Love Defined

by Kelli McCracken

  “I…I didn’t know that about you.” My throat tightened as I struggled to speak. For the first time since Mia had come into our lives, I saw her in a completely different light.

  “It’s not something I talk about much, either,” she said. “My mom’s death devastated everyone whose life she touched. It hurt my father the most. He broke down and cut himself off from everyone and everything.”

  My father had done the same for a little while. Then he turned straight asshole, became the town’s biggest man-whore, and left me alone at home to process my loss. To this day, I hadn’t forgiven him for, in some sense, abandoning me.

  “Did your grandfather take care of you when your dad lost it?”

  Mia nodded. “He and my grandmother helped raise me. When my grandmother passed, it was just my grandfather and me. He enjoyed spending time with me, and since Music Haven would be mine someday, he took me under his wing and groomed me to take the reins.”

  I studied her face as she stared into the distance. While I wasn’t sure how she’d lost her mother, I didn’t think this was the right time to ask. She had struggled enough with the admission. I refused to push her to talk about something so painful.

  “Your grandfather turned you into one hell of a businesswoman,” I said instead. “I know I haven’t shown it before now, but I respect that about you.”

  “Thanks.” She forced herself to laugh as she shook her head. “I’m just not sure if I have what it takes to replace my grandfather as owner and CEO. I’ve been under an extreme amount of pressure, and unfortunately, you’ve had to deal with it.’

  “Because I’ve been a totally obedient client, right?” I scoffed at my response, but at least she smiled, despite how briefly it lasted.

  “Darius, I’m willing to put in the hard work it takes to get your band success. I have to. If I blow this part of my training, your band won’t be the only one affected. I’ll fail all the current and future bands depending on Music Haven.”

  Her words disturbed me. “What do you mean?”

  She released my hand and placed it with her other one inside her lap. I didn’t miss the way she slumped her shoulders or averted her gaze. “My father refuses to run Music Haven. He says it’s my legacy, and my grandfather didn’t disagree. My grandfather is counting on me to succeed. If I can’t manage a band on my own, away from his guidance at Music Haven, I’ll never be good enough to run the place he built.” Her weary eyes turned to me. “I’m afraid of failing everyone.”

  Damn. I felt like the biggest jerk to ever exist. I’d spent all this time bucking her leadership and questioning her skills just because she was a woman. If Mia lost Music Haven, it would be my fault. I was the one who made her job a nightmare.

  Today, all that shit changed.

  It was time to grow up, accept my responsibilities, and show Mia that we both had the skills to reach our dreams. Then, maybe she’d see I wasn’t some asshole who was sent to make her life a living hell. She would see a man who she’d helped reopen his heart.

  Fuck. Boone was right. I was falling for Mia.

  7

  ~Mia~

  I stood backstage listening to the crowd whistling and cheering as Rebel Stone performed their fourth and final song for the evening. From the moment they’d gone on stage, they’d pumped up the audience with some of their better-known music. I was just happy that Darius took my advice when we discussed their song choices while we sat together on the ride to Jacksonville.

  The entire trip went better than expected. So had our conversation about working together. I didn’t think that would be the case after his weird reaction to Wesley when he stepped off the elevator. Part of me wanted to ask what that was all about, but I didn’t want to ruin his mood. When he was ready, he would explain why he had stormed off.

  Perhaps that moment would arrive later when we met for drinks.

  As if he’d read my thoughts, Darius glanced toward the platform at the side of the stage where I stood. When he winked at me, I felt my cheeks heat. His eyes didn’t linger long before he refocused on the crowd. He’d been super sweet today, which was nothing like the man I’d dealt with since arriving on the tour.

  Had we finally made a breakthrough?

  “Mia?

  I turned toward the masculine voice calling my name and greeted a familiar face. It was Lucian Oliver, a well-respected agent in the industry.

  “Hey, Lucian.” I waved as he walked up the stairs and joined me. “How are you?”

