CHAPTER FIVE

It had been three weeks since their night at the bar. Noah's ribs hardly ever hurt now, so he'd spent a bunch of time working on his car. He finally g ot the thing going. Now, he had to hope the damn thing kept running.

"I'm gonna go grab some more wood." Noah picked up his T-shirt from where he'd tossed it on one of the posts, and wiped the sweat from his forehead. They had their priorities straight, and decided to build the deck out back before working on anything inside the house. It would be perfect for barbequing. Who needed an updated inside when you could be outdoors?

"Need any help?" Coop looked over at him and rubbed a hand over his short hair. God damn, he'd grown up nice. No matter how hard he tried , he couldn't, not notice Coop. Strong, sexy, and cocky always drew his eye. His jeans rode low on his hips and Noah wished like hell Cooper was gay, so he had even the slightest chance to be able to lick the "v" that disappeared below his jeans. To unzip his pants and let his tongue trace Cooper's dick.

Stop it. Stop those fucking thoughts right there, man. This was the first real friend he ever had, and probably the best one. Thoughts like that would screw everything up. Only they'd been happening more and more… And, he could have sworn Cooper knew Noah couldn't help but look at him, and he didn't seem to mind it.

In your dreams, man.

"Nah, I'm good. I got it." He threw the shirt back down before heading over to the shed that held all their supplies for the deck. Noah grabbed a heavy load, maneuvering the long boards around the door before heading around back again.

Noah dropped them to the ground beside Cooper.

"We're getting it knocked out pretty fast."

"Sure are." N oah handed him one of the pieces of wood and they laid it on the frame. It was another hot day today, the sun beating down on them.

"We should plant some more trees back here. And I can put us up a patio cover in a few hours." As soon as the words left Noah's mouth, he started to backtrack. "A cover for you, I mean." Even though he'd been here for a month now, this wasn't his place. Sure he was renting a room from Coop, but that wouldn't last forever. He wasn't sure why he'd said that. He'd always just kind of felt comfortable with Cooper. From the first time they collided jumping for that football, he'd felt a connection with his friend.

"You live here, don't ya?" Cooper replied, as he laid out another board.

"I do, but that doesn't make it my house."

"It's not like I don't have the room, man. And you're putting in the work too. You'll be here enjoying it."

Noah could tell by the tone of his voice what he was doing. "Still doesn't make it my house. Now stop trying to argue with me , just to hear yourself speak."

Laughing, Cooper picked up the electric screwdriver and put a few screws into place.

It took them another hour and a half to get the rest of the boards laid out. They were quiet some of the time, and talked about random shit the rest of it.

"I think that's good for today." Cooper leaned against the deck.

"Too old to keep going?" Noah teased. It was early evening already but he liked any excuse he could find to give his friend shit.

"Fuck off." Coop shoved Noah's arm and smiled. "I'm going easy on you."

"Easy isn't the last way I like it," Noah winked at him. Ah, hell. Why did he keep getting himself into trouble where Cooper was concerned? Coop's eyes held a flash of surprise, and Noah almost apologized again, but this time, he let it go. "I'm gonna head inside."

He began to walk past Cooper when Coop reached out and grabbed his arm. Damned if he didn't like that rough, calloused hand on him a little too much.

He didn't let go when Noah stopped moving.

"It's cooling off. Why don't we relax out here for a while with a beer or something? I think we deserve it, after how we both worked our asses off today."

Even though Noah had been the one to say he was going inside, he didn't want to. All he'd wanted to do was avoid any chance of awkwardness there could be , between them. And to get his head on straight after the way he'd been eyeing Coop all day.

But a beer sounded nice. There was nothing wrong with having a drink with a friend on a warm summer night .

"I could use a beer or two." He looked down at Cooper's hand still holding his arm. When he did, Cooper jerked it away.

"We have leftover pizza in there , too."

They always ordered an extra one so they could eat off it for a couple days. Neither of them were very good cooks.

They went into the house. Coop threw some ice into a small cooler and pushed a few beers inside for each of them, while Noah filled two plates with pizza and tossed them in the microwave. It only took a couple minutes before they were both sitting in lawn chairs out back, with their feet up, the cooler between them and a plate of pizza on each of their laps.

"So, is it good to be back?" Coop asked him.

Noah finished chewing before he replied. "It is. This place has always felt like home to me."

"Yeah I remember you saying that when we were kids. I thought you were crazy as hell."

Cooper's parents had died, and he'd moved here about six months before Noah had showed up. "You were still adjusting. Doesn't mean you didn't love it though. I remember." Cooper was Blackcreek and Blackcreek was Cooper. At least, where Noah was concerned.

Coop nodded and Noah couldn't help but wonder if he was remembering some of their childhood adventures.

"Without running the risk of sounding like a sap, I'll admit it got better after you got here. Hell, we had fun didn't we?"

Noah looked over as Cooper took a drink of his beer. He watched Coop's neck as he swallowed it down, wishing he could taste his skin. Christ, he was horny. He needed to get out of the house more, and do it without Cooper. It seemed whenever Cooper wasn't working, they were always together. "We did."

And then , because he thought it was a good idea, he changed the subject. "I'm thinking it's about time I start looking into getting my business going." He'd been reluctant when he first moved back, because coming to Blackcreek had been a spur-of-the-moment decision, anyway. There'd been the chance he wouldn't want to stay—that being here wouldn't feel quite the same way it had when he was a kid. In the short month he'd been back, Noah knew he wanted to stay.

"No shit? That's good. Making things more permanent."

"Eh," Noah shrugged. "Figure this is as good a place as any." He felt Cooper's eyes on him, probably glad his friend was moving back for sure, but Noah couldn't meet his gaze. He needed to nip this attraction he felt, now. "It'll be some work getting it off the ground. Will probably be slow in going, so it's best I get started now."

