Page 18 of Fall Back
I clear my throat and straighten my shoulders. I’m not the young girl I was when I left here, and I won’t let them treat me like I am.
“You heard correctly. I’ve moved back to Wintervale,” my voice is steady and sure.
“And it looks like others,” Noel looks pointedly at his best friend, “knew about this before us.” He narrows his eyes in such a way that the threat is clear, but Jared ignores it completely without flinching. It’s much hotter than it should be. “How long have you been in town?”
Dad huffs and mumbles, “I asked the same question before the three of you showed up like you’re the damn mafia of the ranch.”
I close my eyes for a moment before pushing slightly away from Jared so I’m able to stand on my own. When I open my eyes again, Delaney and Sunshine have joined my brothers on the front porch, their faces curious. I would be too. Family drama is usually the most entertaining.
“I’ve been in town for about two weeks,” I admit, and a variety of sounds come from my family. Some are angry, some are incredulous, some are annoyed; all of them loud and exactly what I was afraid of. I don’t let it deter me. “A few months ago, I met Roan, and he told me if I ever wanted to move home then I’d have a spot at Big Sky Ink. I decided it was time a few weeks ago, got everything together, and made the move.”
Mom’s tone is filled with concern, “Where are you living, honey? With Maggie? You know you’re always welcome here.”
I smile at my mom, glad she has my back and doesn’t sound mad, only worried. “Roan helped me find a rental and everything was set up before I moved. I’m in town.”
“You’ve been in town for two weeks and no one mentioned a damn thing to us?” Fletcher sounds put out and pissed.
When I look over at him, Eden is rubbing his arm while Macklin and August, Delaney’s little brother, talk quietlytogether, not at all worried or bothered about the ridiculousness of the adults around them.
“I’m not in charge of the rumor mill in this town. I’ll own the fact that I didn’t come out here and see you all.” My shoulders slump and I just want this part to be over. “I wanted to settle in and start work first.”
“Before seeing us?” Huxley’s voice is laced with hurt, and it twists my heart in my chest.
“I’m sorry,” I tell him while meeting his gaze. “I just needed a little time.”
“Yeah,” Noel snorts, his eyes moving back and forth between me and Jared, “we can see that.”
“You know,” Delaney cuts in, “dinner is ready. Boys?” August and Macklin look up at her, and she nods toward the house. “Will you set two more plates, please?” After they take off running, she offers me a genuine smile. “Lets get these grumps fed. I have a feeling things will look a lot better when they’re not hangry.”
Noel hauls her against his chest and whispers something in her ear that has her turning pink. Gross, for sure, but I’m grateful as hell for her.
We all shuffle inside, wash our hands and find seats around the table with Jared making sure we’re next to each other. I could kiss him, but I hold off. For now.
Just as we all settle into our seats, Fletcher looks at me, his eyes earnest. “We’re glad you’re home, Carson. Never doubt that. We love you.”
Some of my nerves disappear as my brothers all grumble their agreement and their love. Maybe this won’t be so bad.
“I love you guys too,” I tell them. A feeling of rightness at being back in Wintervale settles over me in a way it hasn’t been able to while I was hiding from my family.
I should have come by sooner, but I didn’t. I’ll have to find a way to thank Jared for taking the decision out of my hands today, not only because it was the right thing to do, but because it was the right thing for me.
Hopefully, they’ll accept the answers to the questions I already know are coming.
CHAPTER 8
JARED
I’m glad the guys softened toward their sister as we sat down for dinner. I could feel how tense she was becoming, and I didn’t like it. They have no idea how close I was to stepping in and telling them where to shove it.
Sure, I might not have agreed with Carson’s choice to keep her arrival from her family, but it was her choice. She didn’t offer excuses for it either, she simply stated why she made the choice she did, and left it at that.
I’m sure as hell not going to mention to her brothers that I think there’s more she’s not saying. Hell no.
They’re already on the edge of being pissed.
And I’m sure that how obviously close I am with her isn’t helping their reaction. They aren’t sure whether to become feral over the idea of protecting their sister, being happy she’s home for good, or being pissed because she didn’t parade down to theranch the moment she arrived in town.
It’s kind of amusing to watch.
