Page 186 of Just Wait

Ten reaches into his back pocket and stretches over to Riser, holding something between his middle and pointer finger. “Happy birthday. Sorry it’s late, but this is from me and Parish.”

Wren’s eyes narrow, and I almost chuckle.

Those two have to go at it soon, or they might actually try to murder one another.

“I didn’t want to blow through them all at once, so I saved enough for a second night of fun,” Ten says as Riser takes the baggie. “I thought your birthday was a fitting excuse to bust these out.”

It’s filled with molly.

Damn.

This little vacation is the perfect time for that.

“Thanks,” Riser says, laughing.

Lumen sits in his lap, and she jostles around as he shoves them into his front pocket.

“I’ll go next.” I grab the small gift bag next to my feet and launch it at him. It hits Lumen in the tit, and I frown. “Sorry, baby doll.”

She laughs as Riser grabs it and digs in. He pulls out the piece of printer paper that says Happy birthday, fucker.

“I didn’t have time to get a card.” But I did make sure to pick up a gift card to his favorite tattoo artist. The guy is based out of Chicago, and we don’t get up there often, so I grabbed it when he got the skeletons on his hands touched up.

“I ended up having to tote that thing around in my wallet for almost an entire year so I didn’t lose it,” I say, grinning. “It’s for a grand.”

“Damn.” Riser smiles, shaking his head. “Thanks, Mal.”

“Well, now I feel like a shitty friend,” Kincaid says, glaring at me.

“Nah, you did all the research on this place and set it up,” Riser says before I can. “That’s a killer gift. I know this place couldn’t have been cheap.”

“You can share my gift,” Lumen says, scooping the wrapped present off the floor.

She tries to hand it over her shoulder to Riser, but he keeps it in her lap, likely to avoid smacking her with it.

I already know what it is, and he’s going to freak out. As he rips into the paper, I rub my hands together.

Kincaid pulls out his phone, and Riser pops open the special gift box the music shop carried for just this type of occasion.

“I’m sorry,” Riser chokes out. “Is this a signed Madness vinyl?”

“It sure is.” I smirk, nodding to Lumen. “It was all Lulu’s idea.”

She snorts, and I wink.

“Holy shit.” Riser chuckles. “I don’t know where you found this, but I love it.”

It was the last album they put out before Jamen Jacobs left the band. It has Damian and Angel Rae Sinclair, and even that fucker Johnny Kincaid signed it. The latter is a scumbag, but it’s special because Jamen Jacobs left before the later albums could be produced. Not to mention, he started Ruined Records way back when.

Ry has been on the hunt for it for ages.

I couldn’t believe it when I spotted it, but I’m a good boyfriend, so I let Lumen take the credit.

“All right, now that’s out of the way,” Tennyson chimes in. “Can we commence partying?”

I point at him. “That sounds like a great plan.”

Parish chuckles. “Sorry, bro, we forgot a cake, but I can roll a blunt, and we can sing as we smoke.”