Page 81 of This Side of Beautiful

“Stop trying to make me do something just to see if you can,” he shot back, then stalked off to the bathroom and locked the door.

I fumed until he finished his shower and walked out nude. No matter how many times I saw him, I still hadn’t gotten used to the way he looked, and some of my anger fizzled. He slid into bed without a word and pulled me against his warm, clean body.

Landon always smelled good, his scent comforting as I snuggled into his side. It was always better when it was just us. He carried himself tensely in the world, always on guard when there was no music to anchor him. But here, in his home, with me, he was at ease. He had once flinched at my touch, needing time to adjust, but now he sought it out, pulling me closer like he needed the contact.

We’d made progress. I didn’t want to ruin it with my temper.

“Now, what do you want to yell at me about?” he asked with a straight face. I still couldn’t tell when he was teasing me.

“We accomplished something great. Why is this the first time we’ve talked about it? We should’ve gotten together to celebrate. Had dinner or something. Or had a night of fun with everyone. I only stayed out late with Jeri and Frankie because you didn’t text or call me. Watching the guys communicate with Frankie and Jeri was frustrating, and I received nothing from you.”

Until that very moment, I hadn’t been able to articulate my troubling emotions. I’d thought my sadness was about the cover, and it partially was, but my hurt hit deeper. I’d assumed that since Landon had been my protector and my defender thus far, on the biggest moment of my life, he would be my supporter, too.

The rumble of his voice near my ear soothed my irritability. “So much happened. We were working on new music, and during a short break, we found out about hitting number one from Jeri when she went live with you at Junior’s. I looked for you, praying you were not overwhelmed, and I was happy to see that you weren’t.

“I was still shocked and in disbelief about our song. I was trying to process seeing you sing at the restaurant and the guys celebrating, and then Del sent me two pics as possible covers. He insisted I choose immediately and that we had to act fast. I didn’t like either one because it didn’t represent Hollow Bones. Del sent them to the rest of the band. The band disagreed and chose one of the photos we took. I didn’t like being forced to choose between the two and started working on the album again. Then Frankie called me about you. I promised the guys I would return as soon as possible, and I’ve been grinding in the studio ever since. We arethisclose to finishing the album.” Landon looked at me. “I wasn’t ignoring you… or at least not in the way you think.”

His heart beat steadily as he awaited my response.

“Can I see the choices?” I said, sighing.

He picked up his phone and showed me the two photos.

“What’s wrong with the two hats? It’s you and me.”

Landon nodded. “I did like that one better, too. Except it didn’t rep the group.”

“And this one does?”

“I feel like you do, but I was outnumbered.”

“Did you even bring up that I wasn’t a part of the picture of you?”

“You can tell it’s your hand because of the butterfly tattoo on your wrist.”

I tapped the pic of him. “My face, Landon. Why isn’t myfaceon the cover?”

His chest rose and fell. “Del chose the pics. Not me.”

“This is where I need you to defend me.”

“I didn’t choose either one.”

“You also said nothing is decided if the group doesn’t all agree.”

“You took the pictures, and this is a single not going on either of our albums. Why are you bothered?”

I waved my hands wildly around me. “I have a number one song, and my face isn’t on the cover? Does that make sense to you?”

“We’re not going to argue about this. Last night you said you were fine with it. It’s your voice, Janae. In the video, we see you more than anyone else. Let my photo stand. Please.”

“You’re not even comfortable with the picture.”

“So? You keep telling me to open up and be freer. This is how I’m doing it. End of discussion. I’m exhausted.”

I hit him with my pillow. “You won’t shut me up. The discussion is over when I say it is.”

He put his hands under his head and looked at the ceiling. “Talk.”

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