  “Good as always, darling.” Lucian gave me a peck on the cheek. “What about you? You’re a long way from home. Arizona getting too hot for you guys this time of year?”I chuckled. “No, sir. I’m working as usual.”

  “Working?” Lucian arched his neck and glanced around backstage. “Are you here with Brandon or Shane?”

  “Neither,” I answered. “I’m here as Rebel Stone’s manager.”

  Lucian’s attention returned to me as his mouth gaped. “Whoa. You’re Rebel’s new manager?” His eyes widened when I nodded. “Why would your family send you on such a crazy mission?”

  Damn, there were so many opinionated men in this industry. Even after working with the majority of them, I kept getting the same question. People knew my family. Why was it hard for some to believe I could be out on my own, managing a band?

  “I guess you could say this is the final test to make sure I’m ready to take over Music Haven.”

  Lucian shook his head in disbelief. A second later, he released a halfhearted laugh. “You’re a brilliant young woman. I’ve seen other bands you’ve managed, and they’re phenomenal. Just be careful out here on the road. Tour life is nothing like being at Music Haven.” He leaned in, gave me a hug, then eased back. “Take care of yourself. You have my number if you need anything.”

  I nodded. “See you later, Lucian.”

  When he turned to leave, he came within an inch of colliding with one of the roadies. It took me a second to realize it was Wesley.

  “Sorry, man. My bad,” Wesley apologized as Lucian waved it off.

  “No worries, friend. We’re all in a hurry to wait back here.”

  “True enough,” Wesley laughed. “Have a good evening, sir.”

  Once they parted ways, Wesley approached me.

  “Hi, Mia.”

  “Hey, Wesley. Where are you off to in such a hurry?”

  “I gotta go meet my crew in a few minutes.” He pointed to a group of guys behind the props at the back of the stage. “Our job is to grab equipment once Rebel Stone finishes. What about you? Are you enjoying the show?”

  “When I haven’t been on my phone, yes. The crowd seems to be feeling the music tonight.”

  “That’s good news.” He smiled. “So, are you going back to Music Haven when this leg of the tour ends?”

  “Not this time.” I pointed at the stage. “I have some radio station interviews set up for the guys, so I plan to keep working.”

  “I understand working hard. This whole roadie job is all right, but it’s not what I want to do. I’m hoping one day to get into sound-producing.”

  “Oh really? Are you any good?” I teased.

  I liked that he had ambitions. A lot of men lost their drive when they got older, not that Wesley was old by any means. If I were to guess, he was in his mid-thirties, just like Darius.

  “I’ve dabbled with music since I was in high school, but I only get to practice when I’m not working. That’s not too often.”

  “Well, maybe I can introduce you to some people before the tour ends.”

  A smile spread across his lips. “Would you?”

  “Of course.” I couldn’t say anything else before cheering burst from the crowd. The last note of the song hung in the air. Rebel Stone’s part of the show was over, and it sounded as though the performance had been a success.

  Nodding at Wesley, I didn’t bother speaking. We could finish this conversation some other time when we returned for the next leg of the tour. I wouldn’t s
ee him until then, and right now, it was too noisy to discuss it. Besides, he needed to get back to work.

  Just as I parted my mouth to tell him we’d talk later, I sensed someone staring. I faced the stage only to find Darius blocking my view. Unsure of how long he’d been standing there, I assumed by the way his chest heaved he’d just run off stage.

  A second later, he glared at Wesley, just like yesterday when the elevator doors opened.

  “Hey, Darius.” I greeted him, hoping to gain his attention, but he didn’t acknowledge me. His jaw flinched as he kept glaring at his roadie. Wesley faced Darius and straightened his back.

  “Your crew needs you in the east wing.” Darius gritted his teeth. “You need to get back to work.”

  Wesley smirked at him. “Don’t worry. I’m going.” His eyes shifted from Darius to me. “See you around, Mia.”

  “Bye,” I replied, but he’d already turned to walk away. When I felt the weight of Darius’s eyes on me a second later, I crossed my arms and narrowed my gaze. “Mind telling me what that was all about?”

