Tempting (Inked Hearts 1)

the guitarist steps forward to shred through his solo. He's also cute. Tall. Broad. Stoic in that Brendon kind of way.

Emma tilts her head to one side. "Maybe I should get an eyebrow piercing."

"Cute." I nod.

She lets her voice get loud. "Or maybe my nipples."

"You trying to piss me off?" Brendon asks.

"No. I'm trying to talk to my best friend. No one invited you to eavesdrop." She does nothing to hide the irritation in her voice.

But it's not the eavesdropping.

It's the suspicion.

She knows.

Or she's going to know soon.

This isn't good.

I squeeze Emma's arm. "Shh. I love this song."

She play swats me.

I play swat her back.

Her smile is normal. Like she's not trying to figure out if I'm sleeping with her brother.

I do love this song.

I focus on the guys on stage. On the music flowing into my ears. On the sway of my hips.

Then on belting out the chorus. The one I've heard a million times.

Emma sings with me.

And everything is normal.

All the way through the end of the song.

The singer smiles. "We've got a few more. You guys excited to hear Dangerous Noise?"

The crowd cheers.

Emma too.

"We've had a blast this tour. We want to thank them for inviting us. And to thank all of you for showing up tonight." He turns back to his band and shoots them a thumbs up.

Then the bassline is kicking in.

And the drums are pounding.

A guitar riff fills the air.

Then this low roar of a verse.

Emma turns back to Brendon. "Are you sticking around?"