Tempting (Inked Hearts 1)

Mal nods.

They shake.

This feels way too fucking easy, but it's not like they're best friends now. They're ready to work together again. They're ready to occupy the same space.

That's the best it's going to get for a while.

Joel chugs his new water bottle and tosses it in the trash. He turns to me. "You got a plan for fixing shit with Valentine?"

"Not yet," I say.

Joel's brow furrows. "That girl is fucking mad about you. You'd have to try to fuck it up."

Kit nods. "She lights up around you."

It's not like I threw her away. I want Violet around, but I keep fucking it up.

"What did she say?" Joel asks.

A lot, but one thing stands out. "She wants to come first."

Joel cocks a brow. "Ethan, don't tell me you're too fast on the trigger."

I have to laugh. It's the first thing I've felt since I walked out of Violet's door. It's another thing I want to share with her. She'd crack up over the bad joke.

"No, I always get her off first," I say.

"Good man." Joel laughs.

"She wants to be a priority," I say.

Joel's brow screws. "Isn't she?"

"Evidence speaks for itself," Kit says. "He chose this over her. Bet it's not the first time he chose the band over her."

Joel jumps in. "Ethan, you're an amazing guitarist. As good as Drew—but don't tell him I said that. And you've got more stage presence than he does. You belong here, with the band, but you don't have to throw away everything else. We made shit work with Kit's recovery. We'll make shit work so you and Violet can last. All due respect, but you're a miserable little shit when she's not around. You act all happy, but it drops fast and you don't seem to get much out of drinking or sleeping with groupies."

"Still Joel's favorite pastimes," Kit teases.

Joel flips him off playfully.

Kit returns the gesture.

My shoulders relax as I sigh. Shit is still fucked up with Violet, but this is getting back to normal.

The band really is going to be okay.

"The woman spent the last week with the three of us on a tiny bus because she wants to be with you. She gave up her break to be with you," Joel says. "Back when you two were together, she was always around. She didn't miss a single fucking show. Not one."

He's right. Fuck… I've been making Violet a priority, but only when it works for me. Chose music over her the first time we broke up.

Did it again today.

I get that she doesn't want to feel like one of Mal's fuck buddies, like I expect her to say how high when I ask her to jump.

"What the fuck are you doing to be with her?" he asks.

Nothing. Fuck. "She's taking a job in Orange County."