Page 131 of Just Wait

I peek over at Malcolm to check if this is going to turn into an old-school fistfight in a parking lot. We haven’t had one of those since Drew left, but they used to be common back in the day when we were getting the hang of being a fully functioning band.

The good thing with the guys is, once whoever is involved fights it out, it’s almost always put to bed with no hard feelings.

Only, Mal doesn’t look pissed. The smile that tips his lips gives the impression that he’s amused.

“Hell is obviously about to freeze over.” Mal chuckles. “I don’t think you’ve apologized to me in the six years that I’ve known you.” He uncrosses his arms and steps over, bear-hugging K. “It’s okay. I forgive you. It’s nice to see that you’re human too. I’ve wondered at times.”

I laugh as Kincaid shoves Mal away, muttering under his breath.

“I still don’t know how I got stuck with you idiots,” he says, meeting my eyes. “By the way, it’s almost your birthday. We gotta make plans.”

Ehh, I’m kinda freaked out about this birthday. The twenty-seven club is notorious for taking out musicians, and I don’t want to risk being part of that statistic.

I’d rather settle in and spoil Lumen.

If we do it right, she might overlook how fucked up we are and actually decide to stay with us long term.

Possibly.

If we get extremely lucky.

The trip to Wilmington, North Carolina takes almost no time. It’s easier for me to sleep when the bus is moving, which leads to me being up way before I’d like to be.

Kincaid slept in the back bedroom with Lumen last night, and I’m surprised to see him up for his pre-show routine. He has this thing about needing to do a bunch of push-ups, jumping jacks, and sit-ups on show days.

Sometimes he saves them to do at the venue right before the show, but with Lumen around, he’s been mostly handling them when he goes to the gym.

He tries to talk me into coming with him, to which I decline. Less than a half hour later, he ends up dragging Mal off the bus with him.

I fuck around on my phone, waiting for anyone else to wake up. I’m not sure we’ve played in Wilmington before. From what I remember, we usually stick to the west side of the state.

I haven’t bothered to check the schedule recently, but just based on memory, I believe we’re headed that way after the two shows here.

The door at the back of the bus opens while I’m examining the pictures from the club show last night. The forums are filled with speculation about who Wren is, but the fans have correctly guessed that Lumen is dating one of us.

Technically, they’re slightly off since she’s dating all three of us.

Does she know that?

Maybe we need to ask?

Shit.

I’m so out of practice when it comes to dating anyone.

Lumen’s hands are full, but it’s the look on her face that pulls me from my seat. I drop my phone on the couch, stand, and cross the room, meeting her at the mouth of the hallway.

“The lawyer just called,” she says, shoving her phone at me. “Can you answer if they try again? I don’t want to miss another call, and I’m having a bathroom emergency.”

“Yeah.” I take her phone, nodding. “I can do that, but you can call them back when it’s convenient.”

“Yeah, I guess,” she admits, frowning. “Sorry. It’s been a rough morning, and my anxiety is through the roof.”

My head tilts, and I bring my free hand to cup her cheek. Although I want to comfort her, I’m also covertly checking her temperature. Hers seems on par with mine.

“Are you okay?”

“I will be.” She smiles tightly. “Is there any way you can help me schedule a trip to the store? It’s an emergency.”