Tempting (Inked Hearts 1)

After we finish, I spend an hour hanging out with fans. I've been skipping my usual autographs, conversations, and pictures thing in favor of hanging out with Violet.

Occasionally, fans get a little too grabby or rude. Otherwise, they're great and I love chatting with them. I can talk about Dangerous Noise music all night and I know how to make people feel special without pulling out all sorts of bullshit.

Still, I'm relieved when I finish mingling and make my way backstage. There's no sign of Mal, Joel, or Kit in the hallway, but I can still feel the tension in the air.

Fuck, this is stupid. Mal has always been bossy, but this time he's out of line. I'm not sure it's possible to talk sense into my older brother, but I'm going to try.

This band is too important for petty shit. It's not just that we're on the cusp of being the next big thing. We're a family.

We need to move past the stupid fight to the part where we forgive each other.

It's not happening right now. There's no sign of Mal in the hall or in either of the dressing rooms. No doubt he's locked in his hotel room with one of his fuck buddies. Mal has an M.O. Once he closes the hotel room door, he's not opening it unless it's an emergency.

Shit. There isn't much time before Violet and I have to leave. I go back to the strangely empty dressing room to look for Kit.

He's not here but Joel and Violet are. The two of them are sitting on the couch.

He plays with her e-reader. "How do you read this sci-fi shit?"

"It's a sci-fi romance." She grabs the device. "And it's good." She nods hello as her eyes meet mine. "Hey Ethan."

"Ethan, hey, don't tell me you've got a few groupies lined up." Joel slurs his words.

"You drunk?" I ask.

"Yeah, must be pretty motivated to be drunk this fast after a show, huh?" He shakes his dirty-blond hair. "Okay, I get that look. I'll stop cock-blocking you."

Her voice gets soft. "No, stay, Joel. We should go out, the three of us. Kit too. But then he doesn't drink so does he go out?"

"Sometimes, but I'm not sticking around. And Ethan's got a surprise for you." Joel winks at me. "He thinks I don't know, but word travels fast around here."

Violet looks up at me. "You have a surprise?"

I nod. "Yeah."

"What is it?" she asks.

"Valentine, it's a surprise. He can't tell you." Joel pushes himself off the couch. He scans the room. When he sees no sign of Kit, he takes a step backwards. "You seen Rhythmic One?"

"He was watching the Sinful Serenade set. Haven't seen him since they finished." Violet's eyes flare with frustration. "Joel, I'm sorry. I was just looking at numbers. I didn't want something like this to happen."

&n

bsp; "Not your fault, sweetheart." Joel's eyes flare with frustration. "Really, Violet, it's nice that you're around. I'm glad Ethan's happy for once. You're not the reason I'm about to get on a fucking train." He shakes off his frustration to shoot her a playful look. "Even with all that loud sex you two are having on the couch."

Violet blushes. "Who told you?"

"Fuck, I knew it!" Joel claps his hands together. "You should never fall for an accusation unless there's evidence. That's a tip for you. Though I'm sure you prefer a tip from Ethan."

She laughs. "Where's the train station?"

"Have to ask Google that," he says.

"How about I walk you? Or take a cab with you?" She looks to me for my blessing. Once I nod, she turns back to Joel. "Just the two of us. You can fill me in on all the gossip."

"Yeah. Okay." He nods. "But uh, I don't want you to get the wrong idea. I know I'm all kinds of sexy. And Valentine, if you weren't Ethan's girl, I'd already have your panties off."

"Is that your technique?" she asks.