Clark turned to me. “What did you think?”
I sighed, not wanting to be the bad guy, and definitely not wanting to be on whatever team Clark was on. “I’m not sold.”
He clapped his hands, a look of vindication on his weasel face. “Thank you. A man of reason.”
Mo sneered at me. “Really, Santi? Is this because of Diego? You don’t want to replace him? Or do you agree with Clark?”
“None of those reasons. I just think Maeve will be a distraction.”
He scoffed. “For who?You?”
My mouth pulled down into a scowl. “No. Not to me. Maeve has never interested me.”
Murray clashed his hand down on a cymbal. “Somebody tell me why the fuck Mae-Mae doesn’t fit our image, whatever the hell that means!”
Clark sucked in a deep breath. “We’ve got three guys, covered in muscles, then we’ve got this...this soft, country bumpkin girl with a pretty damn big ass and—”
“Shut the fuck up,” I gritted out, my fists curling into tight balls. “If you ever say shit like that in my presence aboutanyone, you will not like the results.”
“Come on,” Clark turned on his placating tone, “I’m only saying what the label, your fans, and everyone else will be saying.”
There was a swift rap on the studio door before it swung open and a red-faced Maeve peeked in.
“Hey, y’all, I’m withdrawing from consideration. It was fun seein’ everyone again, but this isn’t going to work. Thank you so much for the chance.”
She swung around before anyone could react, her footsteps echoing down the hallway. Without giving it a thought, I chased after her, catching her right before she reached the exit.
My fingers closed around her elbow, bringing her to a stop.
She heaved a sigh, but didn’t face me. “Y’all should probably know those doors are paper thin. One would think a practice space would be soundproof.”
My gut clenched and anger boiled like lava in my veins. That she’d heard even one word Clark had uttered about her made me want to tear down the world.
“Clark is an asshole.” I moved in front of her, blocking her exit.
Fiery forest green eyes flicked to mine. “He’s not the only one. But that’s fine. I didn’t hear anything I didn’t already know. Like I said, I had fun. You certainly got your kicks in your attempt at humiliating me.”
“Nah, baby girl. That was a challenge, which you rose to.”
The instant the endearment left my mouth—the name I’d called her that summer five years ago—her entire body stiffened. There was no chance in hell she’d heard anything I’d said after.
“Don’t ever call me that again, Santiago.”
I backed off, knowing full well I’d crossed a line. “I won’t. I swear. I’m asking you to come back, ignore Clark like the rest of us, and listen to Mo.”
Her fists went to her hips, and her eyes went hard. I saw the leather toughness she held beneath her surface. It hadn’t been there when I knew her before, but I was glad she’d built it up now. She’d need it, both in this world and in this business.
“What jackhole sent you out here to talk to me? I heard you five years ago, and I heard you again now. You don’t want me anywhere near you or the band. What’s your angle here?”
“No angle. I do think you’ll be a distraction, and I’m not sold on you being the right fit. That doesn’t mean I have the final say, and I’ll go to hell before I let Clark drive you away from a pretty damn big opportunity.”
“You really sold me on goin’ back in there.” Her eyes tightened as they raked over me. “Where’s Diego?”
“You asked that already. He quit.”
Before she could ask another question I wasn’t willing to answer, Mo came skidding into the hall. “Wait. Don’t leave.”
Murray came out after him, casual as could be with his hands in the pockets of his shorts. “Oh, cool. We’re meeting in the hall now?”