Tempting (Inked Hearts 1)

His voice is low, apologetic. "Dangerous Noise got invited to perform on a late night show. Their guest canceled. Rehearsal starts in an hour and a half."

"And you're leaving to go to rehearsal?"

"Yeah."

"You're leaving now?"

He swallows hard. "

That's the plan."

My words are hollow, an echo. "That's the plan… right. Because you're Ethan Strong, the Dangerous Noise guitarist, and music is everything to you. I get it. Yeah. Right."

"Vi-"

"You promised."

"This is a great opportunity."

It is. I know it is. And I want that for Ethan. But he fucking promised.

I want that to be enough for him. I can't compete with the millions of people who will watch that show. I can't compete with thousands of fans screaming his name.

I don't want to.

I want him promising me he'll be here to be enough to convince him to do it.

I want to matter that much to him.

I blink back a tear. I feel dizzy. I'm not sure if it's the head cold or if it's all the feelings stirring in my stomach.

I take a step towards the couch, but I trip on my blanket.

Ethan catches me. He pulls me into a tight hug. God, I want to absorb all the comfort of his arms.

But I can't.

"You're going to be late," I whisper.

He holds my body against his. "I can come back as soon as it's over."

"Right. Yeah. When is that?"

"Later tonight."

He promised me this day together and now he's leaving like it's nothing.

"And tomorrow, when you get a chance to play some corporate gig?" I pull away from his touch and plant on the couch.

Ethan turns to look at me. "No, I…"

He can't even promise he'll be here tomorrow.

"I thought things were going to be different. Why would they be different?" My voice gets soft. "I must be the stupidest person in the entire world."

He sits next to me on the couch.

I shake my head. "I guess it doesn't matter that I love you, does it?"