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

Chapter 44

forty-four

LUNA

M y heart's going a mile a minute, a crazy cocktail of excitement and nerves. I can't stop pacing backstage at Craic, the dim lights doing nothing to calm me down. The crowd's buzzing just beyond the stage, and it takes me right back to that first time I played with the guys. We decided they'd start without me, so here I am, a bundle of nerves, waiting for my cue.

Out of nowhere, someone grabs my arm and spins me around. I'm face to face with Dylan, and holy shit, his eyes are wild. There's something off about him, a kind of panic I've never seen before.

"Luna, we gotta talk," he says, barely audible over the pounding bass.

I frown, annoyed as hell. “Dylan, what the fuck? I'm about to go onstage. I don’t have time for whatever bullshit you have right now.”

"This can't wait," he insists, his grip tightening. Before I can tell him where to shove it, he's dragging me away from the stage. I stumble after him, trying to break free, but damn, when did he get so strong?

"Let go, asshole!" I yell, my voice rising. "What's your deal? Stop!" I finally wrench my arm free, my skin stinging where he held me.

Dylan lets out this bitter laugh that sends chills down my spine. He grabs me again, harder this time. I try to scream, but nothing comes out. Next thing I know, he's shoving me into some room I've never seen before. It reeks of cleaning chemicals, and the single bulb barely lights the place.

"You really don't get it, do you?” he hisses.

"Get what, you psycho?" I spit back. "What the actual fuck is wrong with you?"

"Ruby will never love me, and it's all your fault."

I can't help but laugh. "How is that remotely my problem? Also, why should I give a shit?"

"It's all you!" Dylan snaps, his voice rising. "You're always there, Luna! You're all she talks about, all she compares herself to. She's so obsessed with beating you that she can't see anything else. Including me."

The laugh that comes out of me is harsh, even to my own ears. "You knew exactly what she was when you decided to fuck her. Wasn't it you who told me she was using me, that she was a shitty friend? Fuck you, Dylan. I don't give a rat's ass about either of you anymore. I've moved on. Now get out of my way!"

I try to push past him, only to walk into the backhand that sends me stumbling backwards. The taste of blood fills my mouth. I touch my lip, feeling it already starting to swell.

"You're gonna regret that," I growl, my voice low and dangerous. "Let me out. Now."

The look on his face quickly turns to panic, realizing what he’s done. He moves quickly to the door, opening it. His glances back over his shoulder once before turning off the lights and slamming the door shut. I rush to grab the door handle, pulling it harshly. The door doesn’t move, but I can hear Dylan’s voice.

“It didn’t have to be like this, if you would’ve just listened.” His voice trails off, his feet shuffling away from the door as he leaves me there.

"Fuck you! Let me out, you coward! Help!" I scream, pounding on the door until my fists hurt. As the music swells and the crowd roars, I realize the show's starting without me. They've taken everything from me. Again.

I keep screaming and pounding, praying someone will hear me over the music. But as the bass thrums through the walls, I wonder if anyone will find me before it's too late.