Page 9 of Wishing for La Luna
“I don’t want to go to rehab. It’s not that bad.”
Maeven nods. “Okay, then. Show me. Let’s start with therapy and get ready for the tour. In the meantime, I’ll work my magic to fix your image.” She points at me. “I need you to promise… No more fighting. No more drugs. And no more than two drinks a night.”
“Deal.”
She looks down at her phone and back at my face. “And here’s where we start. Next week, Chico Sparx is playing at the Coliseum. You’re going to perform the new song you recorded with him and Niko. It’s releasing the day before. Niko won’t be there, but you and Chico will do well together. He will also let you sing one of your album’s songs. The girls will love it.”
I start to shake my head because there’s no way I feel ready for that. But she’s got that not-budging look in her eyes.
Maybe it’s time I get out on the stage again. I’ll have to do it for the tour anyway.
“Okay.”
* * *
After Maeven leaves, I sit on the couch, with my phone in my hand, scrolling through my social media feeds. The fight with Noryel is being discussed everywhere, with people commenting.
Noryel had it coming. He’s been a real POS lately.
Yeah, about time someone gave him a good salsa.
But mostly, people are talking about me.
Man, it’s time someone says it. Rio is a fucking mess.
ATP we know Rio for the fuck-shit, not his music.
Another guy agrees.Yeah, like bruh, get some therapy.
Someone else postsDoes Rio not have friends?
The answer from another person has me almost throwing my phone against the wall.Yeah, but Niko is too big to be associated with that shit. That’s why he stays far away.
I keep scrolling down my feed, trying to outrun the posts about me. My friend Zao posted to his IG page about his return to hisBarrio. All the kids are smiling in photos with him, and a party broke out in the main street.
El Dominante back in his kingdom. Nada como #BuenosAires #RD
God, I want to go home so bad. I wouldn’t get into problems there. I just can’t go.
Farther down, a photo calls my attention. It’s from Adi in the City’s blog. Adina is standing in front of a building, making the peace sign, but the one that really catches my eye is the woman in the back, leaning casually against the wall in a jean jacket and joggers while smiling at someone off camera.
Luna.
My lip curls like hers did the last time we saw each other at a club in The Heights. I still don’t know what I supposedly did to her other than flirt a little at Niko’s. Ever since, she’s been giving me the cold shoulder and not even saying hello when we run into each other. But it’s all good. I dodged a bullet the day we met. And now I don’t have time for this shit.
Because my life is in shambles.
My phone pings. It’s a text.
Niko
Bro. What’s going on? This is not you. Why you being so reckless?
Me
It’s nothing, man.
Niko
