Love in the Mix (Love in the Mix #1)

Chapter 23

twenty-three

RUBY

M y fingers fly across the keyboard, a vicious smile playing on my lips as I compose an email to my new favorite blogger and self-appointed “best friend.” How quaint.

“Dahlia, bestie!” I purr as I type. “You’ve been so amazing! I so appreciate your efforts in helping me protect my music and everything I’ve worked so hard for. Having your support and influence means the world. I’ll have more tea for you soon! Count the clicks, darling!”

Convincing her that Luna was the real villain was easier that I ever imagined. One little crying session was all it took for my new friend to adopt my cause, posting that first article mere hours after the clips began going viral. She wanted to take Luna down just as bad as I did. Finally , someone who understands me.

“These pictures are pure gold,” I cackle gleefully, clicking through all the photos of Sebastian, Xavier, and myself with a fierce satisfaction. My finger clicks the arrow key like it’s on a speed mission, the incessant noise of my fake nails hitting the keyboard. I can practically taste the views that this will receive.

I linger on one photo in particular—Xavier’s strong hand gripping mine as it possessively rests right on his chest. His smoldering gaze locked on mine, desire evident. It really looks as if he’s pulling me in closer. Sebastian’s hand on his shoulder, connecting the three of us, was really just the cherry on top. We all look intimate. Like lovers.

Of course, the next shot shows him forcefully removing my hand, desire turned to ice cold rage. That picture will never see the light of day, but this one? They say a picture says a thousand words, and this one screams I’ve won . That I can and will take everything away from Luna, no matter where or when. It’s mine.

I can almost hear my parents’ voices now. “Look at our Ruby,” they’d say, pride finally evident in their tones. “She’s not just a pretty face after all.” The thought sends a thrill through me. Finally, I’ll prove to them that I’m worth something, that I can achieve just as much as their precious Luna.

Dylan’s heavy mouth-breathing invades my ears as he lumbers up behind me. Gross . He’s always there, lurking. My new pathetic leech now that Luna is gone. He’s outworn his usefulness. He was my key in getting Celestial away from Luna’s computer, and then when he graciously gifted me the ten thousand from “their” bank account. How could I resist? I can’t help that he just loves me.

“Ruby, don't you think you've taken this too far? Haven’t you done enough to Luna?” he whines, his voice grating against my last nerve. Rage ignites in my veins. How dare he question me?

“NO! SHE DOESN’T DESERVE ANYTHING!” I scream directly at him. I shove my chair back violently, sending it crashing into Dylan. He stumbles back, falling on his pathetic ass. He stares up at me, eyes wide with fear, cowering like the spineless worm he is.

I creep towards him, my heels clicking menacingly on the hardwood floor. Towering over him, I jab a bloodred nail in his face, chest heaving with barely contained rage.

“Listen up, you brainless ballsack,” I hiss, my voice dripping with venom. “You’re nothing more than a pawn in this game. A means to an end, and that end is Luna’s utter ruination.”

I lean in closer, my nail digging into the soft flesh under his chin. "I've worked too hard, sacrificed too much, to let that bitch steal what's rightfully mine. She's had everything handed to her on a silver platter—my parent’s love, respect, admiration. Well, not anymore. And now, thanks to these photos, I'm going to take great pleasure in watching her whole world crumble. Again." I stand up and over him again. “So I suggest you shut your mouth and do as you're told. Because if you fuck this up for me..."

I let the threat hang heavy in the air, my eyes blazing with malice. Dylan swallow is audible, and he nods his head so fast I’m surprised it doesn’t fall off his shoulders.

Satisfied that my message has been received, I spin on my heels and storm out of the room, slamming the door with enough force to rattle the walls. Luna's time is up. I've already taken her career, her money, her man. Now, I'm going to take her dignity, her hope, whatever else I can get my hands on. And when I'm done, this time, she won’t ever make a comeback.