Wicked (Somerset University #2) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,19
hung out with anyone outside of work.”
My phone buzzed.
“One sec.”
I got off the couch and went to the other side of the room. Papa VZ flashed on my screen.
“Yeah, Dad?”
“Where did you go? Gwen said you ran out of here and never came back.”
“I had to be there for Adam’s first day of school,” I said.
“Shit. I forgot. How is he? Did you give him the jacket?”
It was almost ridiculous how much our families loved Adam. Dad spent his life in his office or out on the road, so he didn’t get to spend much time with him. But that didn’t stop him from bringing home band gear as presents for the little guy.
“Yeah. He loved it. Adam wants to know when you’re coming by next to swim with him.”
“We can make it happen next week. I’m taking some time off. But don’t leave it to me to be his swim teacher. The kid’s like a fish in water. He loves it. Put him in lessons.”
“Val’s nervous about it after nearly drowning. We’re working on her.”
“Hmm— Damn,” he cursed. “That’s not what I called you about. Serena refused to do anything without talking to you and finding out you left didn’t help the situation. It became enough of a problem that I had to step in, but understand, son, that this is your job. You can’t walk out on your artist in the middle of a crisis. At the very least, you should have told Serena you were leaving.”
I gritted my teeth. Yes, I ignored every call from Serena and I didn’t have a fuck ounce of guilt over it. “It wasn’t a crisis. We finalized the tracks last night and Serena agreed. It’s not my fault that she changed her mind again and flipped out again. Besides, I asked for this morning off. Bianca cleared it.”
“Just the morning. You were supposed to be back hours ago. Serena shouldn’t be calling me because she can’t reach you.”
“Just how long do I have to be her bitch?” I snapped.
“If you’re too good for this job,” Dad said, voice chilly. “Just let me know. I’ve got plenty that are happy to do it.”
I swallowed a furious retort. Pissing him off wouldn’t do me any favors.
“That’s not what I’m saying,” I said after a tense pause. “I get even less sleep than Bianca. I almost missed seeing Adam off to school, and Val’s face this morning...” I let out a long breath. “I’m never home, Dad. It’s starting to hurt our relationship. I took the day off to be with her.”
Levi’s tone softened. “Fuck if I don’t know how much of our time Interstellar takes. I had to bring your scrawny tail to work with me or I never would have seen you either.” He sighed. “Look, we can work something out. Gwen will pick up the slack with Beyond Berlin. I can even hire another assistant. Bianca could use more time off herself.”
I shook my head though he couldn’t see. “Bianca could for sure use time off, but another assistant won’t help me. Neither can Gwen. Serena refuses to work with anyone else. She tells Gwen to fuck off and get me whenever she opens her mouth.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
Dad hung up. Gushy goodbyes weren’t his thing but this particular sign-off was a lot better. Serena could push pretty much everyone around. But not Dad.
“Jaxson?” The sorority sisters flooded out of the dining room. Val hooked her arm through mine and dropped her head on my shoulder. Her sweet, strawberry flavor enveloped me.
Nope. I gave zero fucks about ignoring Serena.
“Ready to go?” she asked.
“Yes.”
We said goodbye to Sofia, Hudson, and her friends. Then we made for the car.
“In the mood for anything special for dinner?”
She hummed. “Maybe... something delicious, but easy enough to make with Adam. It’s been a while since the three of us cooked together. I know he’d love it.”
“We’ll make quesadillas again. Just the three of us.” I pulled Val closer. We walked a noisy path through Greek Row, passing students lazing about on the front lawn, and shouting at each other across the street. “And then afterward, it’s just the two of us.”
“Before I forget, there’s something I have to tell you.”
“What’s up?”
Val flashed me a sheepish smile. “I’m running for president of Zeta Rho Sigma.”
Chapter Three
Valentina
“I don’t understand how you went from dropping out of the sorority to becoming its freaking president.”
“Jaxson,” I whispered. I cut eyes to Adam over his shoulder.