Wicked (Somerset University #2) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,55
say no to you being with me all the time. But you don’t have to. I trust you and I want you to go. I’ll be safe here. The plan is to mix up cars and parking spaces. My new psycho friend will have to work harder to target me with their spray paint.”
“Val, it’s one festival. I can miss it. Gwen will go in my place.”
“I would go in your place. A trip to New Orleans sounds perfect right now.”
I seized on an idea. “Babe, come with us.”
“What? I can’t miss an entire week of classes. Plus, there’s this little cutie. Maybe you’ve met him? His name is Adam Moon and he won’t stand for me to be away from him that long.”
Tapping my chin, I hummed. “That name does sound familiar...”
Her laugh set the world on its axis and called it to spin again.
“No chance you’ll both squeeze in my bunk with me?”
“Adam would probably love that.”
“Well, if that’s not going to work,” I said. “Why don’t you fly in for the festival? Amelia’s got a private jet. Come down Saturday morning. Check out the bands. Fool around with me on the tour bus. And be back Sunday night.”
“That does sound tempting.”
I bumped her nose with mine. “You’ve been on for weeks. School, home, Zeta Rho. Now this. Take a break, baby. You deserve it.”
“A break would be amazing,” she said, turning the idea over. “I’ve never been to a music festival. Munching on beignets and dancing with you to killer bands is the perfect end to what will be a miserable week.”
“That sounds like a yes.”
Val popped a kiss on my lips. “It’s definitely a yes. I’ll call Amelia in the morning.” She rested her head on my shoulder, content to watch the night with me.
It amazed me her ability to compartmentalize. What happened that day was pushed aside to be dealt with later.
Right now is all about us.
My mystery gift-giver could send all the presents they wanted. She was all I needed.
“I’M SO JEALOUS.”
Gwen threw herself on my chair, flopping like a ragdoll. The two of us were in my office the next day, talking tour.
“Bianca told them about the festival and it was out of Serena’s mouth that she wanted you to go before I opened mine,” said Gwen. “She really doesn’t like me.”
“What’s that about?” I couldn’t resist asking. “She’d rather wait for me to be free than go to you for anything.”
Gwen threw up her hands. “You see it too! It’s starting to feel personal, J. The other guys don’t have a problem with me, but Serena stiffens when I enter the room. I’m wracking my brain for what I did to offend her.”
“Honestly, it’s likely my fault. She hates that I keep pushing her at you.”
“This is our job. We’re supposed to work it together. Levi, Bianca, you, and her own bandmates have told her she can’t put you on a leash. Why is that so hard for her to accept?” She sighed. “In the meantime, I’m sitting here while you’re partying in some of the most amazing cities in the world.”
“There’s an extra bunk. I’ll see if I can persuade Bianca to let you come too.”
“No, that’s okay. Doesn’t seem the smart move to confine myself in a small space with Serena Blackwood. Besides, someone has to be here to fetch the coffee.”
I squeezed her knee. “You’ll be on the next bus, mama. Count on it.”
“Thanks.”
Knuckles beat on the door.
“I can guess who that is,” she mumbled.
“Is your money on Serena or Paunch?”
“Serena. Five bucks and the champagne cupcake you’re hiding in the mini fridge?”
“Whoa. Not my cupcake. You’re taking it too far. This is just a friendly bet.”
She snorted.
“Hello? I know you’re in there.”
Serena, Gwen mouthed to me, smug as ever.
I opened the door without getting up. Serena blew inside. “Jaxson, did Bianca tell you?”
“Yep. I’m already packed.”
Serena slid a look to Gwen. “You’re not coming.”
“Jaxson, I’ll take my cupcake.”
I handed it over along with her five bucks. She earned it for dealing with Serena.
Gwen grabbed her winnings and left us alone. Serena claimed her seat. “We have a million things to do to prepare.”
“Your manager will make sure you’re ready.”
She waved that away. Dad came through hiring Brant Titus to manage the band and take Serena everywhere she wanted her career to go. For some reason, she was still determined to drag me along.
“How did they hear about us?” she asked, passing my comment by. “This is huge for