Chapter 52 – Lumen
Chapter Fifty-Two
Lumen
We spend the day in the suite and head back to the cabin the next morning. It’s nice to be back with everyone, and it’s especially wonderful to have Wren around. I missed having female companionship, and selfishly, I hope she doesn’t leave anytime soon.
The guys get to practicing so they won’t be rusty when the second leg of the tour rolls around. They eventually run through Malcolm’s song for his dad, and afterward, I trick them into working on the two new compositions I’ve been playing around with.
They’re all talented musicians, and I’m blown away by how they pick up the beat from a few awkward mouth sounds or a rhythmic patting of the table or my thigh.
It’s kind of amazing how excited they get about creating something new, and they’re all smiles as they finish playing through the one I came up with after watching K and Mal banter on stage. It doesn’t have a name yet, but I’m hoping they’ll help me pick something.
Tennyson pulls off his bass and comes over, dropping down next to me on the couch. “Did you know, I’ve been doing fill-in work for the label for three years?”
“I didn’t.” It takes speaking to realize that was likely a rhetorical question.
I mean, he mentioned that he’s been in the industry for a while, and I knew that he’s new to Liminal, but I assumed he must have been a part of a band that fell apart or retired.
“I’ve always loved the challenge of bouncing around, figuring out how to fit in with a new band every couple months while learning to play someone else’s songs.
” He crosses his arms over his chest and shrugs.
“But it’s kinda nice being able to put my own spin on a brand-new creation.
Knowing that every time it’s played from here on out, it’ll be played the way I set it up.
I haven’t had that since I was fucking around with my friends back in high school. ”
“That’s crazy. I wouldn’t have thought about it that way, but then again, I never play anything.” I smile.
He and Parish weren’t too shocked when they found out the guys and I bonded. They just laughed when the guys carried me out of the cabin to head to our suite at the main lodge or whatever it’s called.
I’m going to be around the two of them a lot, and while they’ve been welcoming, I’d like to be friends. That can’t happen if every conversation stays surface level.
“That is true.” He chuckles. “I just meant that it’ll be nice to play something we had a hand in building. You know what I mean? Andrew was a hell of a bass player, but I’m playing songs he wrote in his style. It’ll be fun to rock out on some music made for the band as it stands now.”
I nod. “I totally get that. Hopefully that means you’re settling in for the long haul.”
“Yeah, definitely,” Ten says.
A weird pang hits my chest as Riser’s scent filters through my mind.
My eyes cut to him. He’s standing with Mal, Kincaid, and Parish, but something tells me hearing Andrew’s name was hard.
I never put much thought into how difficult it would be for him to move on to songs that Andrew had no part in creating.
Riser and Drew were friends for a few years before making it big, and he still struggles with how everything went down with Drew.
“Would you maybe be willing to put something together for me?” Tennyson asks, drawing my attention back to him. “Like how you helped Mal with his song? Would you be open to collaborating with me on one?”
“Yeah, I’d be happy to,” I say, hoping Riser won’t be upset.
He hasn’t been so far, but Tennyson plays the same role in the band that Andrew used to.
Ry knows Liminal will eventually need a whole new album after this tour, but I’m still going to check in with him just to be sure everything is okay.
“Work on some lyrics or the tone you want. You need to know if you want it to be upbeat or slow and eerie. Old-school rock? Alternative? Metalcore? Figure out the basics, and we can come up with the rest as we go along.”
“Thanks, Lumen.” Tennyson breaks out in a boyish grin, holding his hand up. “High five.”
I slap his hand, glancing around for Wren. She was here when the guys started practicing, but that was probably two hours ago. It can get boring as hell when you’re not participating.
“Can I ask how things are with you and Wren?” I keep my voice low to avoid the guys listening in.
“Fuck if I know.” He snorts, shaking his head. “I’ll tell ya if I figure it out.”
“Fair enough.”
I pretty ruthlessly follow Riser into the primary bedroom after their practice session wraps up. He must hear me behind him because he comes to a stop at the end of the bed, spinning to face me just in time for me to tackle him to the mattress.
