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

Chapter 26

twenty-six

SEBASTIAN

“ M ac. What the actual fuck?” I scream into a voice memo before clicking send. Being on the road for a gig, especially alone, always makes it so hard to sleep. If I wasn’t awake at this ungodly hour, counting the minutes until my plane left, I wouldn’t be seeing the clips of Luna bouncing around on Craic’s stage, playing a set from two hours ago.

How could he not tell me? I fucking told him not even five days ago she’d been MIA. Knowing he probably won’t see my text, seeing as it’s 7 AM in Boston on a Sunday, I dial Xavier’s number.

“Hey, I?—”

“Luna was at Craic!” I burst out loudly, cutting off his greeting. His silence is so fucking loud.

“I must be jet-lagged. What the fuck did you just say to me?” His growl makes the hairs on my neck raise as a shiver makes its way directly to my dick.

“You heard me,” I say, my own voice changing to match his.

“How do you know this?” he asks.

“I was just doom scrolling, as I do, and there she was, bouncing around onstage. Posted two hours ago,” I answer, my exasperation leaking through.

“What the actual fuck, Mac?” That forces a laugh out of me. “What the fuck are you laughing at?”

“I just sent him a screamy voice memo saying the same thing. Oh, shit. He’s calling me.”

“Fucking put him on. I have a few words I’d like to say,” Xavier mutters as I go about adding Mac to our call.

“Well, good morning to you, Sebastian.” Mac says with a cheer in his voice that shouldn’t be there that early in the morning.

“Xavier’s here, too.”

“Oh, is he now? Well, how’s the land of the traitors treating you?”

“It’s London, Mac. What the fuck? Why was Luna at Craic? Why didn’t you tell us? How was she? Was her set good? How did she look? Did she ask about us?” Xavier’s questions speed up the more he asks.

“Take a breath, dude,” I tell him. “Mac, seriously though, what the fuck?”

“Which answer would you like first? I’m willing to answer most of those questions, but you only get three, so what’s your choice?”

“How is she?” we both blurt out at the same time. A small smile comes to my face. Glad we agree.

“Ah well, she’s had better nights, I’m sure. But that blue-haired lass has some fucking talent.”

“What happened?”

“You could’ve done me a favor and let me know your girl and Ruby Knight are sworn enemies,” he says, completely deadpan.

“Ruby was there?” Xavier asks.

“How the hell would we know?” I ask at the same time.

“Before I even get to that, you boys better prepare for another shitshow. Seems Ruby has it out to steal a little spotlight. She announced you were all working together. With a picture, onstage.” Mac pauses. “Your Luna darling saw it all.”

“Fuck!” I scream into my cell phone. “We are not working with her. God fucking damn it! Xavier, what are we going to do?” The silence that greets me just further enrages me. “Mac, please, what happened?” I ask, each word forcing its way through my clenched teeth.

“I think it’d be best if you asked your girl. Jesus, I’ve never known such chatterboxes in all my life.” His over dramatic sigh is cut off by a loud yawn. “Alright boys, you get one more question, then you can fuck off.” Mac’s voice is thick with sleep already.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Xavier says quickly.

“Oh, dear. That's a multi-part answer, mate. Ask me another.”

“Did she ask about us?” I whisper.

“Aye,” he responds immediately.

“That’s it? Aye?”

“I answered your question, did I not?” Mac says, voice impatient.

“Mac, come o—” Xavier begins.

“No, I answered your questions and now I’ll give you something. Fix it. The girl’s a gem. She’s back onstage Thursday. Good morning, boys.” And he’s gone. Leaving both Xavier and I sitting in complete silence.

“Go,” Xavier says quickly. “I won’t even be back in the country until late Thursday, early Friday.”

“What if she doesn’t want to see me?” The thought rushes out of my head so quickly I surprise myself.

“You heard Mac. We have to fix it. Start without me,” he says, his encouraging tone falling flat as the sadness comes through.

“You know it’s not like that,” I tell him earnestly. “I miss you.” His loud groan brings a smile to my face.

“I miss you, too. I miss you both. I need her, Bas. We do.”

“I’ll do what I can. I promise.”