Wicked (Somerset University #2) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,64
gesturing and looking all sexy as he commanded his job.
Serena nodded along. She pointed above her and then to the back of the stage. Jaxson moved to her side, looking where she gestured. As I watched, Serena rested her hand on his shoulder and moved in closer still. Jaxson nodded, said something in response, and then stepped back, consulting someone through his earpiece.
Jaxson spotted me and waved, gesturing for me to come up. I rounded the stage, finding the back stairs, and security waved me on. Jaxson met me at the top, taking my hand.
“We’re all set here,” he said. “But I wanted you to see what it’s like.”
We raced to the edge, looking out over the festival. In a blink I was there. Millions of cheering fans were at my feet, jumping, dancing, and living as a single organism that thrived on one thing: the music.
I draped his arm over my shoulder, resting my head on him. “You never wanted this, Jaxson? You could have it. I’ve heard you sing.”
“Nah. I’m made for the old man’s desk. You can be the legend or the legend maker, and lucky for me, I’ll always be both.”
“Will you?” I asked. “What makes you a legend?”
He patted his package. “This right here.”
I flung my head back groaning. “Jaxson! You’re such a mess. I’ll forgive you because I love you.”
“You’ll forgive me because you know it’s true.”
Rolling my eyes, I hid a grin and tugged him off. “Come on. There’s cotton candy next to stage 4F. Kimber and the Nightingales go on in ten minutes. Sofia turned me on to them a couple weeks ago, and don’t think she’s not jealous that I’m seeing them live.”
“After them, there’s a jazz set in the bar across the entrance. They’re a part of the festival too.”
“And then after that”—I grinned over my shoulder—“we go back to the hotel and break the bed.”
Jaxson stopped dead. “You know, Kimber and her birds can wait.”
I laughed. “Uh-uh. Easy, legend. We’ll get there.”
Jaxson and I ran off the stage like kids set loose on the playground. We stood in line for the cotton candy, moaning about the heat. Partway through, he left and returned with ice cream, feeding me the cone with little better accuracy than Adam, and us cracking up as he licked the treat from my chin.
Loaded down with food, we headed over to the Kimber stage, stretched out on the grass, and ate while the band crooned about love, heartbreak, and revolution. I recorded their whole set with plans to send it to Sofia.
As they wrapped up, we got out ahead of the crowd and made for the entrance. The little jazz bar that scored the indoor venue spot was smaller and cozier than I anticipated. Booths took up every wall except for the one sharing the bar and stage. In the middle were intimate two-person tables and couples holding hands around the votive candles.
Jaxson and I found a booth near the stage and relaxed. The humid, sticky day cooled on our bodies and beneath the table we used the obscurity to let our hands roam.
The lights dimmed and the band of young hopefuls came on. I didn’t know as much about jazz as Jaxson did but I enjoyed their light steady sound and how it lulled me to sleep on his shoulder. An early morning flight followed by a vigorous welcome from Jaxson, and then running around the festival. I was exhausted.
Tonight, after our activities, I’ll be out like a light. Indulging a full, deep sleep that I know not to take for granted.
Jaxson woke me with kisses on my forehead. “Hate jazz that much?”
Chuckling, I rose up and stretched, arching my back. “Put that down to how tired I am, not the quality of the band. They were amazing.”
Concern flicked across his face. “Want me to take you back to the hotel? Get some rest. When I’m done, I’ll pick you up for dinner and we’ll have the night to ourselves.”
“When you’re done? What else do you have to do. You said Beyond Berlin was all set on stage.”
“They’ve still got hair, makeup, final practices, and then I’ve got to stay for the show. When they finish the set, I’m leaving the breakdown to the roadies and”—he kissed my nose—“taking my girl out for crawfish jambalaya. I know this place that serves the best you’ve ever had or will ever have.”
“Can’t wait,” I murmured.
Jaxson checked his watch. “We’ve got a couple of hours until I’m