Page 114 of Just Wait

“Real quick, let’s talk,” I say, keeping my voice barely above a whisper. “You saw how nervous Lumen was about the STI test. I think you should give her some space until the results come in.”

Malcolm’s forehead wrinkles. “It’s really not a big deal to me.” He shrugs, trying to walk past me.

“Okay, let me put it to you this way,” I say, shoving him back again. “It wouldn’t be a big deal to you, but if she caught something from her shitty ex and gave it to you, that would be a pretty fucking big deal to her. You feel me?”

“Gotcha,” Mal says, rocking on his heels. “Bad news alert incoming. I’ve already done way more with Lumen without a condom than anyone in my life. So, yeah, it’s probably already too late.”

Does no one have any self-control anymore?

I mean, it’s not like I’ve never fucked on a first date or even without a date, but she’s only a few days out from a breakup after a year-long relationship.

“Jesus, Mal.” I finally release his chest, taking a step back. “We should have the results in a few days. Just give her some breathing room until then.”

It’s not like the tour medical staff keeps everything on hand. The tests had to be sent out to a lab, but the nurse practitioner assured us it was marked for rushed processing.

“Nah,” he says firmly. “I’m not pulling back and risking hurting her feelings.” He takes off as my head falls back, and I stare at the ceiling.

Sometimes I wonder how he’s still alive.

Other times, I’m pretty sure I’m as fucked up, just in different ways, so I probably shouldn’t judge.

The second show in Columbia goes off without a hitch. They put us in our masks, and it’s a pain to wear them for the after-party and interviews, but we deal.

Maybe we’re all exhausted because everyone calls it an early night. The next morning, I have to pry everyone out of bed to pack, and the roadies come to the hotel to load the vans with our bags while we head to the venue to practice. Since we had to be out of the suite by noon, we practice early and have quite a few hours to kill before the show.

The buses are back, but I have other plans in mind, at least for me and Lumen. I give Mal and Riser a quick heads-up, rush through my post-practice shower, and make my way out to the greenroom.

Wren is stretched out over one of the chairs with her headphones in and a bored look on her face as she scrolls on her phone.

Whatever Tennyson owes her brother must be huge. There’s no other reason he would agree to drag her around on tour with us when he’s been so shitty about being stuck with her. If he liked the woman or considered her a friend, that would be totally different.

Lumen smiles, popping off the couch when she spots me. She meets me in the middle of the room and swipes the bottom of my hair off my shirt. “Your hair puts you in the running for a killer wet T-shirt contest.”

“Damn, you’re right. I’ve got my nipples on full display.” I chuckle, shaking my head. “I’m still not cutting my hair.”

Seeing her come out of her shell is an excellent sign that she’s finally getting comfortable with all of us.

“Women everywhere would cry if you did, so I agree. Good call.”

“We have a few hours to kill,” I say, clearing my throat. “How do you feel about hitting the town with me?”

Her head tilts, and my stomach tightens as I wait for her answer.

“Yeah, that sounds great.”

A slow, dangerous smile breaks out on my face.

Now is when I commence wooing the fuck out of Lumen.

The security team comes in clutch, taking us to a trendy little downtown area with a multitude of shops. The best part is that they manage to do it without us being followed from the venue by the wall of paps.

Who the fuck knows why they’re so honed in on us all of a sudden, but they’re more ruthless than I remember them being before everything went down with Drew.

Kasey won’t be on duty until later, and I’ve been considering asking Benji to find someone else to keep an eye on Wren so Kasey can stay fully focused on Lumen. That might just push our manager over the edge, so for now, I’m going to hold off until we see how tonight goes.

I toss an arm around Lumen’s shoulder as we make our way down the shaded sidewalk. The oak trees are beautiful, and there’s a nice breeze.

She didn’t fight me at all when I moved her to the side farthest from the street, and I love how she leans against my chest like she’s completely comfortable touching me.