Tempting (Inked Hearts 1)

"You should try that look." She motions to Dean. "Some espresso would bring out your eyes."

The door swings open. Ryan and Leighton step inside. Ryan looks slightly less glum than usual. Leighton is wearing her usual pleasant smile, the customer service one required for working at the front desk.

And there's Brendon.

His eye catch mine. "Who's up first."

"James over here." Dean nods to Walker.

Walker grabs the mic. "You mock because you're jealous." He grabs the keypad. Taps the song in from memory.

A moment later, the title card flashes on screen. Enter Sandman, As Made Famous by Metallica.

The room fills with the song's epic intro. Only it's practically polyphonic.

Then Walker is singing with his voice two octaves lower than it normally is. All gruff and angry a la the original song—everyone knows this one.

Emma lets out one of her full body laughs.

Leighton chuckles.

Even Ryan cracks a smile. "You do look jealous, Dean."

Dean flips his brother off.

The tension in my chest eases. This is normal. Distracting even.

So long as I keep my gaze off Brendon, this feels good.

I cross my legs. Tap my toes together.

When Walker finishes, he hands the mic to Dean. And Ryan picks up the other one.

Huh. Ryan sings.

Strange.

Walker plops next to Emma. Pics up the karaoke book, studies it closely, finds the song to plug into the machine.

The lyrics to a classic grunge song flash on screen. Dean jumps onto the table in the middle of the room as he belts out the first line.

He motions to Ryan let's go.

Ryan shakes his head, but he does get off the couch, move to the front of the room, and sing.

He really sings.

With passion and zest and enthusiasm.

It's like he's a different person.

The two of them are both there. In the song. Feeling every word.

The two of them aren't exactly great singers, but they're swinging for the fences.

And they're working together.

Like brothers who actually love each other.