There are things Micah knows about himself: he loves hard, he loves fast, and he’s always a bit too much. And his life has done nothing but prove him right, until a man shows up at the bar where he’s working and offers him more than just a new job - he offers him a family. Micah settles in in Fairfield, Colorado as Irons and Works’ newest tattoo artist, happy and only a little jealous of all these men who found their happily ever afters.

Micah knows that future isn’t for him though, and he can live with it. At least, he thinks he can, until one Thursday night, an unfamiliar man steps into Ruby’s bar with the weight of the world on his shoulders and desperation in his eyes.

The two quickly come to an agreement, unable to ignore the heat between them: No last names, no strings attached, and they only see each other one night a week.

It seems simple, but Micah knows his heart wasn’t made for moments - his heart wants forever.

Ryan’s life was on the easy path until his black-out hook up showed up at his door with a sick child and the words, “I can’t do this anymore.” From that moment on, his every waking moment is devoted to taking care of his daughter with a complicated chronic illness, and working as many hours as he can to make ends meet. He loves his little place in Fairfield, but he can’t ignore how profoundly lonely he’s starting to feel.

But Ryan also knows he can’t give more of himself to anyone except a few hours on Thursday nights.

When he meets Micah, however, his resolve is tested. He’s never wanted to compromise his chaotic reality more than when he has the gorgeous tattoo artist in his arms, and he’s almost willing to risk it all. But when things get even more complicated with his daughter’s health, Ryan isn’t sure he has the strength to risk his heart to the other man, because he has nothing else left to lose.

Will Ryan and Micah be able to find room for each other, or will they let the complications of reality tear them apart?

Scratcher is the seventh book in the Irons and Works series. It contains no cheating and a happily ever after.