Sometimes the best thing for a person is to just start over. Go somewhere new, start fresh, and just let go or escape the past or whatever they feel like is holding them back. It's hard to break the chains that have held you in one place for so long and even after you do break the chains, it can be hectic trying to figure out what's next or escaping the past. That's me; that's where I am at right now, trying to figure out what's next in my life, what else can I do in my life, what makes me happy instead of other people happy etc. all while trying to make sure my past stays in the past. This is my story; this is my journey to finding myself, finding happiness, and finding a future for myself. My name is Katherine Nichols, I just turned 30 years old, I'm 5'8 with shoulder length dark brown hair and brown eyes, and I have just moved to Franklin, Colorado which is a small city not far from Denver, Colorado maybe an hour drive and even less than that to get to Aurora, Colorado but here you will find a lot of homes with lots of acres etc.
Jan. 10th, 2028 (Monday)
I sighed before walking into the last store on main street which turned out to be a tattoo parlor. It was at the end of the street and I did notice it looked to be an apartment attached to the parlor because it had two floors to it but only the first floor was the tattoo parlor. When I walked in, the bell above the door went off along with some flashing lights along the walls inside. I thought it was strange to have the flashing lights in a tattoo parlor but I just walked towards the front counter and waited for someone since the parlor seemed empty. It didn't take long before the curtains covering the back part of the parlor moved and a guy walked towards the counter. The guy was covered in tattoos on both arms and had one earring in each ear. He had to be at least 6'4 and had black hair and dark green eyes (darker than anyone's eyes I've seen). His hair was cut short for the underneath part but the top part was long so he had it up in a ponytail. He looked to be a little bit older than me but I couldn't tell how much older. He was wearing a black pair of pants and a white t-shirt which made it easy to see that he had tattoos underneath his shirt I just couldn't make out what they were. I quickly looked away before he made it to the counter. He stopped on the other side of the counter in front of me. He raised one eyebrow as he looked me up and down. I knew that look because I've gotten it pretty much since I've been here because of the way I dress. I'm wearing a long dark blue dress with a high neckline so the only skin I'm showing is my arms besides my face. My hair is done up in a bun and I have no tattoos or piercings.
"Hi, I'm new to Franklin and I was just wondering if perhaps you are hiring or need help. I have a resume if you want to see it." I said with my best business smile.
He gave me another look before taking a notepad out from under the counter then he wrote something on it.
"I'll save you the trouble Sweetheart. He's deaf so unless you know sign language talking to him is going to be a slow painful process." Another guy said then I turned to see him leaning against the wall beside the curtain.
This guy looked to be the same age as the guy behind the counter and he looked to be 6'2 maybe. He had just as many tattoos as the other guy but more piercings in his ears. He had dark blonde hair that was short and light blue eyes.
"I'm Gavin and that's my best friend/ owner/tattoo artist Callen." He said pointing to himself then to the guy behind the counter.
I saw Callen sign something so I looked at him then Gavin signed something back.
"Callen said you must be new here and I told him you were and that you were looking for a job." Gavin said as he signed it.
"What's your name?" Gavin asked still signing as he talked.
"Katherine but everyone calls me Kat." I said and he nodded his head.
"He wants to know if you ever worked in a tattoo parlor or shop before." Gavin said.
"No this would be my first but I've had plenty of secretary jobs etc. so I would have no problem being the front desk person." I said.
"Be here tomorrow at 8 o'clock and we'll fill out the new employee paperwork then." Gavin said.
"Thank you so much. You two won't regret this." I said smiling at both of them and he smiled at me.
"Not a problem Sweetheart." He said before winking at me then I turned around and walked out of the store.
Callen's POV
After Katherine walked out of the store, Gavin walked towards the counter then stopped in front of it before leaning against it.
He signed you sure about this? That girl has innocence, virgin, never been in trouble, never cussed, etc. written all over her.
I signed yes, she needs a job and we need help plus who are we to judge what people look like when people give us strange looks all the time.
He nodded his head.
He signed so, who's calling dibs on her because she is hot in that never been touch way.
I gave him a look before walking away and I just knew he was probably laughing.
I went back to the back to get my stuff ready for my next client and Gavin joined me not long after that since he works at the parlor too. We are the only two tattoo artists at Fire and Stone's Ink.
Later on after the parlor closed at 8, we cleaned up before going down to the local bar King's Tavern to meet up with our friends. Our friends had already ordered a round of beers for everyone so Gavin and me just sat down at the table.
Jake smiled at me before signing how's business.
I signed good.
I drunk some of my beer as Gavin shook his head.
Gavin signed Callen hired a hot new girl to work at the shop. She has innocence written all over her.
All of them looked at me after that including Raven (Jake's wife).
Raven signed you sure that's a great idea? Most people around here already judge us due to the way we look think about what they are going to do to her when they find out she is working there.
I signed she needed a job and we needed help.
She gave me a look.
She signed okay, I'll come by tomorrow to meet her because she will need all the friends she can get now.
I nodded my head.
Gavin signed I think he's calling dibs on her and he just won't admit it. She doesn't know sign language yet so he's going to have a time flirting with her.
I picked up a peanut and threw it at him and I saw everyone laugh.
Mitchell signed there's nothing wrong with him showing interest in a new girl. It's about time after what Shelby did to him all those years ago.
I shook my head before drinking more of my beer.
Raven signed maybe she'll learn sign language to be able to talk to you. I can teach her.
I signed no, if she wants to learn then okay but don't suggest it.
She nodded her head while Gavin smiled at me.
Gavin signed dude, you know I love you. If you like this girl then go for it, she's new in town just think about all the places and stuff you can show her.
I gave him a look before nodding my head.
I signed you really think she will be interested in any of us, like you said she has innocent written all over her with no tattoos or piercings.
Mitchell signed anything is possible.
Jake signed how do you think she is going to take it when the MC has their biweekly Friday meetings there? You think she will be okay being surrounded by a lot of guys that look like us and some that are bigger and scarier?
Raven quickly signed I'll be at those meetings and I'll keep her safe. Plus doesn't Daisy come back from vacation tomorrow so she won't be the only person working at the parlor that isn't in the MC?
Gavin signed yeah but Daisy is dating Harrison.
I shook my head before signing if she has a problem with it then I can always give her those Friday mornings off because we open later on those days anyway.
They all gave me a look before nodding their heads.
Mitchell signed guess we'll find out this Friday since that is when the next meeting is. I'll come over Thursday night after closing to bring some of the stuff for the meeting over.
I nodded my head and he smiled at me.
We stayed at the bar until close to midnight then we went our separate ways. I went back to my parlor and to the apartment above it. I took a shower before going to bed close to 1 o'clock in the morning. I made sure to set an alarm clock for 7 o'clock so I would be up and ready before Katherine gets here even though I know Gavin always gets to the parlor at 7:30.