Falling Between the Notes (Nicholas Galitzine)

Chapter 40: The Morning After

Nick's POV

The streets of Dallas were quiet as I drove through the city, making my way to the bar where Jade, Selena, and Ariana were still hanging out. It was late—much later than I had anticipated—and though I was trying to be patient, the lingering frustration from earlier in the night hadn't faded. Jade had been teasing me all night on stage, and now I had to deal with the fact that she was out getting drunk with her friends while I sat alone in the hotel room.

But when my phone buzzed and I got that drunk text from her, I couldn't help but laugh. She was clearly wasted, and while I was itching to have her all to myself after that performance, I knew better than to push it. She had been having a blast with Selena and Ariana, and I wasn't going to ruin that for her.

I pulled up outside the bar, the neon lights casting a soft glow on the sidewalk. It didn't take long to spot them. Jade was leaning against Selena, giggling uncontrollably, while Ariana waved her hands around animatedly, probably telling some story or another. They looked like they were having the time of their lives, but the second Jade saw me, her face lit up.

"Nick!" she slurred, stumbling forward with a wide grin plastered on her face. She reached out for me, her body swaying as she closed the distance between us. "You're hereeee!"

I caught her in my arms, laughing as she nearly toppled over. "Yeah, I'm here," I said, wrapping my arms around her to steady her. "Looks like you've had a good time."

"Ohhh, the best," she mumbled, her head resting against my chest. "We danced... and drank... and now I wanna go home with youuuu."

I chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "We'll get you home, don't worry."

I glanced over at Selena and Ariana, who were both watching us with amused expressions. "Ready to head back?" I asked them, nodding toward the car.

"Absolutely," Selena said, stifling a yawn. "We're staying at the Hyatt, by the way."

Ariana grinned, giving Jade a playful nudge. "You've got a good man here, Jade. Make sure to thank him tomorrow when you're sober."

Jade laughed, though the sound was more of a drunken giggle. "I'll thank him allll night long," she slurred, her words heavy with innuendo. I rolled my eyes, trying to keep a straight face.

"Let's get you into the car before you say something else," I teased, guiding her toward the passenger seat while Selena and Ariana climbed into the back.

The ride to their hotel was filled with laughter and chatter, mostly from Ariana, who seemed to be the least drunk of the three. Jade sat beside me, humming along to the song playing softly on the radio, her head resting against the window. Every now and then, she'd start slurring the lyrics to whatever song was playing, her voice too soft to catch all the words, but it was clear she was still in her own little world.

"Nick, you know what?" she said suddenly, turning to look at me with half-lidded eyes. "I love you. Like... sooooo much."

I smiled, glancing at her briefly before returning my eyes to the road. "I love you too, Jade."

"You're the best," she continued, her words tumbling over one another. "And you're hot. Like, really hot. I wanna—"

"Okay, okay," I laughed, cutting her off before she could finish that thought. "Let's get you home first, alright?"

Selena and Ariana were laughing quietly in the back, and I could feel the tension between us shifting into something lighter. Jade was in full drunk-girl mode now, and while I was definitely frustrated that our plans for the night had taken a different turn, it was hard not to find her absolutely adorable like this.