  “Wesley’s a creep. You shouldn’t be talking to him.”

  I shook my head and leaned against the railing surrounding the platform. “People haven’t said kind things about you either, Darius, but that doesn’t mean you’re a bad person.”

  He scoffed at my response. “Women know what I’m about. Wesley pretends to be something he’s not. I’m telling you, that guy is going to cause some woman a lot of emotional stress. Don’t let that woman be you, Mia.”

  Did he think I was some clueless soul who would fall for the first guy who smiled her way or paid her a few compliments? I wanted a man who was going to challenge me every bit as much as I challenged him.

  “Not that you deserve an explanation right now, but Wesley and I were talking about the show and his dreams of being a sound producer. Are you insinuating it was something more?”

  “Sound producing?” Darius scoffed. “Don’t buy everything he’s selling. I don’t doubt you’re a strong woman, Mia, but I’ve seen the way people manipulate other people in this industry. You can’t trust everyone who seems nice. Take it from someone who knows. Don’t talk to Wesley anymore.”

  I jerked my head back. “Is that a request or a demand?”

  The concern I saw in his eyes switched to frustration. “When it comes to that motherfucker, it’s a demand.”

  Anger stirred inside me. Who the hell did he think he was to demand I not speak to someone? He wasn’t my father or my grandfather. And he sure as hell wasn’t…

  “Where do you get off telling me who I can and can’t talk to? You’re not my boyfriend, Darius.”

  The smug expression he wore disappeared in an instant. “Yeah, I know. You could never stoop low enough to go for a guy like me.”

  His words blindsided me, and to my surprise, they made my chest tighten. “Oh, so you want to date me now?”

  “You act as though that would be a crime,” Darius answered.

  I struggled to respond. Something about the raspy sound of his voice said that this wasn’t a joke, and his face was void of humor. It didn’t make sense. He’d hated me since day one. I refused to believe he was suddenly interested in me.

  “Don’t worry, Mia,” Darius snorted. “People like you and me don’t mix. You don’t want to date an asshole like me, even though I’m a better man when you’re around. You wouldn’t want to ruin your reputation.”

  His words jarred me. My chest grew tighter at the pain in his voice. I lowered my eyes over his body, taking in his firm, tanned, tattooed arms. The thought of them wrapped around me, pulling me close, flooded my body with heat. Even though he was fifteen years older than me, there was something about him that spoke to my soul. I was brought into his life for a reason. Was it for more than music?

  As I considered asking him as much, my phone rang. His eyes shifted to it as I pulled it from my back pocket and checked the number.

  Shit. It was my grandfather. I had to take this call at the worst time possible. “It’s my grandfather,” I told him. “Can you give me a minute?”

  “No.” He backed towards the steps. “I think we’ve said enough for one evening. Enjoy the rest of yours, Mia.”

  “What about the drink we were supposed to have?”

  Darius shrugged as he backed toward the steps. “Guess you can share it with Wesley.”

  ~Darius~

  I’d fucked up this time. Royally…

  Showing Mia my softer side—the part of me that was afraid to trust—was the worst mistake I could have made. She knew my weakness, and now she was using it against me. Why else was she talking to Wesley again? I didn’t buy some lame explanation about them discussing the show or his career goals. I’d seen Wesley in action and knew exactly what he was up to.

  As I stormed to the dressing room, the asshole inside me returned. That part of me could take Mia’s rejection. It was the side I had to embrace from this point forward. Despite how badly I wanted her, I refused to let her rip out my heart.

  How could I have been stupid enough to think she would go for someone like me—a misfit, a jerk, a womanizer? We came from two different worlds, and the only thing connecting us was her job. She had no real feelings for me. I was a final quest for her to conquer, and once she did, she would get the reins to a dynasty.

  Even if Mia was interested, I’d never fit into her life. Shane Brooks would lose his mind if I touched his precious little princess.

