Wicked (Somerset University #2) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,66
to my favorites list. I wish you all could be here.”
“We don’t take enough vacations. Why don’t we make it a tradition to go to this or another music festival every year?”
“I would love that. Even if it’s not a festival and we just get away and spend time together. Away from the craziness that’s become synonymous with our lives.”
“I’m all for another ski trip. We’ll finally do it right.”
“Cocoa by the fire. Snowball fights. Racing the slopes.”
“Yeah, we can do that stuff in between.”
“I swear.” I reclined, pushing the suds around with my toes. “One-track mind. All four of you.”
“Five of us. You’re thinking the same.”
“True. We can get to that other stuff if we ever leave the room.”
“We won’t,” he growled. “I’ll book us a cabin tonight. Hope you didn’t have other plans for winter break.”
I dropped my smile. “Oh, wait. There is one thing. I have to sell Mrs. Kessler on a charity dinner during the break. I won’t schedule it too close to Christmas, so you’re good to whisk me away around then.”
“Okay.”
We talked a little more about my day. As the water cooled, I glanced at the screen for the time and lit on Jaxson’s name.
“I have to go. Jaxson will be here soon.”
“All right, bye. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
I ended the call and tapped open on Jaxson.
Jaxson: Baby, this isn’t easy for me to tell you. I’ve been thinking a lot about our relationship and I can’t do this anymore. I never wanted to share. I only agreed because it was the only way I could be with you, but deep down I thought you’d one day choose me. I can’t wait for that day anymore, mama. It’s over, Val. I’ve found someone else. You should just go home.
The cell nearly slipped from my fingers and plunged into the bath. I read that text once, twice, a dozen times and each read splintered my heart deeper.
I found someone else.
“Jaxson’s breaking up with me?” I rasped.
Why would he do this? We had so much fun. He seemed happy. Said he loved me so many times I lost count. Why?!
“No.” My mind rebelled. This didn’t make sense. I’ve been with Jaxson since I was sixteen years old. I know him better than I do myself. Sharing me with the boys never bothered him, and if it did, I would have seen it.
“This can’t be real.” I shot out of the tub, dripping water everywhere, rushing to my backpack. I dialed Jaxson as I shoved my clothes on.
It rang and rang. Voicemail picked up.
“Jaxson, baby, call me as soon as you get this.”
It was almost seven thirty. Beyond Berlin should be wrapping it up, but I couldn’t wait for Jaxson to get to the hotel. Some twisted piece of shit had his phone because it wasn’t possible my Jaxson would leave me—let alone end a four-year relationship over text while I waited for him surrounded by bubbles and rose petals.
When I find the shit who wrote this, I’m drowning them in these bubbles.
Jamming on my shoes, I burst into the hall still damp from my bath. My clothes stuck to my body and the phone stuck to my ear. Ringing and ringing.
“You’ve reached Jaxson. I obviously can’t get to the phone right now. Leave a message and I’ll hit you up.”
I took the stairs two at a time, jabbing redial.
The concierge jumped when I half fell on his desk. “Ma’am? Is there a problem?”
“I need you to call a cab, please. To the NOLA music festival.”
“Certainly, ma’am. If you’d like to wait in the lounge, I’ll let you know when it arrives.”
“You’ve reached Jaxson. I—”
I hung up and dialed again. “Thank you,” I threw at the man.
“You’ve reached Jaxson. I obviously can’t—”
I tried Jaxson over and over again on the car ride through the city. He wasn’t picking up which solidified that someone else had his phone. The real Jaxson wouldn’t ghost me like this. He’d own the text like he owned everything he said and did.
The cab rolled to a stop before the entrance and I was out in the middle of his goodbye. I passed off a wad of cash through the window and took off, pushing through a crowd surging in the opposite direction. The festival was wrapping up. The headliners making for their buses and hotels. And Jaxson meant to be coming back to me.
Where are you?
Stage 3R loomed in the distance. The lights were on but the music wasn’t. The set