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

Chapter 25

twenty-five

LUNA

I stand there, completely in shock. Immobile as the picture of Xavier and Ruby appears on the screen. Xavier holds her close face completely in the shadows. Her face is perfect on screen, high cheekbones with the perfect cat eye, looking up at him through her lashes. I try to look away, but I can’t, even when I catch a glimpse of the hand I cannot get out of my mind and the tattoos peeking out around the wrist.

“Come with me, darling.” A deep Irish lilt hits me as an enormous hand is extended from the dark. I grab it without thinking as I’m effectively moved deeper backstage. “Take a deep breath. Don’t react, just keep walking.” The hand on the middle of my back propels me forward through the crowd, but I hear a voice rise above it all.

“What did you think, Luna?” The words hit my back, Ruby’s nasal tone reaching my ears loud and clear. My body turns around to face her, but that steady hand on my back keeps me moving until a door is shut firmly behind us. The thunderous sounds of the club are now completely muffled. The contrast is jarring, like stepping from one world into another. The room is dimly lit, a far cry from the sensory overload I’ve just left behind.

As my eyes adjust, I take in the surroundings. The office is a curious blend of old world charm and modern luxury. Dark, richly polished wood paneling lines the walls, giving the space a warm, almost cozy feel despite its size. It's like being in some high-end Irish pub, transplanted right into the heart of Vegas.

“As you were,” the monstrosity of a man says as he hastens through the room to sit behind the desk. His long black hair is pulled tightly back into a bun, gray eyes looking amused as he stares at me. Finally getting a good glimpse of the stranger who helped me, my brain finally puts the pieces together. A little older than I remember seeing, but Brian McCarthy had aged like fine wine.

“Oh, darling, let it out before you explode.” His big fist slams on the desk as he laughs in earnest.

“That fucking bitch! God, I want to punch her in the throat,” I whisper quickly. “Who the fuck does she think she is?” I scream into the small room. A supreme noise of annoyance pours from my chest as my feet move me from door to desk rapidly, pacing the small area, words pouring out of me as quickly as I can get them out.

“Hasn’t she taken enough? When will it be enough? Did I ever say anything? No. Did I walk away and eat my pride? Yes. So what the fuck?” My chest is heaving, hands flying around as I speak. The fire in my blood keeps me moving until I scream one last time and damn it, I even stomp my fucking foot. The sound of a slow clap snaps me back to reality as I see Mac’s gray eyes full of mirth.

“Well, now. Feel better?” he asks. The breath I didn’t know I was holding releases quickly from my chest.

“Actually, yeah. How’d you do that?” I ask, genuinely wondering.

“You learn such things in life. When a woman needs to scream, let her. I figured I could let you fight her or I could get you as far away as possible,” he says wistfully.

“Well, I appreciate the assist. I probably would’ve—well, I’d like to say kick her ass. In reality, I’d probably either start crying immediately or yell at her until I started crying. That’s how I roll,” I say with a wink, shooting him a pair of finger guns. Jesus take the wheel. I watch amusement cover his face.

“You’re a rare one,” he says.

“Thanks? I think?” I say, laughing as I release some of the tension between my shoulders.

“Aye, you’re welcome. Is there a reason Blondie out there is aiming for your jugular?” he asks, and that tension immediately returns to my shoulders as I release his eye contact.

“Because she’s a bitch,” I force out with a smile. His laugh fills the small room.

“That she is. That didn’t answer my question.”

“I honestly don’t know. One day we were best friends. We were sup—” I stop myself before revealing the secrets that have lived in me for so long. “We just weren’t anymore. I don’t know what happened, but what she’s done is unforgivable,” I say, raising my hands as if it doesn’t matter, but it really does.

“She won. She got what she wanted. I just don’t know what more she wants from me.”

“She wants your men. There’s no doubt about it.”

“They aren’t my men,” I say testily. I wanted them to be, but they did nothing, and I already left. It’s not like we’re meant to be or whatever. I shouldn’t even be mad they did nothing against the hateful comments and articles written about our “would be” romance. They didn’t owe me anything. Fucking Dahlia. I would skin her alive if I could. She’s the one that had nicknamed them the “Double Team Dream.” It just made tonight that much worse.

“Ah, well, we can disagree. You know the picture was staged, right?” he asks casually, as if I was just supposed to know that.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” I pace all over again, wearing the already thin carpet down even more as I move back and forth.

“I was there when it was taken, and your boys were not entertaining her affections, understand?”

“What did they have to say about that situation?” I ask him, feeling confusion radiating from my body.

“Well now, that’s a discussion for you to have with them. Don’t you think, lass?” His response is quick, no room for bullshitting. He’d given me all he was going to.

“Why do you care what I think about that picture, Mac? What’s in for you?”

“I know what it’s like to be apart from the ones you love because of the media. My boys don’t deserve that,” he says simply but softly. I stop my pacing and let myself think about it. I finally let the first question about them in over four weeks cross my lips.

“They were here a few days ago, right?” His smile is wide and quick.

“Aye, they were,” he responds.

“How were they?” I asked, feeling damned embarrassed. I know I have no right to ask him. Considering I’m the one who disappeared, but God, I missed them.

“Well, darling, they’re gutted. Played a suitable set, but their hearts weren’t in it.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think you should ask them that yourself, darling. Don’t you?” He moves to stand up from behind his desk, laying gigantic hands flat on the table, looking at me with a challenge in his eye.

“Now, are you going to be alright to go out there? Please say yes. Blondie out there has killed my crowd. Think you can fix it?” Mac asks me with a smug smile. I put my hands on the desk across from him, leaning in.

“You bet your fine Irish ass I can.”