Falling Between the Notes (Nicholas Galitzine)

Chapter 64: Headlines and Heartbreak

Nick's POV

TMZ: Jade Collins Spotted in Miami—What's She Up To?

E! News: Jade Collins Lands in Miami Amid Music Speculation—New Album on the Way?

Page Six: Jade Collins Flies to Miami—Studio Sessions or Just a Vacation?

Hollywood Life: Jade Collins Stuns in Miami—Who's She Meeting With?

I stared at the headlines, the glow of my phone illuminating the darkness of my car. My jaw was clenched so tight it ached, but I couldn't bring myself to loosen it.

She actually fucking went.

I didn't know what pissed me off more—the fact that she was in Miami at all or the fact that she didn't hesitate.

It had been hours since our fight, hours since she'd hung up on me and left me stewing in my own anger. She hadn't called. She hadn't texted. She hadn't even fucking hesitated before getting on that plane.

I scrubbed a hand over my face, leaning back against the headrest. I wasn't at the gym anymore—I had left hours ago. I had driven. Aimlessly, with no real direction, letting the streets of LA blur past me as I tried—and failed—to push Jade out of my mind.

I'd ended up at some empty lookout point, high above the city, where the skyline stretched out below me like something out of a movie. The city lights flickered like static, the occasional honk of a car below breaking the quiet hum of the night.

And yet, even here, miles away from everything, I still felt restless.

Still felt furious.

I drummed my fingers against the steering wheel, my pulse hammering in my throat. I shouldn't have texted her. I knew that. But I had zero self-control when it came to her—especially when she did shit like this.

I wanted her to know I was pissed. I wanted her to know that this wasn't just something I could brush off.

I picked up my phone again, staring at the message thread. She hadn't responded.

I exhaled sharply, gripping my phone tighter.

Nick: So I guess that's it then. You didn't even wait a full 24 hours before running to Miami.

Nick: Hope he makes it worth it.

Nick: Since clearly what we had wasn't enough for you.

I hit send, then immediately tossed my phone onto the passenger seat, my hands gripping the steering wheel so hard my knuckles went white.

I wasn't going to check if she responded.

Because I already knew she wouldn't.

Jade's POV

The Miami heat clung to my skin the moment I stepped out of the airport, a stark contrast to the cold, hollow ache sitting heavy in my chest.

I pulled my sunglasses down, adjusting my bag over my shoulder as I followed Leslie toward the waiting car. Paparazzi were already there, cameras flashing, shouting my name, but I didn't even register their words.

I was too lost in my head.

Too lost in him.

My phone buzzed in my hand, and for a second, I hesitated before looking down.

Nick.

My breath hitched as I read the messages, each one hitting harder than the last.

So I guess that's it then. You didn't even wait a full 24 hours before running to Miami.
Hope he makes it worth it.
Since clearly what we had wasn't enough for you.

My chest tightened, my fingers trembling slightly as I locked my phone and shoved it into my bag.

God, he was infuriating.

I knew he was mad. I knew this was exactly how he'd react, but seeing the words still made something in me crack.

I had spent the entire flight convincing myself that I was right to do this, that I wasn't going to let Nick's jealousy control me. That I was done feeling suffocated by his possessiveness.

And then he had to send that.

Leslie glanced at me as we slid into the backseat of the car, her sharp gaze instantly picking up on my mood. "What happened?"

I swallowed, shaking my head. "Nothing."

She raised a brow. "Uh-huh. And yet you look like you want to throw your phone out the window."

I sighed, rubbing my temple. "Nick texted me."

Leslie's expression didn't shift. She had seen the fallout of our relationship too many times to be surprised. "What did he say?"

I hesitated before unlocking my phone and handing it to her. She took one glance at the messages before exhaling sharply.

"Jesus," she muttered. "He's really bad at this."

"Tell me about it," I mumbled, slumping against the seat.

She handed the phone back. "Are you gonna answer?"

I clenched my jaw. "No."

I wasn't going to entertain this. I refused to.

Leslie didn't push, but I could feel her watching me as I stared out the window, my mind spinning.

Nick didn't trust me. That much was clear. And honestly? That hurt more than anything.

I understood why he was jealous—I wasn't stupid. But I wasn't going to apologize for doing something good for my career. I wasn't going to stop my life because he couldn't handle it.

This wasn't Harry. This wasn't some secret relationship I was hiding.

This was work.

And if Nick couldn't get that, then maybe he really wasn't the person I thought he was.

My chest tightened at the thought, a lump forming in my throat.

I loved him. God, I loved him. But I was tired.

Tired of always having to fight for my independence.
Tired of feeling like I had to prove my loyalty to him over and over again.
Tired of the fucking jealousy.

"Are you okay?" Leslie asked, her voice softer now.

I swallowed hard, nodding. "Yeah. Just... tired."

She didn't look convinced, but she let it go, turning her attention to her phone.

I exhaled slowly, leaning my head back against the seat as the car sped down the highway, the Miami skyline glowing in the distance.

I was here.

I had made my decision.

And whether Nick liked it or not, I wasn't going to change my mind.

A/N 

Heeeelp! I don't know if Nick and Jade will be endgame, or if their story will have a sad ending.