Brooklyn’s brother-in-law, Liam Kelly, owns Smokin’ Guns Tattoo Shop. I try not to think of who else works at the shop that I could possibly run into. I’ve done a great job at avoiding him for years now, but I can’t tell Brooklyn that, so instead I just nod and cross my fingers the universe will be on my side and Moose won’t be working that day.
“Perfect. What time works for you?” she asks.
“Since your husband was nice enough to give me the day off, I’d planned to visit my mom’s grave in the morning, then go home and cook her favorite meal, look through some photo albums, so… evening? Any time works.”
“Do you want me to spend the day with you? I could get a babysitter for Lance.”
I shake my head. “I feel like this is something I need to do alone.”
“I understand.” And I know she does, which is why I didn’t have to feel bad about turning her offer down.
“Okay, I’ll chat with Liam and text you to let you know the time.”
“Mommy,” Lance says, abandoning his chair and coming over to the couch where we sit. “Can we go to the greenhouse now?”
I smile at the adorable way he says greenhouse and stand from the couch, picking him up. “Only if you promise to show me all the plants.”
“I can show you them all.” Then he wraps his arms around my neck as I head to the front door to slip my shoes on.
“You’re going to make a great mom someday,” Brooklyn says, following behind us.
I squeeze Lance a little tighter. I’m not sure that’s in the cards for me, but I vow to be the best pseudo-aunt ever.
Chapter Two
Moose
I climb on my Harley, put the kickstand up, and start the engine. She purrs and I rev her a couple times just because I like the sound. A lot of people would think I was a dumb fuck for planning to ride around the Alaskan wilderness on a motorcycle at night, what with the moose and deer running across the road, but by the time I finish my bouncer duties at Poppy’s, it’ll be twilight as I’m making my way home. Besides, you gotta go sometime and going on a Harley isn’t the worst way to leave this world.
I book it down to Smokin’ Guns to pick up my paycheck. Liam is a great guy but hasn’t figured out what direct deposit is yet, so every Thursday our pay waits in his office.
Tattooing is my main gig, but I picked up the side job at Poppy’s biker bar nine months ago to earn a little extra coin. Not for any reason in particular, but I’m single and most of my buddies are now married and starting families and there’s only so much Call of Duty a guy can play.
Which might beg the question why I stay in this small town if there’s not much action, but it suits me. I didn’t show up here from the lower forty-eight until I was in my early twenties. I’m a bit of a loner to begin with, so moving to a place that wasn’t overpopulated seemed like a perfect idea. Plus, touring on my bike without having to drive an hour out of the city before it was enjoyable is a good way to live.
So, though I took the extra job as a way to fill my time, it doesn’t mean I don’t like my life, it’s just that lately I’ve felt like maybe it was time for… more. More what, I’m not sure. But something is missing.
I park my bike around the back of the shop knowing the back door will be locked, I walk around the building to the front and step inside. I’m only a few steps in when I come to an abrupt halt, seeing who’s standing there.
Reagan Hastings.
And Brooklyn Bailey, but my eyes only focus on the woman whose long, curly dark hair is always wild looking, and whose curves I know from experience fit to my large body perfectly.
Reagan stares back at me with a stunned expression.
“Hey, Moose,” Liam says, stepping out from the back and pulling me from my revery. “I just put the paychecks in the slots in my office.”
We only get paid once a week but we get cashed out on tips every shift, so each employee has their own slot in Liam’s office.
“Yeah, thanks.” I rip my eyes away from Reagan and look over at Liam.
“How’s it going, Moose?” Brooklyn asks.
“It’s goin’. You?” I grunt.
“Not bad. Reagan’s getting her first tattoo tonight,” Brooklyn says. “I’m here for moral support.”
Reagan’s the one getting the tattoo. Interesting. Last time we… were together she didn’t have any ink on her gorgeous body. I explored every inch of her many times over—with my tongue.
Obviously, she’s chosen Liam to tattoo her. My hands clench at my sides at the thought of someone else’s hand inking something on Reagan’s virgin skin. It shouldn’t matter. Reagan made it clear that she wasn’t interested in me, but it still stings.
“Cool. Well, see ya.” I stomp in my Doc Martens to the back of the shop and Liam’s office.
I know I’m coming off as a prick, but it’s not like I’m known for my conversational skills anyway. But this is the closest I’ve been to Reagan in years, and it’s… too much.
I go over to the slot and pull the envelope from it, fold it in half and shove it in the back pocket of my jeans. Then I turn and stomp from the office back toward the door, anxious to get out of here.
Liam’s wife, Savannah, is in the parlor along with their toddler, Brinley, when I come out. Brinley is not happy, the kid is screaming in Savannah’s arms, wailing at the top of her lungs.
“Looks like I missed all the fun,” I say, and Liam looks at me over his shoulder, giving me the cut eye.
Brooklyn walks over and tries to rub her niece’s back to calm her. “The cut looks bad, Sav,” she says.
“It hurts,” she wails, sobbing into her mom’s chest.
Savannah looks over at Liam with pleading eyes. I glance over Brooklyn’s shoulder to see Brinley’s cut on her leg is oozing blood.
He pushes his hands through his hair and looks over at me. We both know he’s gotta leave.
Savannah looks over at me. “We were leaving Lard Have Mercy after our dinner and she fell down and cut herself on something.”
I can tell Savannah is worried.
Liam returns with the first aid kid and bends to whisper into Brinley’s ear, “This might hurt a little, but you’re a strong little girl, right?”
She shakes her head against her mother’s chest, not bothering to look over at him.
Liam looks to Savannah investigating the cut. It’s way too deep for just a Band-Aid.
“You know what, we can do this another night. It’s no big deal,” Reagan says.
“No, today is the anniversary.” Brooklyn frowns at her friend because what choice do they have at this point..
It’s then I realize what today is and my gaze darts over to her. She peeks up at me for a brief second before she looks at Liam.
“It’s fine. Really.”
“I’ll do it.” The words are out of my mouth before I consider the repercussions of this decision. Everyone in the room turns to look at me, and I shrug like it’s no big thing. “You know, if it needs to be tonight. Just sayin’, I can do it.”
“You sure, man? What about your—” Liam starts.