Chapter 15
Rio
I open my eyes to tiny slivers of light filtering through the blinds.
I sit up in bed, confused. The warm pink walls with the emerald accents are a stark difference from the dark-blues in my bedroom.
The feminine furniture, the massive mirror in the corner, the vanity desk with the corkboard behind it.
In her soft sheets, I’m surrounded by a scent I would know anywhere.
Luna’s perfume. Luna’s room. Luna’s panties—the ones that got me so turned on it took me forever to go to sleep— lying near my face.
No, it wasn’t her panties. It was the way she took them off and handed them to me.
Then got dressed and walked out. I had to take a cold shower for my body to settle.
She teased me. She held me. She lodged herself so deep in my chest. I can’t repay her.
Then I hear her clearly. I’m falling in love with you.
And my heart speeds up because I’m crazy about her. I don’t know when it happened.
The whispers reach me. I hop off the bed and get dressed. I need to head out soon, but maybe I can take her and her mom for breakfast. It’s the least I can do. I step out of her bedroom and into the living room. Her mom, in the same robe as last night, settles something on the table.
“Buenos dias,” I say.
Her eyes are on my face. “Buenos dias. How did you sleep?”
I smile. “Very well. Luna’s bed is comfortable. Thank you for letting me stay.”
It’s her turn to smile. “Sit down. I have breakfast ready.”
I look around, and she seems to read my mind.
“Luna will be right out. You need to eat so you can sing and dance tonight.”
I look down at the breakfast and blink. She has the Dominican tres golpes: mangú with eggs, cheese, and salchichon.
“Wow. I haven’t had this in…” I trail off because I remember the exact time. Sick as she was, my mom had still insisted on cooking for me. Love surges through my chest. “This was one of the last things mi mamá made for me. She loved to feed me.”
“It’s how we show love to our kids. Nothing makes you feel better than a good meal.”
I chuckle. “When I was with her, I would always have to work out twice as hard.”
“That’s why weight loss in this house is impossible,” Luna says, stepping into the room.
She’s wearing a white tank top tucked into jeans. My eyes feast on all of her — bare face, curves, and thick, bouncy curls. She’s breathtaking.
“You don’t need to lose an ounce. You’re perfect.”
A grin brightens her face, and she takes the chair next to me. Her mom hands her coffee.
“You’re not eating?”
“I don’t eat this early.” She places her hand over mine. “How are you doing?”
She’s watching me as if she’s searching my face for something.
“I’m good. Thanks for sharing your bed.”
The twinkle in her eyes brightens.
“I’m going to get dressed. I have to go to work. Luna, make sure he eats everything. He’ll need his strength tonight.” Her mom heads to the bedroom.
“She’s amazing.”
“She is. But you’re watching my mom like you want to be my dad.”
I let my gaze linger over her. “I’m grateful she let me stay. For her kindness. But no, I want to be your daddy no tu papá.”
Her cheeks redden.
“I made my negrita blush.”
“It happens sometimes.” She fans her face. “I walked right into that one.”
I lean closer. “I’m going to pay you back for last night. I’m going to make you scream and cream.”
She leans in, her eyes never leaving my mouth. I grab a piece of fried salchichon from my plate and place it in front of her lips. She opens her mouth and bites a piece, brushing her lips against my fingers.
“Malvada.”
But I kiss the grease smeared on her bottom lip.
“Luna, your phone is ringing off the hook. It’s Maeven.” Her mom calls out.
I manage to sit back before she comes out and hands Luna the phone. “The warden of Rikers calls.”
Luna laughs and picks it up. “It’s FaceTime.”
Maeven’s voice rings out, “Hey, I don’t blame you for not picking up the phone. I’m so sorry this happened, and I’m looking into it.”
My ears immediately perk up.
“What do you mean?” Luna asks her. “I left my phone in Mami’s room, and I haven’t been on it today.”
“Oh God. You don’t know.” Her voice is rushed.
“There’s no way to sugarcoat this. It’s everywhere, and the video is getting released shortly.
Rio was apparently out with Adina last night and went to her place.
I don’t know the details, but he’s not answering my calls.
