Tempting (Inked Hearts 1)

"He's at the gym." Mal shakes his head. "You want to tell me how you ended up in Ethan's bed?"

"With as many details as you can spare, preferably." Joel's smile lights up his grey-green eyes. "I was wondering why Ethan brought a girl home."

Huh?

Joel stares at me. "Damn, can't believe that's really you, Violet. I thought you ate Ethan's heart for breakfast and used it as fuel to get your ass to New York."

God damn, is Ethan really selling our breakup as me destroying him? He's the one who chose his dreams over mine.

It doesn't matter now. It's over. As much as I like seeing Mal (hell, it's nice seeing Joel, even with his I'm gonna start shit attitude turned up to eleven), it's time for me to go.

"It's spring break," I say.

Joel nods. "You find a new boy in New York?"

"Not at the moment. I'm more focused on school. How's the band?" I ask.

"Good. Our tour bus is a hell of a lot nicer. And you know Ethan." Joel shrugs.

Mal clears his throat. "Did you come all the way to Orange County to fuck with Ethan's ex or did you come here to practice?"

"Mostly came to fuck with you and Ethan but Violet being here is a bonus," Joel says.

Mal frowns.

"Okay, I got it. I should practice." Joel shoots me a knowing look. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"Does that leave anything?" I ask.

"Certainly wouldn't sleep with my ex," Joel says.

"You don't have any exes." Mal crosses his arms, adopting his papa bear stance.

"Okay, I got it. Tell Piper I said hi if I miss her." Joel shakes his head. He nods goodbye to me on the way to the practice room.

The room feels quieter without Joel in it. Mal has that same protective stance but I'm not sure who he's trying to protect—me or Ethan.

"I'd offer coffee but I gave it up. Bad for the vocal chords." He nods to a pot of tea on the counter. "You want tea?"

"Yes please. Where is Piper?"

"Class. She's at UCI now." He pours me a cup and places it on the kitchen island. "You want eggs too?"

"I should take a cab home."

"Stay for breakfast." He turns back to the pan on the stove and scrambles the eggs. "Don't make me restrain you."

I'm not sure whether or not I should laugh. I'm not good with people, not even with a guy who is practically my big brother.

Or was practically my big brother.

Mal and I aren't anything anymore. This isn't my life anymore and lingering in it makes me feel like I'm stuck in some weird, slutty rock star version of A Christmas Carol.

But the eggs smell good and I'm starving. I nod an okay.

Mal makes small talk. He has an entire plate of eggs, a dozen pieces of toast, and several halved avocados ready by the time I finish my second cup of tea.

"Ethan hasn't been the same since you left." Mal slides a plate with eggs, toast, and two halves of an avocado to me.