Tempting (Inked Hearts 1)

There's noise upstairs then the water is running.

Violet is up.

I try to change the subject to Piper's classes, but every time her phone buzzes, I have to fight my desire to threaten to smash the thing then to smash Kit's face.

Not letting him break her heart.

No fucking way.

Piper lights up as Violet walks down the stairs. "You want me to make some tea?"

"I can do it." Violet hugs Piper hello then she turns to me. "Why the tension?"

"Ethan's an idiot." Piper smiles at me. "But I know he means well, so I won't make his life miserable."

"That sums it up." Violet pulls me into a tight embrace.

Piper swoons. She mouths don't fuck it up to me.

"You sleep okay?" I ask.

"Perfect," she says. "I think I'm actually ready to do this today."

"You know we have to talk to your parents first?"

"Yeah, I know." She runs her fingers through my hair. "I'm hoping they're on board, because I have no idea how to convince them if they're not."

"What are you guys doing?" Piper asks.

"We're going to scatter my brother's ashes off the pier," Violet says. "It was Ethan's idea."

Piper swoons. Out of view of Violet, she shoots me a thumbs up. "That's the first smart thing he's done since he lost you."

Violet smiles. "He has his moments."

Violet presses her palm into mine as she knocks and unlocks the door to her parents' house. Her hand is clammy and she's trembling. I can't remember the last time I saw her this nervous.

I squeeze her hand. It calms her enough she stops shaking, but her expression stays fraught.

She squeezes back as she steps inside the door. "Hey, it's me."

I follow her into the living room and shut the door behind me. Her parents are sitting at the dining table with a pot of tea between them and tablets in hand.

Both of them look at Violet with confusion. Her mom, Mary, gives me the same concerned once over she always does. I'm not sure if it's the tattoos or the whole musician thing, but Mary has never been my biggest fan.

Violet's dad, Dan, gives me a friendly nod. "Is that you, Ethan?"

"Yeah, nice to see you again Mr. and Mrs. Valentine." I shoot Mary my sweetest smile. "Your hair looks great."

She smiles as she smooths her auburn hair. "Violet, sweetie, what are you doing here? And why is your ex… uh, what's Ethan doing here?"

Violet chews on her lower lip. "I've been with Ethan the last few days. Not just Ethan. I’ve been with Mal too. He's Ethan's older brother. Do you remembers him?" After her parents nod, Violet continues. "Well, he offered me the job I was talking about. I may have exaggerated a few things, but he's paying really well."

"Is he?" I ask.

She nods. "Yeah. It's very generous. A few months' rent at least." She shifts her weight between her legs. "Um, Ethan and I, we uh… well it was his idea, and I think it's a good one. You know how Asher was always a little morbid, especially after he'd watch those violent war movies about men dying for just causes. Once he said that if he died, he'd want his ashes scattered in the Pacific Ocean, so I was thinking it's about time to do that. You know, off the pier maybe. I think he'd like that."

I squeeze Violet's hand.