Falling Between the Notes (Nicholas Galitzine)

Chapter 52: Burning Jealousy

Nick's POV

The city outside my window was bustling, the hum of life echoing through the streets of New York, but inside my hotel room, it felt suffocatingly quiet. I was seated on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at my open suitcase. My suit for tonight's event hung on the back of the chair, perfectly pressed, but I couldn't bring myself to get ready just yet.

It wasn't the event that was weighing on me—it was Jade.

She was in London tonight, and while I should've been nothing but supportive, I couldn't shake the knot of jealousy twisting in my gut. She'd looked breathtaking in the photos and videos she'd sent me before heading out for soundcheck—hair perfectly styled, her dress hugging every curve. And tonight, in front of thousands of screaming fans, she'd be on stage in one of those tight little bodysuits that drove me mad every time I saw her in one.

But it wasn't just the way she looked that had me spiraling. It was who would be in the audience.

Harry.

He'd messaged her about coming to the show, and as much as I wanted to brush it off, it was eating at me. The guy had history with her—history that started when I messed everything up. He'd been there when I wasn't, a shoulder to cry on, someone who made her smile when I'd been the reason for her tears.

And now? He was in the crowd, watching her perform, 4,000 miles away, on another goddamn continent.

I ran a hand through my hair, letting out a frustrated sigh.

"He doesn't have a chance," I muttered to myself, though the words felt hollow. Jade loved me. I knew that. But still, the idea of her ex being there, so close to her, stirred something ugly inside me.

To distract myself, I grabbed my phone and opened Instagram. It wasn't the best idea—I knew that—but I couldn't help myself. I started scrolling aimlessly, but I was looking for something specific.

Something that would confirm he was already there.

My thumb hovered over the search bar for a second before I typed in Jade's handle. Her feed loaded instantly, and right at the top was a new post. My stomach clenched when I saw the picture she'd just uploaded.

It was taken from backstage, the vanity mirror casting her in a golden glow. She was facing away from the camera, her blonde curls cascading down her back as she adjusted the sparkling bodysuit she was wearing. It clung to her body in all the right places, the rhinestones catching the light, and I felt my pulse quicken.

The caption read, "30 minutes to go! London, 'Juno' I'm so excited to see you!"

"Bloody hell," I muttered under my breath, my jaw tightening as I stared at the screen.

The first thing that hit me was how irresistible she looked, but then the words sunk in—Juno.

I knew exactly what that meant. Every show, during that song, she'd pick someone from the crowd to be her "Juno boy." It was harmless, just a bit of fun, but it didn't feel harmless right now. Not with Harry there. Not with him in the front row, where she always picked someone from.

My grip tightened on the phone as I kept scrolling, and that's when I saw it.

He'd liked the picture.

Harry bloody Styles had liked the post.

"Unbelievable," I muttered, tossing my phone onto the bed. My jaw ached from how tightly I was clenching it, but I couldn't help it. The image of him sitting there, in the front row, smiling up at her like he had any right to be a part of this moment, made my blood boil.