And Tito won’t tell me where he is. If this is all true, I’m going to tear him a new asshole before he goes onstage today and he’s going to crawl through every single set. I’m just so pissed—”
“Maeven,” Luna says, pressing her lips.
“What?”
Luna turns her phone to face me.
I wave. “Hi, boss.”
“You’re with Luna.” I’m not sure if it’s a question or a statement. Her slacked jaw is almost comical.
“Been here since last night.”
The flush on her face is priceless. “Oh.” But in true Maeven fashion, she recovers fast. “At what time did you get there?”
“Is that mangú on his plate?” Esme’s voice booms in the background. “He’s living the J Cole song. Breakfast after sex is like a reward—”
“He slept in Luna’s room, and she slept in my room,” her mom yells, stepping back into the room, now dressed in black slacks and a cream blouse.
“Yeah. It was all respectful,” I say. “So what the hell is happening?”
“Seems like our good friends, the Belmonts, are playing games. Supposedly, there’s a video of you taken in Adina’s living room.
” Her gaze narrows. “Bethany can go play the lotto, but she can’t play me.
Luna, take the phone to your room. Rio, come along.
I was going to save this for later, but I won’t have people thinking you’re a cheater. ”
Luna does as she says, and I follow. She turns the camera around to show her.
“Got it. Rio, when you’re exhausted, what position do you sleep in?”
“On my belly, arms down.”
“Take off your shirt and get into bed in that position. Luna, I want you to take an angled selfie at your desk, and I want you to get his arm and face. I don’t want Rio to be the focus.
I want him to be in the background, discreetly but visible.
We may have to move the desk. Wait, no. How about if you take one and get the mirror and have him reflected there? ”
Luna angles the phone up. “It works.”
“Okay,” Maeven says. “I’m hanging up so you can take the photos and send them to me. Take a few photos. Don't jump on social media if you haven’t already today. I’ll call you back after examining the photos.”
“Lie down.” Luna waves me down. “I’m going to do a burst and maybe a little video.”
Before I do as she says, but, a little idea comes to me, and I grab her panties and put them right next to my face.
When she’s done, I get up and throw my shirt back on while Luna steps out of the room when her mom calls. I shove her underwear under the pillow as her mom comes knocking on the door.
“I’m leaving for work. But I wanted to give you something.” She’s staring at her hands, not directly at me.
Maybe she wants to tell me to slow down with Luna or stay away from her. Maybe she thinks I’m too much of an issue. “Okay.”
She takes my hand and places a chain with a medal in my palm. “This is Our Lady of Mercy. She will take care of you tonight. I’m going to be praying for you.”
A surge of my emotions rushes up my chest, clogging my throat. I barely manage to say, “Thank you.”
“I…I also wanted to ask if I can darte mi bendicion before I go.”
She wants to give me her blessing.
If she sucker punched me, it wouldn’t have doubled me over like this does. My face tingles, and my heart quickens. Because the only thing I want as much as I want Luna’s mom’s blessing…is her daughter.
“I nod.”
She hugs me, gives me her blessing, and is gone before I can catch my breath.
I look up at the ceiling. “Thank you, Mami. I know you did this.” And I crash onto the bed until Luna walks in.
“What was that about?”
I show her the chain in my palm.
She smiles. “It’s her medal. She doesn’t go anywhere without it.”
“And she gave it to me.”
“She must think you need it. You want me to put it on you?”
I bob my head up and down, not trusting my words.
She places it around my neck. I turn to her, the words—how much she and her mom mean to me—inching to the surface but her phone rings.
“I love when people know how to follow directions,” Maeven says on speaker. “These are perfect. And the video too. Btw, gorgeous mirror.”
“It was a birthday gift from Bethany Belmont,” Luna tells her.
Esme cackles in the background.
Maeven smiles like the Cheshire cat. “Oh, we are going full-on petty mode with the video. Luna, post it with the caption, getting a little work in before heading out to our concert. By the way, Tito is on the way to pick you both up. He’s going to come upstairs to get you.
Two girls are going live right now, in your building, Luna since they saw you both going in last night.
If they engage, acknowledge them. I have to hop in an interview with The Lowdown Lounge.
They’re going to ask me about the video circulating. Good job, you two.”
