Page 41 of Just Wait

Ex-boyfriend.

I flinch.

Wow.

That’s unreal.

Although I didn’t forget what happened, my brain hasn’t had time to get accustomed to the change. We’ve lived together for a year, which is crazy, but he moved in with me like a month after we started dating. It felt natural, not forced, and he was so easy to be around.

“Damn, what did I say now?” Malcolm asks. “I was trying to fix my mistake, and it looks like I only made you more upset.”

My eyes pop open. I don’t even know when I closed them.

I stretch my hand over and rest it on Malcolm’s.

“You didn’t do anything wrong. You have nothing to apologize for.” I smile, but it’s plastic. “You’ve gone out of your way to look out for me, and I can’t thank you enough. You’re a great guy, Malcolm.”

“Yeah.” He laughs derisively. “So great that I didn’t even consider how it would affect you to be around groupies right after everything that happened.”

“I’ve been watching women hang all over Theo and his bandmates for over a month,” I say, running my thumb along the side of his hand. “It’s nothing new. I didn’t panic because of them.”

“Was it the reporter’s question?” He moves to hold his head up with his palm as he watches me carefully. “I shut him down right away. I purposely avoided saying your name when I responded because I didn’t know if you’d be comfortable with it being out there.”

“I appreciate it,” I tell him. “I’m hoping that story doesn’t take off. I had a bunch of missed calls and texts tonight from everyone from my family to friends to people I haven’t talked to in years. I still don’t understand how they’re sure it was me.”

“Sometimes the press gets behind-the-gate access,” Malcolm says. “There were a few reporters back there tonight. I don’t know who it was, but at least one got up-close-and-personal pictures of us. I’m so fucking sorry, Lumen. If it helps, they were killer photos. We both look really hot.”

“Oh, God.” I bark a laugh that ends up coming out sounding hysterical. “So it’s not just the grainy cell phone footage that I saw?”

He grimaces.

“But it will die down eventually, right?” I ask as my mind spins.

“It always does,” he says, his tone almost cautious.

Does he think I’m about to freak out on him?

Maybe I’ve hit my limit for tonight, but I don’t have the energy to melt down on anyone.

“Thank you for coming to my rescue,” I say, patting his hand before pulling mine away. “I don’t even know if I said that, but you showed up twice tonight when I really needed a friendly face, and it means a lot.”

“I spotted you when I was on stage…” His lips blow together. “I panicked. You looked scared, and I couldn’t figure out why you were down there to begin with. Benji bitched me out, but it was worth it.” He grins. “I never get to play the knight in shining armor.”

I laugh. “That’s surprising. You did an amazing job.”

His crystal blue eyes darken, and my heart beats funny.

I wasn’t just trying to boost his confidence. He truly has come to rescue me at two clutch moments. If he needs a little verbal reassurance, I can give him a bunch of sincere compliments.

“By the way,” he says, a dangerous smirk tipping his lips. “We’re in Charleston tomorrow. I’m ninety percent sure I remember the venue from our last tour. You’re going to love the practice setup. It’s in this room they use for theater shows, so it’s smaller than the main performance hall, but the acoustics are fucking insane.”

“I’ll probably hide on the bus all day,” I say, swallowing thickly. “I mean, if it’s okay, and it won’t be a problem for anyone. I need to make some calls and see who I can beg to take me in.”

It’ll also decrease the chances I’ll run into Theo.

Malcolm’s face falls, and my stomach twists.

“I guess I could come and watch you guys practice,” I blurt out to stop the uncomfortable ache in my gut.