Epilogue
Malcolm
A Year Later
Idon’t think I’ve ever been as nervous during a show as I am right this second. Even on our first tour, I was more excited than intimidated, but this shit is just straight-up terrifying.
My parents are in the front row, and my mom is on camera duty. Riser’s family pack is also in the audience. Between his three little sisters, I’m sure they’ll get some worthy shots.
Wren is going to come out on stage and take pictures. She knows how to manage a social media filter, so I’m sure we’ll be fine. She’s also brave enough to tell us if one of our arms is in the way or to move because she can’t get all of us in a shot.
She and Tennyson still bicker like they can’t decide if they want to fuck each other’s brains out or strangle the other, but she joined us on the same tour Lumen did and just never left.
Parish and Tennyson went home with her when we visited Andrew in Ohio, and she was with them when they met us in Florida to practice.
Honestly?
I’m happy she stuck around so Lumen never had to deal with a groupie parade.
The thought reminds me of Andrew, and a pang of sadness hits my gut. He never reached out to us or any of the facilities. While it was hard on Ry, he came to terms with it along the way.
We did what we could, but you can’t force someone to want to change. You can only give them the tools they need and encourage them. At the end of the day, it’s still that person’s call.
On the positive side, Lumen’s dad has stuck with his sobriety. He even turned down being here in person because he said concerts are one of his triggers, and he didn’t want to risk relapsing.
I respect the hell out of that decision. With all the pictures and videos, he’ll still be able to see it.
Which reminds me…
Even though I trust Wren can take a killer selfie or picture of the band, I’m kinda losing my shit.
Goddammit.
Why didn’t we hire a professional photographer?
It’s not like we can’t afford one.
That was shitty planning on our part.
Jesus.
I need to chill before Lumen gets any more suspicious. She’s already poking around in the bond.
My damn hands sweat so badly during our last song that I’m afraid my pick will go flying. I’ve played this song so many times that I could manage it in my sleep, and I still have to focus.
Seriously, it’s not like she’s going to say no.
We live together, and we’re bonded.
Lumen is pretty well stuck with us.
Only, she kinda seemed meh about marriage any time we’ve brought it up. I’m not too fussed with the ceremony part, although I would kill to see Lulu in a wedding dress. Mostly, it’s important because having pack commitment paperwork makes it easier to link finances.
If anything should ever happen to me, Riser, or Kincaid, we need to know she would have easy access to our assets.
Also, I’m weirdly obsessed with having our ring on her finger, like my claiming bite isn’t right there on her lip.
Whatever.
I’ve accepted that I’m an obsessive freak when it comes to her.
The song comes to an end, and the roadies stream out on stage to take our instruments.
“As it turns out, we have one last surprise for you,” Kincaid purrs into his mic before pulling off his guitar. “Join us for a special moment in our lives.”
Riser leads Lumen to the front of the stage, and I head up to join them, desperately trying to get my hand into my pocket. I never realized I had such fat fingers, but these leather pants have the tiniest, little baby pockets I’ve ever seen.
“I’m going to kill you guys,” Lumen says, laughing. “You know how I feel about being on stage.”
“Yeah, but we wanted this moment to be forever immortalized,” Kincaid says, smirking. “You okay over there, Mal?”
“Um, yeah,” I lie, slamming my fingers into my pocket. “These fucking pants…” Thank God we opted not to do this part on the mic. “I, um… My fingers won’t fit.”
“I told you to let me put it in my cargo pants pocket.” Riser sighs.
Lumen steps over in front of me, yanking me to her with a handful of my shirt. “This was your idea, wasn’t it?”
“Yup.” A sly smile breaks out on my face as I palm her ass for the entire world to see.
I can’t wait to be able to call her my wife.
The press already knows I’m unabashedly in love with her.
They’ve caught some pretty questionable pictures of us, but luckily, no sex tape…
so far. “You know me so well, baby doll.”
“I know whose ass I’ll be kicking when we make it to the greenroom,” she grumbles, patting the front of my leather pants.
Unfortunately for me, she cups my dick, and it jolts against her palm. An awkward bark of laughter spills from my lips as she huffs.
“You are incorrigible, Malcolm,” she mutters, sliding two fingers into my pocket. “But alas, I love you anyway. You’re so lucky you’re pretty.”
I snort. “All I heard is that you love me and think I’m pretty.”
“I really do love the hell out of all three of you. Cup your hand. I’m not risking you dropping this sucker.” Her hand moves up and down. “It’s got some serious weight to it.”
She keeps her eyes on mine as she places the ring on my palm. I’m sure it’s traditional to have it in a jewelry box, but we aren’t a normal pack. Also, there was no hope of shoving a ring box into my pocket.
“You know we like to show off how much we enjoy spoiling you,” Kincaid says, grabbing Riser’s shoulder and moving him to stand by my side.
Lumen has her back to the audience, but that’s better. We’re the ones in the public eye.
“Are you guys going to ask me, or…” She quirks an eyebrow, and the three of us take a knee.
The floor is hard, and I’m not exactly graceful on my landing.
I fall against K, who luckily keeps me upright.
“Wow, you guys are a mess.” The wide smile that overtakes her face is at odds with her words.
“Come on, gentlemen. You’re leaving the audience in suspense. ”
“Life has been so much better with you in it,” Riser says, clearing his throat. “There was more, but I got nervous and forgot my speech.”
“Aww.” Lumen dips her face, kissing his cheek. “Anyone else want to try?”
“You wear my collar,” Kincaid says, smirking. “Now I want you to wear my ring on your finger.”
I snort, bringing my hand to swipe over my face. “Holy shit. We are so bad at this. We love you, baby doll. Marry us?”
Lumen laughs, nodding. “I will. Now show me that rock.” She holds out her hand, and I shove the ring onto her finger.
“There are three of us, so we got a three-stone engagement ring.” I grin. “The middle—”
Kincaid slaps a hand over my mouth. “Contrary to what Mal believes, the bigger stone in the middle isn’t for him.”
“Aww, come on, guys. Let him live in the fantasy,” Lumen says, twisting her fingers from side to side.
“Did she say yes?” someone from the audience calls out.
“Fuck, we really do suck at this,” Riser mutters, laughing.
Kincaid pops up, grabs Lumen, turns her toward the audience, and yells, “She said yes!”
The fans lose it as Riser and I hit our feet.
I find my parents, giving them a thumbs-up.
Well, that might not have gone exactly according to plan, but normal is boring anyway.