Page 8 of The B Side

And now, being honest about who she loved was an inconvenient circumstance.

Not that she hadn’t known that could happen; of course she had. But… maybe Darcy had rubbed off on her, because she’d naïvely hoped that with her and Darcy’s track records, with the sales numbers and the awards they could bring in, Golden Tide would be their next home. They didn’t have any out, queer artists signed with them, but they also hadn’t gone wide with supporting conservative policies, either.

Juliet hated being so wrong. Especially about something so important.

She snapped her head up, tossing her phone onto the table when the front door opened. Already anticipating Darcy’s presence.

Juliet had seen Darcy leave a little while ago, and had then seen the video, but she greedily dragged her eyes over Darcy, needing to catalogue every part of her. A feast for Juliet’s eyes.

She was wearing the same – stolen from Juliet – sweatshirt.

Her hair was still pulled back, but was definitely messier than it had been when she’d left.

Her face was bare of makeup, and her cheeks were flushed. Her eyes were big, and they were lit up. Energized and stressed in a way that made her movements a little jerky as she shut the door behind her.

There was a faint red mark along her cheek where the man’s camera had caught her before Darcy had pushed him.

Juliet’s anger flared even hotter.

Not at Darcy, but at herself.

At the entire world.

And most certainly at that paparazzi.

After a few beats, Darcy ducked her chin as she murmured, “So… you saw it.”

Juliet nodded, rolling her lips together. “I saw it.”

The sharp curve of Darcy’s jaw set tightly as she shook her head. She fiddled with the rings she wore in that classic-Darcy move before she said softly, “I didn’t mean to shove him. I didn’t – I didn’t think it was going to get to that point.”

Juliet nodded again. “I know.”

Darcy heaved a heavy breath, her shoulders tight. “He wouldn’t get away from me.”

“I know.”

“I told him. More than once.”

“I know that, too,” Juliet acknowledged, everything inside of her also drawn up tight. Her voice sounded a little strained.

Darcy slowly lifted her eyebrows in question. “Are you going to say anything other than that you know?” She gave Juliet a look in those big, green eyes. “I know you’re not feeling calm right now,” she pointed out. “Even though you’re trying to look calm.” Darcy tilted her head, looking closer. “In fact, I think you look like you’re pissed.”

She worked her jaw back and forth, reaching up to rub at her eyebrow again. Realizing belatedly that there was the beginning of a migraine. Perfect. Just what would take this day to the next level. “Piero from Golden Tide called when you were out. They canceled the meeting.”

Darcy’s mouth dropped open, the surprise and sympathy immediately etching into her expression. “Are you serious?”

Juliet rubbed harder at the ridge of her eyebrow. “I’m certainly not laughing, Thief.”

Darcy paused, glancing up at her hand, before her generous lips tugged into a frown. She grabbed Juliet’s free hand and tugged her along into the living room before she hurried to the bathroom and grabbed one of Juliet’s injections.

“Here,” she presented it to her. “Unless–”

Juliet took it from her, allowing her fingertips to brush softly over Darcy’s as she took it from her. “I’ve got it. But thank you.”

Darcy worried at her bottom lip, tracking Juliet’s every movement as she injected the medication. She’d never loved feeling like she was being watched when she felt vulnerable, but as with most things with Darcy, this was different.

She released a shaky exhale when it was over, dropping the pen to the table next to the couch. She anticipated that she’d need a lot of that medication in the coming weeks. Months?