Chapter 19 – Lumen
Chapter Nineteen
Lumen
Being packed into the back of a limo with Liminal is surreal. They’re dressed to the nines. I mean, they’re not in tuxedos or anything, but they look like fancy rock gods.
I wore a white dress with lace around the arms, hem, and cups. It’s tight around my chest and flows out afterward, falling a few inches down my thighs. I paired it with a chunky dark-gray cardigan that I keep off my shoulders. I brought it in case I get cold, but I’m considering peeling it off.
The limo has air conditioning, and it’s doing a solid job. I just would rather not risk getting sweaty while surrounded by a bunch of guys I barely know.
I could never muster being embarrassed around Theo’s bandmates, but that’s probably because I knew them long before they were famous. I wonder sometimes if how I feel around Liminal is how the fans feel when they meet Theo and the guys from Tangled Desires.
It’s probably comparable.
My dress isn’t fancy compared to some of the clothes I brought on tour, but I feel cute.
I wore a pair of short, dark-gray open-toe heels that complete the outfit. Hopefully it’s versatile enough to fit in whether we’re going out to eat or to a club. Where exactly we’re going to end up, I have no idea.
Mal told me it was a surprise, but he also warned me not to go too overboard with stilettos or boots.
I almost asked if we were going bowling.
That would be a nightmare.
I’m not a bowler.
Also, my dress is so short that I will flash everyone my ass every time I throw the ball.
The only saving grace is that I can’t imagine these guys ever going bowling.
I’m wedged between Malcolm and Kincaid on one side of the limo while Parish and Tennyson are across from us. Riser ended up on the back seat alone.
Kincaid and I climbed in before everyone else. I was surprised Malcolm didn’t sit next to Riser. It would have put two of us on each seat, but I got the feeling he wanted to be able to throw his arm around my shoulder.
Mal pulls out his phone, getting close to my ear. “Smile for me, baby doll. Don’t worry. I’m not going to post it. I just want some pictures of us.”
I smile, leaning into him, and he snaps a few pictures.
Shit.
I’m starting to wonder if I’m being unfair to Mal. He’s a great distraction from my heartbreak, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to use him to keep myself busy.
I better understand why Tennyson made a point of telling me to get lost soon if I intended to leave.
“You care if I send this one to my mom?” Malcolm asks close to my ear.
His nose dances from my throat, up my jaw, and across my cheek.
Pulling back, he smiles brightly. “I like to keep her and my dads updated on how my life is going so they don’t call nonstop when shit pops up in the press.
They’ve gotten better about it over the years, but they’re gullible. ”
It’s those fucking dimples.
How could anyone say no to them?
I’m certainly not strong enough to.
“Go for it,” I say, nodding.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask him what he’s going to say to her about who I am, but I close my mouth, copping out.
We’ve known each other for a few days.
I’m sure he’ll just tell her I’m one of the fans.
It’s slightly cooler in Columbia, or maybe the breeze is to thank.
Malcolm is a beast at mini golf.
All the guys are better than I am.
There are miniature golf places all over Clearwater, where Theo and I used to live, but we never went.
I frown at my ball, wondering if I should just give up and follow the guys around while they finish their game.
Malcolm watches Riser take his shot, rubbing his hands together like a cartoon villain. Who knew he was so competitive when it comes to mini golf? I certainly didn’t, but Mal is definitely slated to win unless someone pulls out a miracle.
Tennyson and Parish made it two holes before giving up and going back inside to play arcade games. I would have joined them, but I didn’t want to cramp their style when I know they’re looking to find someone to hook up with tonight.
I snort at the thought.
Does anyone meet prospective sexual partners at gaming centers? Hell, they’re rock stars. I bet they could pick up chicks at a dollar store.
Kincaid saunters over, his long blond hair and bright teal eyes standing out in stark contrast to his tan skin and black leather jacket. “How many strokes are you up to on this one?”
I snort, shaking my head. “Five.”
“Fuck.” He laughs.
“Yeah, the rules said to stop at six and move to the next hole.” I shrug. “Mini golf is not my game.”
“It’s not mine either,” he says, stepping to the side. “All right, take your shot. I can’t be the only one praying for this to be over so we can finally play some real games.”
“On the way over, I worried we might be going bowling based on the clues Malcolm gave me. If I knew then what I know now…” I chuckle, stepping up beside my ball and bending my knees, like Malcolm and Riser showed me. “I would have at least had a chance if we’d gone bowling.”
Some random guys behind me laugh obnoxiously, and I don’t even get to take my swing.
Kincaid slides up behind me, leaning around my back and framing my arms with his. “You were close to flashing them your ass.”
“I knew I should have worn jeans,” I mutter.
“Nah, you’re dressed perfectly for where we’re going next,” he says, his warm breath fanning down my neck and making my heart race. “I’ll just stick with you and make sure you’re covered when it’s your turn.”
His hazelnut scent hits my system, and I once again have the urge to bury my face in his chest.
The fact he’s literally wrapped around me doesn’t help me keep my composure, and my shot goes so wild that it jumps the small barrier and lands in the decorative pond.