“I felt you stalking me in the bond.” His hands come to rest on my ass as a smile tips his lips. “That was weird, but I can’t lie. I love it.”
“Good. Seeing you happy is my new favorite drug.” I peck a kiss on his lips but squeak when he rolls us. “That was unexpected.”
“I know you were worrying about me.” He nuzzles his nose against mine. “I’m okay.”
“I believe you,” I assure him. “I also care about you a lot.” I swallow thickly. “Maybe I’m kinda falling in love with you. So, I want you to know that if you’re having a hard time with anything, you should come to me. That way, we can figure it out together.”
“I’ve always been a private person when it comes to working through shit,” he says, his head tilting. “Did you say you’re falling in love with me?”
“Damn, I was trying to sneak that in under the radar.”
“Yeah, beautiful.” Riser brushes his lips over mine. “Me too.”
He captures my lower lip, and it stings a bit since Malcolm’s claiming bite is still healing, but I’d suffer much worse pain to keep my lips sealed to his.
As he deepens the kiss, I once again curse the universe for having it out for me. I no longer think omegas have the glamorous life I thought they did before living through a heat and the aftermath.
I follow his lips as he pulls back, and he chuckles a low, throaty sound.
“Damn, woman. That makes me feel like a king.” He grins, and my heart thumps.
“Listen, I know I’ve been slacking on the courting gifts front, and I’m not sure now is the right time to mention it, but I talked to the guys.
The three of us want to chip in on covering rehab for your dad.
You shouldn’t have to spend your first real check on that, and it should help take some of the pressure off your relationship.
If it doesn’t stick, we won’t miss the money, and if it does…
” He shrugs. “Then we’ll all be grateful. ”
My heart seizes.
I’ve texted my dad a few times when I was coherent, just so he wouldn’t worry that I was dead in a ditch somewhere. I haven’t tackled telling him that I presented as an omega, let alone broaching the sensitive subject of whether he’d like to take a break from drinking himself to death.
A huge part of me feels like, how could he not want to stop if it might give him some extra time? The realist in me says the man has loved alcohol more than anything else in his life for at least the last fifteen years. His liver and kidneys are basically shot.
Why would he stop the one thing he actually enjoys just to be given an uncertain, not guaranteed, theoretical extra amount of time?
“That’s very sweet, and I appreciate it so much,” I tell Riser, smiling tightly. “Can I think about it?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “You have to decide right now.” His face breaks out into a sly smile. “I’m kidding. Of course you can think about it for as long as you need to make a decision. It’s a gift, not an obligation.”
And that’s why my heart never stood a chance when it comes to Riser. He’s just so damn easy to fall in love with.
The first show back after the break is also in Roanoke. They’re back in their normal masks tonight, and the audience loves it.
Wren bumps her shoulder against mine as the guys intro “Daytime Enemies.” It’s the more upbeat alternative song that I wrote for Mal and Kincaid.
“Holy shit,” Wren says. “This is your song. Are you freaking out?”
“Um, yeah,” I say, nodding.
I’m kinda shitting myself.
Liminal plays more old-school Southern rock and metalcore. There’s no telling how the audience will react. I’m not even sure if they’re supposed to be testing my song, considering the label hasn’t signed it. They’re going to end out the show with Malcolm’s song for his dad, “When The Time Comes.”
I have no doubt the fans will love that one; it still takes my breath away when I hear the first few notes. It’s one of those creations that hits on another level, but my song is more playful.
Wren reaches down, interlocking our fingers. “It’s going to be great.”
I smile and squeeze her hand. It feels a lot like a lifeline as Malcolm starts singing.
In nearly every single song Andrew wrote, Kincaid is the star—which makes sense.
He’s the lead singer.
At the same time, Mal is an untapped asset.
Kincaid comes in on the next verse, and Mal and Parish join the beat, which has only been Ten and Riser up to this point.
Riser starts measured and controlled in the slams of his sticks, but he really gets to show off his skills as the song picks up.
Malcolm leans back, strumming away as Kincaid sings. All the muscles on his stomach and side move and flex as he plays.
Kincaid is always a treat to watch. He knows just how to serenade the women in the audience while playing the hell out of his guitar.
