Tempting (Inked Hearts 1)

"You two should do a duet," Dean says. "Which of

you is Aladdin and which is Jasmine?"

Uh...

"I won't make a joke about wanting to ride your carpet." Dean winks at Emma. Turns back to the road. Pulls into the tiny parking lot of the strip mall on the right.

The private room karaoke place is right there. I know it well. How could I not? It's the only all ages place on this side of town. I can't even begin to count how many parties I've been to at this place.

And how many times I've avoided singing or only joined in on the big, group numbers.

I love music. I love singing. It's just I don't love singing with other people around. It's too personal.

Songs dig at my guts. They force me to confront feelings deep inside me. I'm not about to do that for show.

Especially not when my guts are such a mess.

Brendon.

Grandma.

My parents.

I don't want to feel any of that. I want it far away. I want to forget everything.

I try to come up with something I can sing, something that will label me a good sport without making me feel anything, as we park and make our way to the karaoke joint.

It's as divey as it's ever been. Narrow halls with bright carpet. Beige walls. Blue doors.

Our suite is at the back of the hall. A shiny silver disco ball casts light over the powder blue couches. The song books are sitting on the low table, right next to a bunch of two liter bottles of soda and a large carafe of water.

Emma plops on the couch and pours us two glasses of diet. "So." She hands me my glass then looks to Dean with a smile. "What are you singing?"

"Good things come to those who wait." He winks at us.

She nudges me. See. He totally likes you.

I shake my head. This is a bad lie. I need to set her straight. Without giving away how badly I want to fuck her brother.

"What about you, Walker?" Emma sips her drink. "What kind of music do you like anyway?"

"Metal." Dean laughs. "Have we never brought you to karaoke?"

"Never. Fuck you for that by the way." She flips him off.

Dean laughs. "You close your eyes and listen to Walker you think James Hetfield—"

"Who?" Emma asks.

"Fuck, kids today." Dean shakes his head. "Lead singer of Metallica."

"Oh. Yeah. The Enter Sandman guys." Emma sticks her tongue out. "I don't like that stuff. Too loud."

"Not enough boys in eyeliner?" Dean offers.

"I was thinking skinny jeans." She nudges me. "But that's an irresistible combination. Right, Kay?"

"Right." Or Brendon in anything. Or nothing. Nothing would be ideal, really. Not that I'll ever have the chance to see that.