Page 79 of This Side of Beautiful

“Did he call?” My voice shook.

Jeri hesitated. “They’re at the studio.”

I clenched my jaw. “I know where they are. I asked if he called.”

Frankie slammed her fist into her palm. “Keep talking to us like we’re nothing, and we’re getting out of this car.”

“Go right ahead,” I snapped. The moment the words left my lips, I hated them. God, why was I like this? I wanted to reach for her, to apologize, but I couldn’t seem to move.

Frankie exhaled sharply. “I swear I’m done with you. You almost got us killed because you don’t listen. You think money solves everything? Throwing your card at a manager to pay for the whole restaurant without asking for a receipt? You should be glad I made sure you got it back.” She tossed my credit card onto the seat next to me.

I swiped at my wet face. “That’s hilarious. I know money doesn’t solve anything. If it did, I wouldn’t be a mess.” My voice wobbled, but I pushed forward. “You’re not the first to be done with me. Probably not the last.”

Jeri put her hands up. “Please. Please stop shouting. We’re moving. It’s over. No one got hurt. Tonight was supposed to be a good night.”

Frankie crossed her arms and turned toward the window, shutting me out completely.

That did it. I curled into myself, my sobs breaking free. Somewhere between gasping breaths and bone-deep exhaustion, I sank into sleep, too drained to fight anymore.

A door creaked open, followed by the soft rustle of movement and a shift in the air. Warmth settled near me, familiar even through the haze of half-consciousness.

The cushion dipped beside me, and the scent of cedar surrounded me, steady and grounding. A low voice, calm and sure, cut through the fog.

“Nae, it’s okay.”

My breath caught, and without thinking, I curled toward the warmth before my eyes even opened.

Landon.

“My life jacket.” My voice broke, the tears threatening again.

Landon moved closer, wrapping his arms around me, his grip grounding me in a way nothing else ever could. “Always.”

I clung to him as we drove away, my heart still racing, my mind still spinning, but the storm inside me started to settle.

“How did you get here?” I whispered. “Where are we?”

“Frankie called me.” He rested his chin on my head. “She didn’t think you wanted the guys to know.”

She was right. I had been able to hide this for so long by pouring my energy into sex, rehearsals, performing, and cooking. But tonight, my mask had slipped.

Frankie and Jeri sat across from us. Frankie’s arms were still crossed, but her face had softened, just slightly.

I turned to her, voice raw. “I’m sorry. You were only looking out for me.”

She gave a small nod but said nothing.

Landon kissed the top of my head. “It’s all good. No one got hurt. No police trouble. The fans still love you.”

Jeri smirked. “She’s over here crying her eyes out with the number one record and a sexy man on her arm. Raise your head, you drama queen.”

A watery laugh slipped from my lips. “I deserve that.”

Jeri grinned. “Damn right you do.” She turned to Landon. “You better get used to the attention. Del needs to hire security for the rest of the tour. You just became the sexiest man alive.”

Landon frowned. “What happened?”

Jeri shoved her phone toward me. My breath caught. It was the photo. Landon. Shirtless. Sheets tangled around his waist. Eyes locked on me, dark and intense. My favorite shot of him.

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