keep my mind occupied. As long as I was busy, I could fight the darkness and my sleeplessness. Then I could hide my struggles from them. I worried that this level of closeness might show all of the chinks in my tough-girl armor and my ugliness when all I wanted them, especially Landon, to see was my beauty.

“Whatever you cook, I’m eating.” Santiago hopped up and strode out of the room. “Got to make a call real quick. Need to let me fam know I’m here.”

Cedrick scowled. “I’m a vegan and can’t eat anything you’re preparing anyway.”

Brian nudged his shoulder. “Dude, you ate a burger at the airport.”

“Which is why I can’t eat anything else that’s not vegan.”

Everyone’s arms went up in exasperation like we were characters in an old Spike Lee movie. Cedrick ducked his head to hide his teasing smile. Yeah. He and I would be good by the time we finished this tour. I was already having more fun with them than during the years I toured before everything fell apart.

---