Falling Between the Notes (Nicholas Galitzine)

Chapter 42: Reaching Out

Jade's POV

The soft glow of the city lights filtered through the curtains, casting long shadows across the hotel room. I sat on the edge of the bed, my arms wrapped around my knees as I stared at my phone. It had been buzzing constantly—Nick's name flashing across the screen over and over again. Every time I saw it, my heart clenched, but I still couldn't bring myself to answer.

I wiped at my eyes, feeling the sting of leftover tears. I wasn't crying anymore, but the heaviness in my chest hadn't lifted. It lingered there, a dull ache, a reminder of everything that had happened tonight.

The night was supposed to be about Nick. His premiere. His big moment. And yet, somehow, it had turned into something else—something I hadn't expected. Jenna had shown up, looking every bit the part of the gorgeous co-star, and Nick... Nick had let himself get swept into her orbit. Again.

I didn't want to feel this way. I didn't want to be jealous or insecure. But seeing them together, laughing, taking pictures, while I stood alone in that theater for two hours... It was like I didn't matter. Like I was invisible.

My phone buzzed again, pulling me out of my thoughts. It was another text from Nick.

Nick:
I'm at the hotel. Please, Jade. Talk to me.

I tossed the phone onto the bed, feeling the knot in my stomach twist tighter. Part of me wanted to call him back, to let him explain, to hear the words I knew he was going to say. But the other part—the part that was still raw from everything—wasn't ready. Not yet.

Nick's POV

I stood in the hotel lobby, frustration bubbling up inside me as I stared at the front desk. I had tried everything. I'd called her, texted her, left voicemails. Hell, I had even tried to get the receptionist to tell me what room she was in, but no one would give me any answers.

"Please," I said, my voice low but urgent. "She's my girlfriend. I just need to know where she is."

The receptionist looked sympathetic but shook her head. "I'm sorry, Mr. Galitzine, but Miss Collins requested complete privacy. I can't give you her room number."

I sighed, rubbing a hand over my face. This wasn't how tonight was supposed to go. I had screwed up—again—and now Jade was somewhere in this hotel, hurt, angry, and completely unreachable.

I turned away from the desk, pacing the length of the lobby as I tried to think of what to do next. I couldn't just leave things like this. I couldn't let her sit up there, thinking that Jenna meant anything more than a co-star.

Suddenly, an idea struck me. I pulled out my phone and texted her again, this time with something different.

Nick:
I'm writing you a note and leaving it at the front desk. Please pick it up. I'll be in the lobby waiting for you.

Jade's POV

I heard the buzz of my phone again, and for some reason, this time, I reached for it. When I read Nick's latest message, my heart skipped a beat.

He had written me a note.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I stared at the screen. Part of me wanted to stay in the room, to keep hiding from this conversation. But the other part of me—the part that loved him, that knew he wasn't a bad person—needed to know what he had to say.

With a shaky breath, I stood up and walked to the door. The elevator ride down to the lobby felt longer than it should have, and by the time the doors slid open, my chest was tight with anticipation.