She hangs up.
“Shit, she gave me a compliment.”
We move to the living room. Luna is posting, and I turn on the TV, browsing until I find Maeven’s interview.
“Speaking of learning how to handle clients, tonight is Rio’s opening concert to kick off the tour next week. But it seems like your boy can’t escape controversy.”
She smiles. “Whatever do you mean?”
“Come on, Maeven. He can’t stay away from Adina Belmont while being seen out and about with her former friend, Luna.”
“That’s ridiculous. Rio hasn’t been around Adina.”
“Tell it to the footage,” the host says, and he plays a video shot through a window of Adina with a man as they’re touching each other.
Luna laughs beside me. “He looks nothing like you.”
“Is that the video you’re talking about?” Maeven laughs too. “Anyone could see that’s not Rio.”
“Looks a lot like—” He presses the earbud. “Well, apparently, you’re right. He just looks so much like Rio and with their history…but it seems like Adina Belmont is hanging out with the Temu version.”
“Stop,” Maeven admonishes him. “I, for one, am happy to see Adina move on. The relationship with Thierry seemed to be taking a toll on her. I’m glad she valued herself enough to know it wasn’t working.
I think last night was all about her and had nothing to do with anyone else. And listen, I’m here for girl power.”
“She used to date Rio, didn’t she?”
Luna stiffens next to me.
“She did not. Rio was never after Adina. If anything, Rio has his sights set on the sky.”
The host chuckles. “I see what you did there. What can we expect to see from him tonight?”
She smiles at him. “Calor, sazón y perreo. The Rio the world has been missing.”
I switch off the TV.
“She did really good,” I say.
Luna nods. “She’s a bad bitch. Always.”
“I was never interested in Adina. I think it was all a bad misunderstanding.” But she doesn’t look at me.
She nods, peering up at me. “I believe you. You’re not a liar.”
I shake my head. “I wasn’t even paying attention to her. She’s not my type anyway.”
“What is your type?”
“Morenita, with the kindest and warmest heart, great boobs, and a break-the-internet kind of ass.”
I lean in to kiss her, but then my phone rings, breaking the moment.
“I’m outside. Let’s go,” Tito orders.
Luna grabs her things and takes my hand. I lead us down the stairs, ignoring the smile on Tito’s face.
When we get to the car, someone screams, “Luna, tell him to say hi to us.”
Before Luna gets in, she looks up and points at a window.
There are two girls there, just like Maeven said. I blow a kiss at them. “Las amo.”
One of them squeals, and we are off to my concert.
* * *
I’ve been held to the fire
With everything building inside
Time flies or drips like honey
And I feel it all rise
It’s the pain
The loneliness relegated to the bottom
The fear
The work that doesn’t stop
Hope that trickles in a sliver of moonlight
It’s all starting to boil
Burning my feet
Spreading through my body
The old feeling is back
My heart is roaring
The call of the stage is strong
Savage beyond my control
And I need to purge it all
I have to let the ardor out
There’s no anchor point from the fire
I just let it out
Before it consumes me
The walk is not gentle
But your hand in mine is pure courage
I can walk through fire and not be burned.
A hand presses over mine. I look down to delicate fingers with burgundy-colored nails and then back to Luna’s face.
Her warm smile sends a flare through my chest. “I’m going to go to my seat because it’s almost time.”
For a moment, I’m lost. She’s been sitting by my side while I write my ideas. I never do that. Why am I doing it with her here?
She leans close and kisses my cheek, then brushes her lips to the side of my mouth. “You’re going to kill it.”
She stands, and I can’t help but watch her walk away in her jeans and sparkly white halter top.
At the door, she turns and mouths, “Rompe.”
Then she closes the door.
And I’m left staring, thinking about last night and today. What does it all mean?
I’m falling in love with you.
Her words bring back the familiar warmth into my chest. And then my shoulders slump.
I didn’t tell her I feel the same.
I need to tell her how I feel. I push to my feet, race to the door, and swing it open, but the stage manager is there.
“Fifteen minutes.”
And everyone rushes in. The hairstylist pushes me back into the chair to retouch something.
It will have to wait until after the concert. But she’ll know. I have to let her know tonight.