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

Chapter 45

forty-five

SEBASTIAN

H oly shit, the energy onstage is insane. The crowd's practically vibrating as Xavier and I do our thing. I glance over at my partner in crime, grinning like an idiot as he works the audience into a frenzy. This is it, big guy. All those nights burning the midnight oil in the studio are about to pay off big time.

I grab the mic, feeling like a rock star. "Y'all ready for something special? We've been teasing this track for weeks, but we can't play it alone. We need our girl to join us for this one. Everyone give it up for DJ Luna Sparks!"

The crowd erupts into cheers as the spotlight lights up the side stage as someone makes their way onstage. The boos coming from the audience should clue me in immediately, but my smile dies faster than my high school dreams of being a rapper. It's not Luna, it's Ruby. What in the name of all that is holy and unholy is she doing here? She's stumbling towards me, looking like she took all her makeup advice from a feral raccoon. Her eyes are bloodshot, and there's a suspicious white powder on her nose. Great, she's high as a kite. Just what we need.

The look of panic Xavier has sends me reeling as Ruby struts out like she owns the place, a smug smile on her face as she speaks directly into my microphone, making my heart sink. This definitely wasn't part of the plan. Where the fuck is Luna?

"I bet you weren't expecting me!" she says as the crowd's reaction dies down instantly. Xavier cuts the music. Ruby's eyes are wild as she hears the crowd's jeers and derogatory remarks as they all sit wondering what’s going on. I'd love to know, too.

Xavier’s voice booms from over my ear. “Where the fuck is Luna, Ruby?”

Her face turns into a cruel smirk as she replies. “Why do you actually care? It’s not as if you actually like being with that freak anyway, right? I know you boys have been wanting this, wanting me,” she says, running her hands up and down her body. She absolutely disgusts me.

Xavier's not playing. "I'm not going to ask you again. Where the fuck is she?" He's right up against my back now, and I can feel the fury radiating off him.

Ruby looks at me, silently begging for help. Sorry, sweetheart, you're barking up the wrong tree.

“Where is she, Ruby?” Her silence speaks volumes. Xavier gives me a small shove from behind, urging us offstage. As we make our way backstage, security brushes past us, grabbing Ruby by her elbows and escorting her off the stage behind us, microphone still in her hand. The sound of the crowd grows louder, their boos echoing in my ears as we walk away.

Panic begins to set in as Xavier and I search frantically backstage for Luna. My mind races with worst case scenarios. What if something has happened to her? What if Ruby has done something to hurt her? I can't bear the thought of losing Luna, not after everything we've been through together.

"Luna!" I call out desperately, my voice echoing through the empty hallways. "Luna, where are you?"

Xavier grabs my arm, his eyes wide with fear. "We need to find her, man. Something's not right."

We split up, each taking a different direction in our search. My heart pounds in my chest as I run through the maze of corridors, calling out her name. The seconds feel like hours as the panic continues to rise within me.

Just as the panic is ready to take over, I hear a commotion coming from a nearby hallway. I sprint towards the sound, my feet pounding against the concrete floor. As I turn the corner, I see Mac leading Luna out of the dark a few feet away. Relief floods through me at the sight of her, but it's short-lived as I take in her shaken appearance. She has been crying, and her lip is split, dried blood crusting around the edges. I rake my gaze down her body to land on her hands. Her beautiful hands are red and bruised. What the shit happened?

"You think you're so perfect, don't you, Luna?" Ruby sneers as she struggles against the guards' grip. "You’re nothing but a fat whore, and you’ll never be anything more."

Luna flinches at the venomous words, and I instinctively step in front of her, shielding her from Ruby's glare. "Enough, Ruby. This is low, even for you," I snap, my temper flaring.

“Low? You think this is low?” She laughs humorlessly. “You should’ve just stayed out of the way. If you had, you could’ve kept your perfect life. Your perfect little secret lover .”

I knew it. I always knew that she was behind the leak of our relationship, that stupid bitch. I open my mouth to let her have some, but a small voice from behind has me turning to see Luna. Standing tall, wiping all traces of tears from her eyes.

“Enough,” she states. “Enough.”