Page 89 of This Side of Beautiful

I did, squeezing Landon’s damp hand tighter as his breathing grew more erratic. His face was too pale, too red, too lost all at once.

Tears spilled freely down his cheeks, his body curling inward like he was trying to disappear inside himself. His lips moved, whispering over and over, “I’m… okay… I’ll be okay…” but his voice shook with a lie even he didn’t believe.

Cedrick’s voice dropped to something calm and steady. “It’s all good, man. Janae is here. I’m here. I need you to look at her.”

“I… can’t…” His chest spasmed with uneven gasps. His body trembled. “I can’t… I don’t want her to see me… like this…”

My heart cracked.

I cupped his face, forcing him to meet my eyes. “Look at me, Landon. I am not embarrassed by you. I am not leaving you. I love you.” My breath shook, but I inhaled deeply and exhaled so he could follow. “Breathe with me.”

Cedrick echoed, “Slow and steady, brother. You got this.”

Landon’s panicked, unfocused eyes flickered to mine.

I inhaled.

He tried.

I exhaled.

He staggered through it, a desperate, wheezing breath, but it was something.

I kissed his damp forehead, whispering against his skin, “Baby, we’re almost there. Just a few more minutes. You can play your new song for me, okay? You love playing for me.”

His fingers curled weakly around mine. He shivered violently. “I’m… so cold.”

I pulled him close, wrapping myself around him as if I could hold him together. “I’ve got you,” I murmured, my fingers threading through his damp curls, rocking him gently, willing my touch to quiet whatever storm was raging inside him. By the time we pulled up to the studio, the driver barely had time to park before Cedrick flung the door open and climbed inside.

His sharp gaze took in everything. The way Landon clung to me. The sweat-soaked shirt. The pale exhaustion painting his features.

And then, with a smirk that only Cedrick could pull off in a moment like this, he said, “Damn, dude. All this just to get Janae’s attention? You already got her, man.”

Landon’s body was still trembling, but his middle finger lifted weakly. “Fuck you.”

Cedrick grinned and placed a steady hand on his shoulder. “In and out, just like before. Breathe, bro.”

Landon’s chest rose.

Fell.

Rose.

Fell.

Still shaky. Still unsteady. But slowing.

I wiped his forehead with his jacket, pressing a kiss against his hand. His fingers were still clammy, but his grip was stronger now.

His breathing, finally, evened out.

His lashes fluttered open, the fear slowly retreating from his eyes. “I… want to go in the studio.”

Cedrick looked at me. “Why don’t you take him home? A shower, some rest—”

Landon shook his head. “I need my guitar.”

Cedrick sighed but nodded. “All right, man. Can you walk?”

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