“Shit,” I grumble, stomping my foot. “Well, it’s official. I suck at mini golf.”
Not only did I embarrass myself in front of one of the hottest guys I’ve ever seen, I also managed to grind my ass against his jeans while swinging my club.
“Yeah, me too,” Kincaid says, finally releasing me. “Come on. Let’s check things out inside. I’ll buy you some fries or nachos while we wait for Riser and Mal.”
I nod, licking my lips as I turn to face him.
I love it when he takes control, and I can just give in and follow instructions. With Theo, I was the one making plans and forcing us to stick with them. It got overwhelming, but I knew he wouldn’t do it, so I stepped up and handled things. It’s nice to be on the other side for a change.
It’s much cooler inside, and I’m grateful that I brought a sweater.
Kincaid buys a bucket of tokens that I assume must be for the whole group, unless he plans to stay until this place closes. He also treats us to snacks and sodas before leading me to one of the booths near the arcade games.
We get settled in, and I barely pick at the fries and nachos.
My Dr Pepper is crisp and delightful against my taste buds, but I’m more focused on Kincaid’s hazelnut scent. Every time I pick it up, it seems to hit me with more force.
As a beta, my life has never revolved around compatible scents the way it would for alphas and omegas. It’s a strange development, and I have no idea what it means.
Kincaid manspreads on the curved booth, similar to how he sat in the limo. There’s more than enough space on the bench seat, meaning I could scoot away a bit. However, he has his arm slung over the back of the booth. It’s not like he’s surrounding me, but it also kinda feels like he is.
I cross my leg over the other to keep myself from bouncing in my seat, but it doesn’t do much to settle my frazzled nerves, and I uncross them just as quickly.
Being around Riser is calming. His scent is like a natural sedative.
When I’m close to Malcolm, he helps me relax and lighten up with a well-timed joke. He’s goofy and playful, and it’s contagious.
With Kincaid at my side, I almost don’t know what to do with myself. He’s always watching and assessing everything. It makes me feel safe, like if any dangers popped up, he would handle them, but it also leaves me concerned that I’ll do or say the wrong thing and embarrass myself.
Even though I’m not hungry at all, I grab a couple fries, dip them in ketchup, and shove them into my mouth. They’re flavorful and the ketchup helps, but eating was a bad call.
I force myself to chew and swallow, solely because spitting out food would be mortifying.
“So, what did you do in Florida before all of this?” Kincaid asks, leaning toward me.
“I was a bartender.” I make a mad grab for my soda, but my hands are shaking. I bump the cup which nearly goes flying.
“Careful.” Kincaid saves the day with lightning-fast reflexes. His hand gives mine a squeeze, and he pulls it away once he’s sure I’ve got a hold on the plastic cup. “You’re shaky.”
“Nah, I’m good,” I lie, taking a drink of my soda.
Kincaid’s right arm rests around the back of the booth. He saved me from spilling my drink with his left hand, and he brings it under the table, squeezing my bouncing knee.
The warmth of his skin against mine is delicious.
He quirks a blond brow and grins. “If you’re going to lie, you should make sure it’s not an obvious one. Relax, sweetheart. I’m not going to bite unless you beg me to.”
My eyes widen as my heart rate picks up.
Holy shit.
There’s no mistaking that.
He’s absolutely flirting with me.
I have no idea what to say, but I’m saved by Tennyson appearing at the table.
“Daddy splurged for the whole family,” he says, scooping out a handful of tokens. “Come on, you boring asses. Get up and have some fun. We need to leave here by eleven to make our call time at the door.” He winks, taking off before I can ask what that means.
Kincaid must know I’m clueless because he says, “VIP access at whatever club we’re going to after this. We coordinate ahead of time, so the club security can be ready to assist the label guys.”
He nods toward the two men who are splitting their attention between me and Kincaid and Tennyson and Parish. The other two guys that came in the SUV that followed the limo must be watching Riser and Mal.
“That makes sense.”
“Well, I wanted to be a gentleman and feed you in case Malcolm forgot, but you don’t seem very hungry,” Kincaid says, chuckling. “Me neither. Then again, I’ve never seen anyone who can eat all coked up. Well, outside of Mal, but he’s an enigma. Wanna play some games?”
He runs his fingers through my hair, and my heart races.
I don’t know what the hell is happening, but I like it.
Having one person focused on me is a lot when I’m not used to anyone paying me this much attention. Having Malcolm, Riser, and Kincaid taking turns checking on me is blowing my mind.
I’m confident that Malcolm has been flirting with me.
Is it possible that Kincaid is too?
I wondered if Riser was just checking on me for his friend, but after our talk about his ex cheating on him, it felt like the energy between us shifted.
Betas don’t end up in packs.
Okay, I mean they do occasionally, but they’re never treated like the coveted omega.
I bet a lot of them end up feeling like the third wheel.
Jeez.
You’re still young.
Stop acting like every relationship has the goal of being long term.
Maybe my subconscious is right.
I’m just coming out of a relationship. I can mess around and have fun while it lasts. If nothing else, when I’m old and gray, I’ll have a killer story about the year I toured with Liminal.