INKED 8: A Tattoo Shop Reverse Harem

"It's definitely going to bring out the competition between us all."

Dex picks up his jacket from the back of the couch and strolls to his room, whistling in the way he always has when he's happy. It's the first time I've heard that telltale whistle in a while. I don't think my twin's been unhappy as such. More that there hasn't been anything going on in our lives that's been inspiring. But if Kyla's what it takes to put the pep back into his step, then I'm happy.

Despite drinking practically a gallon of water before I sleep, I still wake up with an ache behind one eye. Dex makes us both a power smoothie that's the color of a stagnant lake, and I sip it slowly on our walk to Ink Factor. By the time we get there, whatever Dex put in my drink has worked its magic.

Something's worked its magic on Kyla too. Gone is the neat shirt and pants combination. Today she's arrived in a slouchy black jumper that hangs off one shoulder, revealing the perfect skin of her shoulder, and a pair of ass- and thigh-hugging black jeans that leave nothing to the imagination. Noah is hanging around the front desk like a fly on shit, and Carl is currently chilling on the customer couch, pretending to look at his phone but watching Noah like a hawk.

If Dex thinks he's going to convince Carl of his idea easily, he has another thing coming.

"It's the X twins," Noah says.

When Kyla turns and sees Dex and me, her cheeks turn the color of a raspberry. "Morning, everyone," Dex says, walking with his shoulders noticeably straighter than usual. "Are y'all feeling good or nursing monster hangovers?"

"Hangover," Kyla admits, rubbing her left temple.

"I had one too, but Dex made me a magic potion, and now I'm fine."

"Can you make me one too?" Kyla asks, biting her lips. "I really did drink way too much. I can't remember half of what I said last night."

At the last part, she stares pointedly at Dex, and there is no mistaking what she's saying. Anything she agreed with him last night is off the table. Whether she remembers or not, I suppose it doesn't really matter. Is Dex going to remind her?

I glance at my brother, noticing that his posture isn't as upright as it was. He turns to me, and it's like looking in a mirror. Ever since we were kids, we've been able to communicate with each other without saying a word. He asks me with his eyes what to do. I nod to tell him he should make the smoothie and tell Kyla what they discussed. I get the feeling she's testing to see if Dex was drunk and didn't mean anything he said.

"I'll go get the produce," Dex tells Kyla. "Anyone else want a power smoothie hangover cure?"

"Me!" Niall shouts from the back.

"And me," Kole says, ducking his head around the wall to give Dex the thumbs-up.

I head to my station, dumping my phone onto the counter and glancing around to make sure everything's where it's supposed to be. There's something new—a small tablet on a stand. Kyla appears behind me. "Did you see the tablet?" she asks.

"Yeah, what's that?"

"I'll show you." She moves closer, reaching around me to pick it up, leaving her pretty floral scent in the air for me to inhale. Damn, she smells good and looks good. An image of her on my bed with her skin spread with chocolate flashes through my mind. Dex has planted ideas that I can't forget. He needs to get this game off the ground for sure. "It's all part of the new system," she says. "Each of you will have a tablet. You'll be able to use it to check out your bookings. You give it to your clients to fill out their records, and you can take images of their tattoos before they leave. It'll help us keep track of everything."

"Wow, okay," I say, moving closer so I can see the screen as she flicks through each of the different sections. It'll be good to be able to keep on top of bookings and check out the customer's previous work before they come in.

"There's also this section," Kyla says. "It's going to be a reference tool for customers to use when they're looking for inspiration. You'll be able to add to it using your designs."

"That's pretty cool," I say. Carl might have resisted taking on an administrator for the place, but when he finally gave in, he picked a good one.

"It is, isn't it?" She blinks her long lashes, gazing up at me in a way that makes me want to lean down and kiss her lips. I totally get where Dex is coming from. There's something so innocent about Kyla, but an essence that tells me she just needs to be brought out of her shell. The question is, will she do it? Maybe I shouldn't leave this to Dex to figure out. Maybe I should step in.