Wicked (Somerset University #2) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,26

arm out of hers. “And Val and I are chilling together. Alone. We’ll figure the album out tomorrow, mama.”

“Isn’t it adorable how he calls his favorite women ‘mama.’” She cocked her head at me. “Does he call you that, Val?”

I bristled. What the fuck is this girl’s problem?

I opened my mouth to ask her directly. “What the—”

“I’ve got many nicknames for my lady,” said Jaxson smoothly. “A few of them not meant for innocent ears.”

“I’m hardly innocent,” she replied, smiling away. She grabbed his hand. “Come on. Everyone’s in studio four.”

She ran off, trying to drag him along, but he shook her loose again. “We’ll catch up.”

Shrugging, she kept going and finally left us alone.

“So that’s Serena Blackwood,” I said lightly.

“I know. She’s a lot.”

Irritation battered my good mood. I didn’t consider myself a jealous person. Why should I be when I trusted my guys absolutely? All the same, watching another girl paw their boyfriend would stretch anyone to the limit.

“Does she always hang off you like that?”

Jaxson pulled up short. “What? No.” He took my face in his hands. “She was just playing nice, interview-type style. Trust me, baby. The woman yelling at me for not living according to her schedule is the real Serena Blackwood.”

“Alright,” I said. “Let’s enjoy the rest of our time. I believe you were going to show me your office...?”

Jaxson spun us around and ran back the way we came.

His office truly was tiny, but we made good use of the chair, floor, and the top of the fridge. A delicious afternoon treat and then we lazily strolled through the department, greeting friendly faces on the way.

“This is Bianca’s office,” he said. “She’s usually in there answering calls and grabbing a quick bite at this time.”

“Then we shouldn’t disturb her,” I replied, slowing down.

“Nah. It’s cool.” Jaxson flung open the door.

Two women looked up from their seats. The older, tough-looking lady behind the desk I pegged as Bianca. The slight blonde woman tickled my memory.

“Gwen,” Jaxson said.

Oh, that’s Gwen. Jaxson talks about her all the time.

“Hey, Bianca. This is Val.”

“Val.” Bianca got up to hug me. She whistled. “You’re a damn knockout, girl. How’d this guy manage to score you?”

“You kidding?” asked Jaxson. He strutted across the room, hips swaying, and finished with a spin. “She couldn’t resist this.”

I laughed. “As bad as it is to encourage him, it’s true. I couldn’t.”

Jaxson flashed them an insufferably smug smile. “See.”

“Stop feeling yourself and finish introductions,” said Bianca.

“Right. My bad.” Jaxson gestured at the blonde vision in jeans and a purple tank top. “This is my girl, Gwen. She does all the work I don’t want to do.”

“Nice to meet you,” said Gwen. “But don’t believe him. Your boyfriend works hard. Did you just get here? I’ll come with you around the place. You have to see the art department.”

“We’re going there next. Val’s never seen it. But we’ve been in A and R for a while, and already ran into a few people.”

Gwen winced. For some reason, she mouthed “sorry” to Jaxson. “I was stuck in legal,” she told him. “Mr. Meyer needed me to help his secretary reorganize the files.”

“No worries.”

“Before you head down, take these,” said Bianca. She shoved a stack of demos on Gwen. “Now, get going. I’m sneaking in a couch nap before my conference call.”

We followed Gwen out, ready for the next part of the tour.

“I’m so glad you’re here, baby,” he whispered in my ear. “I missed you.”

I leaned against his shoulder. “I missed you too.”

THE NEXT DAY, THE END of my final class saw me in the Sally house. Mai, Keily, Palmer, and I made ourselves at home in Sofia’s room. Mai, Keily, and Sofia lay lengthways on Sofia’s bed. Palmer sat on top of her dresser, riffling through the drawers.

Palmer tossed me a mini chocolate bar from Sofia’s stash. “So why should we vote for you, Val?”

“Palmer,” Mai scolded. “Of course, we’re voting for Val.”

“Well, duh, but she’s got to have her spiel ready for when the other sisters ask,” she replied. “Val’s going up against Blair, a legacy, and Heather, Crista, and Eliana, all juniors. She needs to wow them.”

“I don’t know how I’ll manage wow,” I said from Sofia’s window seat. “All I can do is tell them the truth. If I become president, we’ll be living the easy life. No more early morning death marches. An end to boot camps. No twisted cult initiation.”

“By that she means no more exercising or obstacle courses,” said