Page 22 of September's Bad Boy: Cooper
RILEY
The paint roller makes a soft, rhythmic sound as I glide it over the wooden trim around the gym's entrance. The color is fresh, warm, a shade Cooper picked to give the place a clean start. A new chapter. I dip the roller back into the tray and glance over my shoulder where he’s crouched near the baseboards, brushing along the edge with quiet concentration. His shirt clings to his back, streaked with sweat and smudges of paint, and even in something as mundane as this, he looks steady and focused.
I’ve spent the whole day in this space, working alongside him, and it still feels surreal. Like we’ve stepped into some delicate peace that could crack if I breathe too hard. But it’s not just the moment I’m afraid to disturb. It’s him, us.
My heart thuds heavily as I watch him, and for a moment I feel dizzy with everything I’ve been carrying. Finally, I set the roller down and wipe my hands on my shorts. I need to make sure he knows how I feel. Then maybe I'll be able to concentrate.
“Cooper,” I say softly.
He looks up, his eyes meeting mine, paintbrush still in hand.
I hesitate only a moment, debating what I’m going to say, before the words tumble out of me.
“I meant what I said after the fire. I want this, you, us. Not just for a night or a few stolen moments. I’m tired of pretending it’s anything less than what it is.”
His expression shifts, a guarded sliding into place behind his eyes. He stands slowly and sets the brush aside.
“Riley…” he starts, voice thick.
“I know,” I interrupt gently. “You’re worried. About Jason. About the town. But I’m not.”
He rubs a hand across the back of his neck. “Things are just starting to settle with him. I can’t push him too far too fast.”
“And what about you?” I ask. “What do you want?”
He looks at me like I’ve asked the wrong question. Or maybe the hardest one.
“I want you,” he says finally. “But I’m scared of losing everything again.”
My throat tightens.
“You already have everything, Coop,” I whisper. “You just haven’t let yourself believe it yet.”
Before he can respond, the front door creaks open, and heavy footsteps echo in the entrance. Turning, I find Jason stepping inside, his expression stormy, eyes locked on me.
Of course.
“What the hell, Riley?” he snaps. “I heard you’ve been hanging around here, helping him? You’re really choosing him? After everything?”
“Don’t do this,” I tell Jason calmly. “Not here.”
“No, let’s do it here. I came to talk to Cooper but found you here, so two for one,” Jason growls, his voice rising. “Let’s talk about how you threw away everything we had for a guy who went to prison.”
My pulse roars in my ears, but I plant my feet.
“You broke up with me, Jason. You didn’t believe me when I told you what happened, and you made it clear I was just a placeholder until you figured out what you wanted.”
His face reddens. “And you think he’s better? You think he’s safe? We were young and I was confused. But then you wouldn’t give me the time of day to talk about it. You graduated and I didn’t see you again until you showed up here? With him of all people?”
“He protected me,” I say, louder now, my voice echoing off the gym walls. “When that guy came after me, Cooper was the one who stepped in. He took the fall because no one else would. He served time for doing the right thing. You didn’t even believe me when I told you what happened.”
Jason flinches as if I slapped him.
I take a shaky breath. “You walked away when I needed you. He didn’t. So don’t stand here and pretend like you’re the one who got hurt.”
The gym falls silent.
Until now, I hadn’t noticed anyone else had walked in, I know Cooper said Ruby was going to bring a few people to help today. Now I spot Ruby standing near the corner, arms crossed, watching. Caitlin is next to her, gaze soft and steady. A few others, town regulars, hover near the entrance. With the door open, they heard everything.
