Tempting (Inked Hearts 1)

"But they don't have it. Something is up with him. And Brendon. He didn't come home last night. That's never happened before."

"Oh."

"Yeah. It's probably nothing. A date. But all he texted was—" She drops her voice two octaves to imitate Brendon. "Staying at Walker's place. I'll see you tomorrow." She moves back to her normal tone. "Like that's supposed to convince me he's not out getting laid."

"It's better that way. Or would you rather hear about his sex life?" I squeeze dandruff shampoo—another good way to fade hair color—into the glass and stir with a metal spoon. There. It's a nice pale orange.

"Yeah, that's true. But I'm still worried."

"It's probably nothing."

"You would know, I guess. You two have been hanging out a lot."

"Only because his work schedule aligns with mine and yours doesn't."

"Yeah. You... you like hanging out with him?"

"You don't?"

"I guess he's all right."

"He's good company." If he ever talks to me again.

She lifts her neck to look at me. "You haven't said anything about school."

"What's there to say?"

"Like you don't love every second of learning."

"I don't hate it." I move to the tub. Grab the handheld shower head and turn the water on. And test it against my palm. Too hot. I turn the cold.

"You. Love. It."

"Maybe."

"Just admit it."

"Okay. I love it." There. Perfect. I kneel next to Emma. "Lean back."

She does.

I focus on rinsing her hair. It makes it easier not to spill everything rising up in my throat.

"What about your grandma?" she asks. "Do you have any more info."

"Sort of. It's... it's not good, but they're not sure how not good."

"Fuck, I'm sorry."

"Thanks." My chest gets tight. I need less of that. "Can we talk about something else?"

"Okay." She's quiet for a while.

I rinse her hair.

She squirms as water hits her ears.

The silence is nice. Even if it's heavy with all sorts of unsaid things.