It’s such a surreal experience. I knew Tangled Desires before they were famous, and it was a shock seeing them perform songs that I wrote, but watching Liminal play one of my creations on stage is an almost otherworldly experience.
The fans lose it as the song comes to an end, and my damn knees get weak. Based on the sounds from the audience, I’m going to guess they liked it.
“All right,” Kincaid purrs into his microphone. “We have one more brand-new one for you. This one is extra special because Mal co-wrote it.”
The screams get so intense that I’m relieved I’m not down in the audience. I’d say I’m ninety-five percent the same as I was before I presented.
I still love adventure, and I don’t shy away from a party, but I get overwhelmed by scents when too many people are close to me. Loud noises also throw me off a lot more than they did before my designation came in.
“This one is close to my heart,” Malcolm says, his heavy breathing echoing into his mic.
“Not just because I wrote it for my dad—I love you, dad!” The fans scream and whistle, and he pauses to ride it out.
“It’s near and dear to me because, while we were working on it, I realized I was falling in love with someone special.
” He turns toward the side of the stage. “Love you, baby doll.”
My damn heart tries to pound out of my chest. I lean my arm against Wren’s, holding on to her hand for dear life.
The low, eerie intro of “When The Time Comes” starts, and I watch in rapt fascination.
I’m still not sure how this is my life.
I’m still riding high from the guys’ show as Wren and I wait around in the greenroom for the guys to finish showering.
I’ve had something weighing on my mind, and I think I’m finally ready to address it.
I excuse myself to stand in the corner.
I don’t want to pressure my dad too much. There’s a good chance I got my spitefulness from him. Any time someone tells me to do something, I automatically tend to do the opposite. It’s a character flaw, and I know that, but it’s how I’ve always been.
My goal is to open the door to let him know that if he’s willing to go to rehab, the guys will pay for it.
The phone rings, and my hands shake as I remind myself that this isn’t a one-and-done conversation. If he says no and changes his mind down the line, we can always help him find a rehab then.
“Jesus, kid, it’s almost midnight,” my dad says, answering the call. Music and laughter fills the background, and I already know he’s not at home. “Are you okay?”
“Hey, Dad,” I say awkwardly. “Yeah, I’m good. Sorry, I didn’t realize it was so late.”
“Ahh, you’re not bothering me. How’s life?” he asks.
Some people are angry drunks. Not my dad. I forgot how cheery he is when he’s wasted. He’s much surlier in those morning hours when he’s trying to pretend like he can make it to the afternoon without a drink.
This actually might be the perfect time to spring my offer on him.
Malcolm comes out, pulling on his T-shirt as I’m wrapping up my phone call with my dad. I disconnect and shove the device into my pocket, sighing heavily.
It wasn’t a bad talk, but I also know that he’ll agree to something while he’s drunk and loving life, only to change his mind when he sobers up the next morning.
“You felt kinda funky in the bond,” Mal says, tugging me in for a hug. “Is everything okay?”
I nod and wrap my arms around him. “I called my dad.”
“How did that go?”
“It could have been worse, but I didn’t push for an answer.” I shrug. “I just planted the seed. He needs to be the one to let us know if he wants to take advantage of the offer.”
“Either way, I’m proud of you for getting that over with.” He kisses the top of my head. “I know that was weighing on you.”
“It was, but I’m glad it’s done.” I tilt my face up to his. “By the way, you said something when you were about to perform your song.”
Mal nods, opening his mouth, but I speak before he can.
“I’m falling in love with you too,” I tell him, stretching up on my tiptoes to kiss him. It’s a quick kiss, and I settle back onto the floor as Riser and Kincaid come to join us.
“Can we get in on this?” Kincaid asks.
“Bring it in.” Mal raises his hands, and I can only assume he waves them over. “Love you guys.”
Riser and Kincaid join the hug.
“Not to copy Mal, but I love you all,” I say, reveling in being held by the three of them.
“Love you too, beautiful,” Riser says.
“You know I’m gone for you,” Kincaid says, sneaking a hand around to yank on my necklace chain. It tightens around my throat firmly but not painfully. “Love you, Lumen.”
I guess a rebound really can turn into forever.