Wicked (Somerset University #2) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,57

Serena and Ty emerged from the back room, damp from their showers, and spreading a cloud of minty steam.

“What are we playing?” Serena plopped down next to me, propping her chin on my shoulder.

“Ooh. I never learned how to play poker. Will you teach me?”

“Brant’s got you. I have to call Val.”

I slid the other way out of the booth, moving to my bunk. I didn’t know what was up with her. Was this Serena being nice? Did she drape herself on all of her friends? Either way, I wasn’t playing along. I strove to keep my relationship with Serena Blackwood professional from jump street. She’d get the hint quick.

I climbed onto my bed and drew the curtain. Val answered on the third ring.

“Hey, Jaxson. Are you guys on the road?”

“Just left. How are you? Everything normal?”

“So far. I parked in the east garage and my guards followed in front and behind to check there was no one on my tail. Juliet and Hadley are sticking to me like glue. We’re safe.”

“We?”

“Adam is tagging along for a trip to the Sally house. Isn’t that right, baby? Isn’t that right?”

Valentina dropped to cooing and Adam’s excited babble came through the phone. I didn’t share the excitement.

“It’s the weekend, and after what you’ve been through, won’t your friends give you a break? You don’t need to be on campus.”

“I organized this gourmet-popcorn-and-Meryl-Streep movie marathon. I’m excited about it. Whoever this person is they don’t get to scare me out of living my life.”

“I just can’t stand you both being there while I’m getting farther away.”

Her tone softened. “You won’t be so far in a few days. I can’t wait for us to hit that festival together. Amelia already said I can borrow the plane.”

“Mama Melia always comes through.”

The curtain flew open.

“Jaxson, why are you hiding in here?” Serena grabbed hold of my arm. “We’re practicing intros. Come out and tell us which one you like best.”

“Not now, Serena.”

“Oh, is that Val?” She raised her voice. “Hi, Valentina. Don’t worry, we’re taking good care of him.”

“I see you’re busy,” said Val. “I’ll call you later. Say bye to Daddy, Adam.”

“Bye!”

I barely got my goodbye out. Val hung up as Serena tugged me off the bunk.

“You’re all ours now, Jaxson.”

VALENTINA

Sofia pounced on Adam the minute I came through the door.

“There’s my favorite godson.” She had him out of my arms and on her hip in a blink. “We’re making pizza bites, marshmallow treats, rainbow spritzers, and nachos to go with the gourmet popcorn. Want to help us, sweet boy?”

“Yeah!”

Adam’s answer to everything was an enthusiastic yes. If Sofia asked if he wanted to hotwire the dean’s car and take it for a spin, my son would be ride-or-dying in the passenger seat.

I laughed. “A few weeks of eating healthy and the girls had enough.”

Her eyes glittered. “Basically.”

“Okay, but don’t let him eat too much sugar.” I slid off his backpack. “I’ve got fruit and crackers in here for him.”

Shaking her head, she tsked. “You know it’s my godmotherly duty to sneak this kid all the treats he wants.”

“Just like it was your godmotherly duty to buy Adam a horse?”

I wish I was kidding. There was a mare named Cinnamon enjoying her life in the Richards’ stables as a little boy’s birthday present.

“You’re just making these up as you go along,” I said.

She lifted her chin. “Rules are rules.”

Sofia strode off with my son to make good on her promise to chock him full of sugar and then pass him back to me. I gave up the fight. I never formally named her his godmother but it was true all the same.

“Ladies, you can chill down in the living room. I’m going to find Miss Ortega.”

“If it’s all the same, we’d like to accompany you, sweep the room, and then, of course, we’ll wait outside,” said Juliet.

It was a fair request, so I agreed. Ryder wouldn’t move on his threat to fire them if something else happened to me. I didn’t have to make it harder for them to do their job.

I poked my head in the kitchen. Most of the house was in there. Some helping to make the food. More eating the ingredients and getting in the way. Adam kicked his little feet off the counter, beaming his missing-tooth grin as the girls showered him in attention. The only one who wasn’t there was Miss Ortega.

I climbed the stairs and searched out her room on the top floor. Blair taking over the president’s