Page 1 of Fall Back
CHAPTER 1
CARSON
If I thought I could get away with driving into town hunched over to ensure no one could see me, I would do it. But since it wouldn’t be very safe, I have to sit up straight and take my chances. Of course, wanting to avoid as many people as possible means I’ve timed my entry into Wintervale for the early morning hours.
This’ll give me the chance to drive in, check things out, and move into the house I rented over the phone, with the help of my new boss at Big Sky Ink. My desire to keep things low-key is probably silly, considering I was in town for my brother’s wedding just a few months ago.
I’m not exactly the town pariah or anything. People reacting to me coming back isn’t what makes me want to keep it quiet. I just don’t think I can take the attention right now. Between the town, my brothers, and their women, it would be a big deal which is the last thing I want.
Would they have some sort of parade down Main Street? Probably not. But would they ask me questions I’m not willing to answer yet while demanding I spend time with them out at Limitless Ranch? Yes, and I’m just not ready yet.
I’d love to spend time with them. Soon, just not yet. I’ve missed things. Like how the brother I never thought would find love, Huxley, has settled down with Sunshine, the new veterinarian in town, since the last time I was in Wintervale. The reality is I’m just not ready. Not yet.
Coming back to Wintervale is the culmination of quite a few events. If they hadn’t all lined up or happened, I’d probably still be toughing it out in Denver. Don’t get me wrong, I loved living in Denver. Being there felt like I wasn’t just going after my dreams, I was living them.
When I left Wintervale, I was on a mission. I wanted to pursue my art and learn how to be a tattoo artist from talented people. It’s a goal I achieved, even though it took some time, which I expected. It happened though and I was growing my client base and my portfolio. After working at a few different shops, including the shop where I was an apprentice, I landed at Vibrant Ink and loved it there.
The people who work at Vibrant Ink are amazing. They opened their shop and their hearts to me. They were a family who welcomed me with open arms. I wish I could have given them more of me, a version of me who wasn’t jaded, one where I trusted more easily.
But by the time Wyatt hired me at Vibrant Ink, I had already spent far too much of my time living in fear. I had no idea what to do about the stalker I picked up. The fact that it was a former boss, and he never tried to hide his obsession with me made it worse.
I think he liked scaring me and making sure I was aware he was following me by sending me messages, little gifts, and calling me. Is that a stalker thing or is he just that creepy? I don’t know and I don’t care.
If only I had never worked for him. Dave Sharpe is a good tattoo artist, and I was so damn excited to work in his shop after I finished my apprenticeship. Fuck, I was naïve. And he knew it.
There have been so many times over the last few years when I wondered what I did to attract his attention. Then I want to kick my own ass because I didn’t do a damn thing to encourage him. Nothing I ever did should have allowed him to feel like the way he’s been terrorizing me is okay.
Should I really find some consolation in the fact that he hadn’t taken it too far? Should I really have to live with a pit of fear in my gut?
I quietly started looking at my options months ago. Then an exit strategy started to form.
During my visits home to Wintervale, I would keep an eye on Big Sky Ink and their reputation. At first it was more out of curiosity. I wondered how such an oddity would do in a town like Wintervale, when I had felt like the black sheep while I was growing up.
Last April, during one of the country’s largest tattoo conventions in Vegas, Big Sky Ink had a table. Even though I should have been helping to set up Vibrant Ink’s space, I marched right over and introduced myself to Roan, the owner of Big Sky.
“My name is Carson Burns,” I swear I saw recognition in Roan’s eyes at my last name. “You’re shop is in Wintervale, Montana, correct?”
Roan’s mouth tipped up in a smirk. “Hey, I’m Roan and, yeah, it is. Most people haven’t heard of it so I’m guessing it’s your hometown?”
“You would guess right with that one,” I sassed right back, trying to capture a little bit of the Carson I used to be, the Carson who wasn’t always looking over my shoulder. “I noticed Big Sky one time when I was visiting but didn’t have the time to stop in. When I go home, my brothers don’t let me have a lot of downtime.”
He snorted out a laugh. “Let me guess—too busy being overprotective and wanting to know every detail about your life without knowing anything too salacious?”
I laughed, a genuine laugh, and felt myself relax just a little bit more. “You’ve got them pegged.”
Roan nodded with a smile on his face, but it wasn’t slimy. It put me at ease, just like the guys I worked with at Vibrant Ink were able to do. I wasn’t being viewed as an object, but as a person. It felt good.
“I’ve seen the Burns brothers around town. Seems like there’s been a lot of activity lately out on the ranch,” he pointed out with a raised eyebrow.
“Yeah,” I agreed, “you’d think they could focus on their love lives and stay out of mine, but it’s hardwired in them to be nosey as fuck when it comes to me.”
Roan chuckled, the sound warm and inviting. He kind of reminded me of my brothers. Sure, he was attractive, but he didn’t really do much for me.
“So,” he gently prodded, “if you’re not in Wintervale, where are you?”
“I left Montana with the goal to make my art work for me. I was tired of being the black sheep and always feeling misunderstood, while also living in the shadow of my brothers. Denver felt right and I went after my goal. I got through my apprenticeship and have worked in a few shops there.” I held a thumb up over my shoulder as if that would be enough for him to know the booth in question. “Now, I’m at Vibrant Ink.”
Roan rubbed his jawline as he nodded thoughtfully. “Denver, huh? That’s a pretty big city with some higher end clientele.”
