Page 98 of This Side of Beautiful

“Frankie and Janae just left for the store to grab a few more things for dinner,” he said.

I raised an eyebrow. “The store? Did she dress to blend in?”

Cedrick grinned. “Not at all. She wants all the love in Los Angeles.”

“Glad I’m not with her. Her fans are vicious, and it’s worse when we’re together.” I shook my head.

“How are you holding up?”

I shrugged. “Day by day.”

“The attention is only going to get worse once our album drops. Are you up for it?”

“Do I have a choice?” I quirked a brow.

“Naw, bro. Get used to it.” He smiled as he crossed his ankles.

“You seem happier now. You and Frankie a thing? Because I thought Janae just invited you over to eat dinner with us.”

“We’re not exclusive or anything. Trying her out for a while.”

I chuckled. “She’s not a car.”

“I see the impact Janae has on you, and my parents have been in the marriage game forever, still loving each other. Maybe it’s time for me to start getting serious, and Frankie is good people. She’s not caught up in fame and works hard for her brand. She likes her independence, and I like that about her.”

“I like her for you. She won’t take your crap.” I pushed his arm playfully.

“Just like Janae won’t take yours. She pushes you better than I ever did.” He gestured to my hair, which Janae had braided down again. “You used to wear the hat even in the house. You move around the stage more. You’re taking pictures and smiling more. Traveling on planes just because she asks.”

“I hadn’t really noticed…” I started strumming my guitar again to avoid more conversation about me.

“Some things are still the same,” he commented ruefully.

“What do you think about this chord sequence?” I asked.

Cedrick nodded. “I like it.”

“Not sure if it’s for me or Hollow.”

His forehead puckered slightly. “Going solo on us?”

“No, not sure this music fits Hollow. Besides, I can’t go on that stage by myself.”

“You’ve been on stage with just Janae.” She and I had performed “Fallen Star”at a late-night show in a small club in St. Louis.

“It wasn’t easy. I’m most comfortable with Hollow Bones.” I held my fist out. “I’m not going anywhere, Cedrick.”

He bumped my fist. “You’ve been soaring above us for a minute now, and I’m here to tell you it’s okay if you do. Whether you’re with us or on your own, we’re always your brothers.”

I hugged my guitar to my chest. “I’m not leaving the band, and even if Del pushes for me to go solo, it’s not going to happen.”

Cedrick nodded slowly. “And it’s okay if he does and you want to.”

“Why do you keep insisting? I told you how I feel.”

“You and Janae have been asked to open a special Grammy event in November. They had someone else in mind to do it, but they want you two now. Janae Warner, featuring Landon Hayes. Del told me first because he wanted to clarify that he wasn’t trying to break up the band and asked me to talk to you.”

“No,” I answered without thought, and started playing again.

---