Wicked (Somerset University #2) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,63

New Orleans. I’ll bring her back one day.”

“When you do, stay at a cute little hotel called the Imperial. So romantic. They have claw-foot tubs. A balcony attached to every room. And a special service for couples including wine, cheese, and chocolate-covered strawberries brought up with your meals. Also, rose-petal turndown service.” I smiled up at Jaxson. “That’s the hotel I booked for us, J.”

“Can’t wait.”

“Sounds perfect,” Rylan agreed. “Thanks for the rec. That should make up for me getting here first.”

“You’re moving to a hotel?” Serena asked.

“Just for the night,” Jaxson replied.

“You can’t.”

“Why can’t I?”

“We go on early tomorrow morning. You have to be there.”

“I will be there.”

For some reason, her frown lines deepened. Jaxson’s face was smooth, but I knew him and his tension read in the taut line of his shoulders.

“What part of this ‘isn’t a vacation’ don’t you get?”

I stiffened. What is her problem? It’s just one night.

“Serena, if I don’t follow through or let you guys down, come for me. I’ll deserve it. But don’t get on me for not leaving my girlfriend by herself in a new city. I’ll be on time tomorrow. That’s all you need to worry about.”

Serena opened her mouth.

“I’m stuck between the shrimp beignets and the sweet potato,” Brant spoke up. “What’s everyone else having?”

The bomb defused and we shifted into awkward silence, and eventually, small talk when Chandler asked me how school was going. Soon we relaxed and focused on the sweet and savory beignets—ordering almost every beignet on the menu and splitting them.

Throughout the meal, Serena didn’t say or do anything that could be construed as unkind, but I picked up on her habit of steering the conversation toward the band, recording in the studio, and getting ready for the set. Effectively boxing me out of the conversation.

I’m being paranoid, I thought. I get the feeling the band is on her mind twenty-four seven. I shouldn’t read into it. Besides, Jaxson would let me know if I had something to worry about.

We wrapped up our food and headed out. Beyond Berlin had a soundcheck.

Jaxson and I stood to the side waiting for the cab.

“So, that talk with Serena,” I began, “about boundaries and remembering she doesn’t own you. Looks like it didn’t take.”

Jaxson gazed across at the willowy redhead. “Honestly, Val, I don’t think that’s it. She’s been getting handsy lately. Touching my leg. Hugging me from behind. Falling against me when she laughs. And somehow, she’s not hearing me say back up.”

I dropped his arm, eyes flaring. “Excuse me?”

I said Jaxson would tell me if I had something to worry about... and he just did.

“What the fuck does she think she’s doing?” I gritted out.

“Barking up the wrong tree.” Jaxson stroked my cheek. “I’d never lie to you, baby. Ever. Serena’s been stepping over the line, but I’ll push her ass back. You have nothing to worry about.”

I took a deep breath and let it go. “I know. I trust you completely.” I grasped his cheek in turn, smiling wide. “But if her ass doesn’t get back over the line today, I’ll push her myself.”

“Understood.”

Jaxson opted for a second cab. We dropped him at the festival first to get ready and I continued on to the hotel to check in and shower.

The room was even better than the photographs. Rose petals decorated the pillows and candles floating in crystal clear water waited for us to light. It was rare these days that the boys and I indulged in a romantic getaway. Between school, work, and Adam, we always had a strong reason to stay home. I had one night in New Orleans with Jaxson and, his work aside, we would make the most of it.

I cleaned up and grabbed another ride out to the festival. Jaxson asked me to meet him at stage 3R and hooked me up with passes to let me run free.

Stepping on the grounds again, I melded into the throng of head-bobbing music lovers. They streamed through the place munching on food truck treats and consulting their maps on where to go next. I found stage 3R easily. The biggest stage positioned near the entrance. No one could miss it. This was one festival in one city, but I’d say a spot like this was proof Beyond Berlin was on their way up.

Official people holding clipboards and sporting earpieces wandered up and down the stage. My Jaxson was one of them. He stood off to the side speaking to the band, pointing and