Page 34 of Fall Back
It takes a strong woman not to buckle under that kind of pressure and strain.
I’m also glad they found their way into our family. Now they have support and help whenever they need it. Mack and August were always meant to be part of our family, I feel it in my soul.
After helping collect all the dirty dishes and cleaning up, I meet up with my brothers and the boys in the back where the fire pit is. I remember chilly nights when the fire would come in very handy. It was a touchstone for our family for a long time.We would make smores or sometimes roast hotdogs out here in this very spot.
As memories wash over me, I can’t believe I stayed away from Montana for as long as I did. Just because some people didn’t understand me when I was growing up, and I found it difficult to fit in, shouldn’t have made me wary of the entirety of Wintervale. And it shouldn’t have made me run from my family.
I shake off those thoughts because it worked out in the end. I’m back and I have a career that I’m damn proud of.
If only Dave would fuck off. Then everything would be perfect.
Oh, and maybe I should admit to Jared that I’ve fallen in love with him.
Soon.
I’ve almost blurted it out so many times that I should be embarrassed. It’s not like I don’t know he feels the same way about me. I can feel it when he looks at me and in the way he reaches for me without hesitation and with solace in his touch. He seeks me out on hard days, but also on good days as well. I’m not a bandage for his pain; he treats me like the partner he’s been waiting his entire life for.
After the smores are cleaned up and Macklin and August are leaning against each other with little snores coming from their chests, which is adorable by the way, I go around and hug my family. I soak up their love, something I denied myself for far too long.
I swear Mom can read my mind and how much it all means to me because she hugs me just a moment longer than she normally would. “I’m so glad you’re back,” she murmurs low enough for only me to hear.
When I get to Fletcher, his mouth is tipped down into a frown. “Are you good to drive back to town? I can give you a ride and one of the guys can drive your car, so you have it for tomorrow.”
I almost laugh at his offer because it’s such a Fletcher thing to be worried about, such a big brother thing. I’ve come to realize it’s how he shows you he cares. In that light, it’s sweet. When I was growing up, it made me feel stifled, but now I see it for what it is.
Love.
“I promise I’m good to drive. I didn’t drink and I’m wide awake,” I assure him.
He studies my face for a moment before he nods and wraps me up in his arms to give me a hug. “We’ve got your back, little sister,” he whispers.
Tears prick the backs of my eyes, but I blink them back. Damn it. Sometimes my brother’s sweetness shines through in a way that just gets to me.
Noel grumbles something about how Jared better be taking care of me while Huxley tries to give me a noogie. By the time I head over to my car, I’m flipping off my brothers over my shoulders, and Mom and Dad are laughing at our antics.
Home.
It feels like home.
The feeling stays with me throughout the drive. Even though I don’t love walking into an empty house, I know Jared will be by when his shift is over.
I settle into bed with my tablet to get some drawing done for a client who had a consultation earlier in the day. Now that I’vebeen at Big Sky for a little while, I’m glad I made the decision to join the crew. It’s a good spot and the shop is clean and big enough for everyone.
Business has been good, and I’ve been getting some attention on my social media. My clientele will only grow as I establish myself in the area. I’m looking forward to seeing how my schedule and wait list fills up.
And I’m looking forward to how things with Jared will grow. He’s the last thing I think about as I put my tablet to the side and fall asleep.
CHAPTER 14
JARED
I groan as I step out of the station with Walker right next to me. He chuckles and nods in understanding. We’ve had a long ass shift and I’m only glad nothing kept us on the clock any longer. It would have put me in a shit mood, for sure.
It’s been too long since I’ve seen Carson even though she stopped by the station to say hi before she headed out to Limitless for dinner. Knowing she was out there with her brothers made me feel a little better because they have her back.
However, the thought of her being at her house alone for the last few hours has my stomach knotting.
There have been no Dave sightings for a few days, but I don’t believe he’s gone. Carson being alone has the hair on the back of my neck standing up.
