Falling Between the Notes (Nicholas Galitzine)

Chapter 54: Burning Bridges

Nick's POV

The door to my hotel room slammed shut behind me, the sound echoing in the otherwise silent space. I didn't bother turning on the lights; the dim glow from the city outside was enough. My pulse thundered in my ears as I threw my phone onto the bed, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. The jealousy, the anger—it was all boiling over, and I couldn't stop it.

One hour. It had been one hour since I called her. Since I sent that message. And yet, not a word back. No explanation. Just silence.

I ran a hand through my hair, tugging at the roots as my mind spiraled. What was she doing? Why hadn't she answered? I told myself she was busy packing up after the show, surrounded by her team, maybe too tired to check her phone. But the rational explanations didn't stick. Instead, darker thoughts crept in, twisting and gnawing at me.

Was she with him?

The image burned in my brain: Harry standing there in the front row, grinning like he owned the place while Jade laughed and winked at him. She'd picked him for that stupid Juno performance. She'd handed him those fuzzy handcuffs, flirted with him in front of thousands. Jade Styles. The crowd loved it. He loved it. And I was stuck here, thousands of miles away, watching it all unfold on a shaky livestream.

My chest tightened as I grabbed my phone off the bed, my thumb swiping aimlessly through Instagram. I wasn't even sure what I was looking for—proof, maybe? A sign that she wasn't doing anything wrong. That I was just being paranoid.

And then I saw it.

Harry's post.

Four photos. All of her. Performing. Stunning. Sexy. The stage lights made her sparkle like a dream, her confidence radiating in every shot. But it wasn't the pictures that set me off—it was the caption.

Came to see @Jade_Collins in her #ShortNSweettour! Amazing show, amazing music, sexy scenery and beautiful artist. Always a pleasure being with you, Jade. Let's talk again soon?... Much love. -H.

The phone shook in my hand as I read it again. And again.

"Fucking unbelievable," I muttered, my voice low and sharp as I dropped onto the edge of the bed. My heart pounded in my chest, my head spinning with rage. Let's talk again soon? What the hell did that mean? Much love? What was he trying to do—stake some kind of claim? Was this his way of marking territory?

A bitter laugh escaped me as I stared at the screen, my stomach churning. He'd called her sexy. Posted her online. He'd made it clear—he wanted her. And what was she doing about it? Ignoring me.

I clenched my jaw, scrolling through the comments. Fans were eating it up, speculating, shipping them together like it was some kind of joke.

"Oh my God, he still loves her!"
"Harry and Jade forever!"
"Nick could NEVER."

I tossed the phone onto the bed, my hands fisting at my sides. The jealousy was unbearable, clawing at my chest and squeezing the air out of my lungs. I trusted Jade—I had to remind myself of that. But Harry? He was a wildcard, the ex-boyfriend who'd stepped in when I'd failed her. And now he was trying to worm his way back into her life, into her head.

And maybe he already had.

"Damn it," I hissed, running a hand over my face. Every second that passed without a response from her felt like another crack in the foundation. She knew how I felt about him. She knew what this would do to me. So why the hell wasn't she answering?

I grabbed my phone again, scrolling back to our messages. The last thing I'd sent stared back at me: Jade Styles? Cute. Petty, yes. But she knew exactly what I meant. She knew I was pissed. And she hadn't even tried to explain.