Chapter 26 #2
My teeth are about to shatter from me grinding them so hard.
The woman presses her lips as if she’s trying to suppress a smile. “It’s the battle of the exes because Katya is gorgeous and sexy, but Giovanni is good enough to eat, and we don’t need crackers. I guess Luna said, you went there and now we’re all going to hell.”
The three of them cackle, and I’m ready to explode. I’m dialing Maeven, who answers on the third ring.
She doesn’t even say hello. “I’ve been expecting your call.”
And I go off. “You fucking set her up with that asshole? What the fuck, Maeven?”
“Okay, let’s dial it down. We went for a hike, and he and his manager happened to be there. I know Dane, so we made the introduction. When they called to ask for her number, I couldn’t say no—”
Her voice is calm, as if she were explaining breathing to someone who’s been trapped in an elevator for hours.
“Why couldn’t you say no?” I’m almost yelling.
“Because Luna is my client too, not to mention my friend. It’s her decision.”
“Are you serious right now?” I ask.
She sighs. “Babe, you’re in a budding relationship right now. PR is a lot about optics, especially for someone like Luna, who has achieved a small level of celebrity status. She may not be as famous as you, but people know her, and she needs to keep her money flowing for Morena & Miel.”
“You know what my budding relationship is. This is for real. This fucker wants her. He’s drooling over her, and she’s over there smiling like she’s…”
I trail off.
“Rio. All she did was go to an award show with him. You’re going to be on a song with Katya, grinding and looking like you’re about to tear into each other. You can’t expect Luna to sit at home. She’s too gorgeous for that.”
I hang up on her because there’s nothing I can say that will end the conversation well. Is she fucking kidding me? She’s the same person who was almost in tears when I told her we broke up.
My phone pings with a text from Luna, and I know I shouldn’t look at it. I should let it sit because it’s only going to piss me off more.
Luna
Congrats to you, Boo. I know a soft launch when I see one. IYKYK
Yeah, the red-hot anger floods me like a cloud. But I force a breath.
Me
Hmm. All I did was go out to eat. You’re over there on a formal outing. You win, I guess?
Luna
Not a competition. Just having a good time. You should get out and get some sun. Colombia is too beautiful to stay in and pout.
The fuck-off lingers on my tongue.
Tito and Sel walk into the living area of the hotel suite, and when our gazes meet, she spins around to go back into their room.
“Don’t run.”
She faces me. “I figure you need Tito because I’m probably only going to piss you off more. I don’t want to be put out in the streets in a foreign country.”
“Stop trying to be cute.” I point at the screen.
Sel shrugs. “It’s a date, Rio—a public one at that. You’re acting like they went on a getaway to a Caribbean island and jumped off a cliff together.”
The images of the Dominican Republic flash through my head, and I have to close my eyes and stop the images because I don’t know what I would do if she were to go away with someone.
I would catch another case.
Her phone rings, and she looks down. “Tía? Hi. Bendición.” She listens and nods a few times and then hangs up. “That was Tía Raquel. She wanted to know if you were available to take her call.”
I nod, wondering why Luna’s mom wants to talk to me. She’s texted a few times to make sure I’m okay but nothing more than that.
My phone rings a few seconds later.
“Hi, Rio. How are you doing? And I mean, how are you really doing, not some pleasant lie you make up for the cameras.”
My face tingles because I was going to tell her how great I’m doing so she can go tell her daughter. Instead, I go to my room to talk to her. “I’m trying to handle things maturely and not lose it but making un puro tollo.”
She chuckles. “That’s the most honest thing I’ve heard in a while. Life doesn’t come with instructions, so we are bound to make messes.”
“How are you doing?” I ask.
“Busy with wedding planning and moving my stuff to Darren’s before the big day. I’m happy because I love him and this has been a long journey for us, but a little sad not having my Mariposita live with me anymore.”
Luna has to be torn about that, too.
“That’s going to be weird for both of you.”
But now she’ll have someplace where she can be private with that fucking idiot. Don’t think about that, Riomar.
“Yeah, but I don’t want to make this uncomfortable. I was calling to invite you to the wedding. It’s going to be a small event, just family. Darren and I would love to have you there.”
There’s something funny in my chest. It’s always present since the night she had me stay over and then gave me the blessing I so needed. She’s been supportive since I’ve known her.
“Thank you. This means so much to me. There’s a big place in my heart for you. There’s nothing I would love more than to be there, but it’s your day, and I don’t want to make it awkward for you…or her.”
“I get it.” But her voice is soft and a little sad. “I wish…”
There’s a long pause on the line and a knotting in my belly. She wishes we were still together.
“Me too,” I admit.
“Hang in there. Just because it’s not the right time doesn’t mean it won’t ever be.”
And that’s what I keep telling myself, but every day, I feel like the space between Luna and me grows wider. “Thanks.”
“Bueno, go and make the girls dance, muchachito fresco.”
I laugh, remembering that Luna said that’s what her mom called me when she first heard my songs.
I make a mental note to do better. I will stomp on my jealousy and not let it get the best of me.
I scroll through my Instagram feed and come across Luna’s post. It’s a carousel with several photos, 'Get Ready with Me,' where she goes from sitting on her desk at home and giving a quick walk-through of her makeup to her finished look in front of the gold mirror.
Ready to celebrate the #StarsOfTomorrow and today.
I go through all the slides more times than I think is healthy. All the photos are of her alone. Thank God.
As pissed as I was earlier, I wasn’t wrong. There’s something sad in her eyes. Maybe it’s because of all the time I spent staring at them that I know them like my own. Or maybe I’m looking for clues to convince myself.
Either way, I’m not going to send another text to her about it… but I hit the heart icon and grab my notepad from the stand.
I think of how beautiful she is in her dress and how I never got the chance to take her to a show or walk the red carpet with her on my arm.
There are stars out tonight
Shining bright against the night sky
They try to outshine each other
But you’re the stellar one
Reina de la noche
Queen of the night
Con el Brillo mas intenso
Y presencia fenomenal
I watch you from earth
Light years away
Wishing for one more moment
To touch the hem of your dress.
I’m in darkness
You’re the light
Tengo hambre y tu eres mi pan
Without you, I know I’ll starve.