Page 3 of Fall Back
“I’m in Wintervale.”
Silence descends on the other end of the line, lasting long enough for me to pull my phone away from my ear to make sure the call didn’t drop. It hasn’t. I’ve just rendered her speechless.
“You’re in Wintervale?” Her question is filled with shock, and I can’t say I blame her.
“I am. I got an offer at Big Sky, and I’ve moved home.” She sucks in a breath, and I can almost tell that she’s about toscreech, so I add on quickly, “I haven’t told anyone. You’re the only one who knows.”
“Holy shit,” she breathes out, her voice strained as she tries to contain her excitement. “You’re here. In Wintervale.”
“Yup,” I pop the p.
“Bitch,” she holds out the word and there is so much unsaid there. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? How long have you known? Why haven’t you told your family? “I’m coming over after work and bringing food and wine. Text me where you’re staying.”
Without waiting for me to reply, not like I’d try and tell her no, Maggie hangs up and all I can do is sigh. I’m going to have to answer all her questions tonight. She won’t let me off the hook.
At least for now I can enjoy a little peace and quiet. Oh, and unpacking. How lovely.
I don’t start work for a little while which means I have time to get settled in. There’s no way I can avoid my family forever. If I’m not careful they’ll hear about my reappearance from someone in town if I don’t go out to Limitless soon. But that’s a problem for another day.
Right now, all I want to do is feel safe and get some things in order. I think that’s more than enough for today.
CHAPTER 2
JARED
I should have gone straight home after my shift, but the thought of it just didn’t sit right with me. It’s not like there’s nothing I could do at home either. My breakfast dishes are in the sink and there is laundry to be done.
But I’d be all alone there.
While I don’t normally have a problem with being alone, given how many people I interact with daily, my family living in town, and my best friend being down the road, I’ve noticed a lonely feeling creeping in lately. I don’t like it. Not one bit.
Loneliness is a strange thing. There was a time when I would have welcomed the feeling, but I don’t anymore. I hate it. It crawls along my skin and skitters down my spine.
I’m not even sure when my feelings about being lonely changed. Was it around the time when my sister, Morgan, found love with my coworker, Walker? Then there’s when my littlestsister, Cove, found love with a famous rock star, which means she’s not coming back to Wintervale anytime soon for more than a visit.
Perhaps it was when my best friend, Noel, was delivered the woman meant for him right to his door. It’s kind of wild how he met Delaney. He wanted to start an equine therapy program out at Limitless Ranch, and Delaney ended up being the person who came out to help with getting it off the ground. What are the fucking odds?
Now, he has his woman, and a little brother who looks up to him like a father figure since Delaney has been raising August on her own for years after their parent’s passing. The man went from alone and doing his thing out at the ranch to having a little family. I won’t be surprised when he announces they’re having a baby either.
The man is fucking glowing and if I didn’t love him so much as my oldest and best friend, I might hate him.
Regardless of when it started, or even why, being alone makes me all introspective and shit now. It’s not okay and I’m sick of it.
Which is why I find myself at The Range Bar and Grill after my shift instead of at home. Noel’s not here tonight and neither is my sister and Walker; all the better for me.
I need to stop worrying about forever and get back to who I was before everyone started pairing up. Back when I’d go out and find someone to hook up with without any expectation of commitment. So, I’m out to see who’s around.
It’s not as busy as it would be if it were the weekend, but there’s still a good crowd. I’ve been checking things out while nursing a beer but haven’t found anyone I’m interested in yet. I’m not ready to throw in the towel though either.
When there’s movement on the other side of me, I turn in that direction to find Brandy sliding onto the empty stool next to me. Her eyes meet mine and her mouth curls into a smile that’s meant to appear bright and inviting. I’m sure when she’s working and interacting with people who don’t know her, it would look real. I know better, but I also can’t deny that Brandy is a pretty woman on the surface.
Yeah, just on the surface. It makes her a fairly successful flight attendant, but everyone knows she’s made enemies around town because of her personality.
“Hi Jared,” Brandy purrs.
I give her a chin lift and force a smile onto my face. “How’s your night going, Brandy? It’s been a while since I’ve seen you around.”
She shrugs one delicate shoulder, the sweater she’s wearing falling down to expose more skin. “I’ve been working a lot,” she explains. “There have been longer stretches, along with a few international flights on some legs.”
