Page 65 of Just Wait

I need to ask how old she is, but that would make me sound like a creep. Although I know for a fact the label wouldn’t have arranged backstage passes for her without verifying that she’s over eighteen, I don’t fuck around with anyone who has teen in their age. Eighteen- and nineteen-year-olds are still way too young for me.

I’d say she’s at least twenty-two or twenty-three, which would make it highly unlikely that she would present.

“I was anxious, but smelling you calmed me right down.” She smiles, shrugging awkwardly.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Good.” I pull the hair tie off my wrist, tying up my hair. “You smell pretty damn good to me too. Light and fruity from the pears with that hint of floral at the end from the roses.”

“I’m surprised you could even pick up my scent,” she says, stepping over to sit on the edge of the club chair.

She unzips one thigh-high boot before reaching over to do the other.

I get a full view of her thighs and have to force myself to look at her face. She’s soft and curvy in all the places I like, from her hips to her thighs to her chest. Although that dress hides it, she even has a rounding to her stomach that I adore.

“Most people never notice what I smell like, but such is the life of a beta, I suppose.” She laughs, grabbing her boots and standing up.

It’s a battle to keep myself from reacting, and I’m not sure I’m quick enough to camouflage my shock.

It gives clarification to why she and Theo never bonded, and at the same time, my system doesn’t buy it.

To legally be an omega, a person has to have a heat cycle.

Who knows why the laws were set up that way, but I’ve heard it goes back to needing regulations around heat leave. Even if someone smells like an omega, has omega pheromones, and can take a knot, they don’t need two weeks guaranteed paid time off every three months unless they’re out of it with a heat.

When I popped a knot, all I had to do was see my doctor for an awkward physical. He gave me a form that I brought to the DMV, and it’s been on my license ever since.

Lumen could be one of those omegas who never had a heat, so, legally speaking, she’s a beta.

Shit.

Ultimately, it’s none of my business.

“I had no problem picking up your scent.” I bend down to unlace my boots. “I wish I had moved faster to block the pictures. Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Her head shakes, betraying the lie. “I’m guessing they’ll be everywhere soon, just like the others.”

“Probably,” I admit, since I’m not in the business of lying. “If you hang out with rock stars, you’re going to have to learn to contend with the paparazzi.”

She scoffs.

Or snorts.

I’m not really sure what that sound is.

“Damn,” she whispers. “The phone calls are never going to end.”

“Can I level with you?”

She nods.

“You’re going to have to decide if you want to be here,” I say, keeping eye contact. “You willingly came on tour. Tangled Desires might not be at our level, but they will be in a year or two. Their music is solid. They’re going to build a fan base, and it’ll happen fast. If shit didn’t go down between you and your ex, you’d be in the same situation before you knew it. That didn’t pan out, but we’re happy to have you with us for however long you want to stick around.” I kick out of my boots and stand. “You just have to decide if you’re comfortable being photographed with us, or if you’d rather go home and live your life without the hassle of the press. None of us can make that call for you. Although Malcolm will try, so you have to decide what’s best for you and stick with it.”

“Yeah.” Lumen crosses her arms, nodding. “You’re right about that.”

Based on her body language, I can tell I said the wrong thing.