  Just as I stepped inside the dressing room, the sound of shoes scuffing against the floor drew my attention down the hall. Boone was walking in my direction. He signaled me to wait as he quickened his stride.

  When he reached the door, I backed away to allow him inside.

  “Hey, D. You all right?”

  “Pfft,” I grumbled. “Yeah, I’m peachy. I just realized what a damn idiot I am.”

  Boone frowned. “What the hell are talking about?”

  I shook my head, growled at the thought of Mia, then walked farther into the room. As I stood next to the chair with my duffle bag, the door clicked closed. Boone leaned against it and stared in my direction.

  “Let me guess. Something happened with Mia.”

  “Gee, how did you know?” I gritted my teeth at my own sarcasm. Boone would think I was taking my frustrations out on him if I didn’t change my tone. “Sorry, bro. I’m in a foul mood.”

  “Yeah, I noticed. Mind telling me what went down? I can’t help if I don’t know what happened.”

  I groaned at the thought of telling him. Maybe I was overreacting to the situation. If I told Boone why I was upset, he’d laugh and razz me about it. He always had a way of poking fun at me.

  “It’s nothing, man. I think I overreacted to something she did.”

  Boone crossed his arms. “Let me be the judge of that.”

  Deep down, I knew he was just concerned. Still, I didn’t want to talk about this. Now that I had time to think, I realized I was acting like a child.

  “I saw Wesley and Mia talking after the show. Although I didn’t hear what they were discussing, I have a feeling he’s interested in her.”

  “So? It doesn’t mean she feels the same.” Boone cocked his head to the side. “I saw you two sitting together on the bus trip down to Jacksonville. Have you decided to take my advice and get to know her?”

  I shrugged and faced the chair, gripping the back. “I tried. Hell, I even mentioned my interest in her before I walked away.”

  When silence greeted me, I glanced at Boone. His nostrils flared and he huffed. “I find that hard to believe. If this was some other chick, you could spin your lyrics on her. This is Mia Brooks we’re discussing. If you want to win her attention, you need to dig into your soul.”

  I wasn’t prepared to do something that involved me exposing myself to further rejection. While I shouldn’t have gotten angry over Mia talking to Wesley, everything I’d told her was true.

  She would never stoop to dating a guy l
ike me. If I ever opened my heart, it couldn’t be on a whim. I couldn’t have any doubts about how she felt, and right now, I doubted everything.

  “Boone, as much as I appreciate what you’re trying to do, don’t waste your time. Mia’s out of my league, man. You know that as well I do.”

  “Bullshit.” Boone unfolded his arms and left his spot near the door to approach me. “You’re just afraid of what you feel for her.”

  I prepped a witty comeback but decided not to say anything. I would never admit it to him, but Boone was right. I feared my attraction to Mia. She was under my skin and I didn’t know how to eject her from my system.

  “Beat Wesley at his own game, D. I know the real you, not this image you portray.”

  “What image?” I scoffed.

  “This hard exterior you’re using to guard yourself against caring about other people. I get it, man. I was there when your mom—”

  “I’m finished with this conversation.” I grabbed my bag off the chair and made steady strides to the door. Memories of my mother were painful. Now wasn’t the time to bring her up, and I was pissed at Boone for trying.

  “You can avoid this topic all you want, but it’s not going to resolve anything,” Boone retorted. “Man up and show Mia who you really are. That’s the only way to keep Wesley from getting his claws into her.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him.

  “Don't give me that look,” he said. “You know I’m right. Besides, you’re the one who said someone needed to protect her from Wesley.”

  “I’m going out. I’ll catch up with you in the morning.” Ignoring his protests, I opened the door and walked into the hall.

  As I headed toward the exit, I spotted Mia standing in the distance, chatting with Mitch. When her eyes shifted to me, I turned in the opposite direction. I may have told her to have a drink with Wesley, but I wasn’t going to sit in the hotel room, sober and angry with the world. I was going to get shitfaced.