"I'm glad you're stayin', man. Seriously, you're welcome here as long as you want." Coop set his plate on the ground.

"You just like the free labor." Both men laughed.

The sun began to lower, the air slightly cooling but not enough to really matter. Behind Coop's yard, was nothing but trees and open sky. Noah loved it. He always had. Blackcreek was beautiful.

"Tell me about the army," Cooper asked, his voice thoughtful and deep.

"Not much to tell. It was the military. Tough as hell. Spent a little time in Iraq. It's not something I really like to talk about."

"Sorry. Didn't mean to pry."

This time Noah couldn't help but look over at him. Coop smiled, and it was still that same confident, mischievous smile as when they were kids. But then he cocked his head a little…seemed to dissect Noah in a different way. Because, he didn't want to speak about his time in the army, maybe?

Noah cleared his throat. "You didn't pry. All you did was ask a question."

"And you said you had a…"

"Boyfriend?" Noah chuckled.

"Bastard . Yeah, you were seeing someone before you came back? Hell, I've never been serious about anyone. It's just not something I see for myself. Were you guys?"

Noah groaned. The last thing he wanted to do was talk about David—especially to Cooper. He knew what Noah went through as a child. It made him feel like a chump , that he had fallen for someone who would do the same shit his mom had.

"I thought we were serious." Before Coop had the chance to ask him what happened, Noah continued. "And, why am I not surprised you've never been serious about someone?"

His friend laughed. "Variety is way too much fun to only have one flavor for the rest of your life."

They both laughed again, helping Noah dodge the David bullet, and to stop wondering why Cooper would be curious about his relationships anyway.

***

Coop watched as Noah's chest and stomach heaved in and out with laughter. Eyed the bar piercing through his nipples. And Jesus…wondered how they would feel against his tongue. What it would be like to run his hand over Noah's firm muscles.

He whipped his head around, and looked out at the trees. What the hell was wrong with him? He'd never in his life admired another man the way he just had his friend. But it isn't the first time with Noah… And Noah wasn't just another man… When it came to Noah, things were always more .

It wasn't as though it happened all the time , but there had definitely been moments in the past couple weeks. It freaked him the hell out. The only way he could describe it was…damn, he couldn't really, but maybe it was because things with Noah had always been on another level. Even their friendship when they were kids.

Coop drained the rest of his beer before grabbing another.

"What's wrong with you?" Noah asked.

His first instinct was to ask him how he knew , but that suddenly confused him as well. Noah had always known him so much better than anyone else. He noticed things about Cooper that no one else did. "Nothing," he gritted out, before realizing he was being an ass. The last thing he wanted to do was draw attention to his fucked-up behavior. "It's a gorgeous night and I'm holding a beer, after building a deck today. What could be wrong? The only thing that would make it better, is a woman to celebrate with."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Noah nod. Before either of them had the chance to speak again, Coop's cell beeped in his pocket. Leaning back, he pulled the thing out and then groaned at the name that flashed on the screen.

"Your uncle?"

"Yeah. Which really isn't a big deal. I don't know why I acted like that. He did raise me after all."

Cooper hit talk on the phone and then said, "Hello."

"If it isn't my nephew who likes to pretend he's too busy for his family. You're breaking your aunt's heart, Cooper."

He winced. When things started out like this, it was never a good sign. It wasn't that Vernon was a bad man. He supported his family, didn't drink or do drugs. The man loved his wife something fierce and would do anything for her—a quality Cooper respected. But he was also tough as nails. He'd been older than Coop's dad by fifteen years , and even though he took Cooper in and treated him as a son, he never let Cooper forget that fact either. That he hadn't wanted kids, they'd been set in their ways, but took Cooper in anyway, because that's what family did. He was hard and he expected the same out of Coop—even to the extent that he said it was weak to dwell on the death of his parents.

"They're gone, kid , and I know it hurts, but you gotta push that aside. There's nothing you can do about it. The sooner you realize that, the better. Toughen up, be a man, and leave it in the past."

That had been the first night Cooper had a nightmare about his parents dying in the fire. He didn't want to leave them behind—hadn't wanted to leave her trapped but his Mom had told him to. Now his uncle was telling him to leave them behind as well.

"I know. I need to get out there and visit you guys. Things have been crazy around here." Which was partially true, and partially a lie. Yes, he'd been busy at the station and around the house, but he definitely had time to do other things.

"We're only half an hour away. You know it's easier for you to get out here than for her to get to you. She loves you like a son, Cooper , and always has. Not comin' round for months is no way a son treats the woman who raised him."

Guilt burned through his gut. Vernon was right. "I'll be out there soon. Promise." And he would. It was an asshole move for him to stay away so long, after all they'd done for him. He didn't even know why he did.

"There ya go. That's what I want to hear."

"So how's everything going?" Coop asked. He looked over at Noah to apologize with his eyes that he had to take a call , and Noah nodded his understanding.

"Good, good. They got a couple new officers at the station. A bunch of Nancy 's according to Jim. Have you met 'em?"

Coop froze at that, hoping like hell Noah didn't hear him through the phone. How many times had Vernon talked like that when Coop was a kid, and he never thought twice about it? He had no doubt the new cops weren't really gay , and he also knew Vernon meant that in the most derogatory way possible.

"Aren't you supposed to be retired? Why are you still worried about what's going on at the station?"

"Once a cop, always a cop. You should feel like that about your job too, if you take it seriously."

That comment hit Coop like a punch to the gut. Being a good fireman was, and always had been, the most important thing to Cooper. There were certain things he owed his aunt and uncle, and he figured being a good fire fighter, was something he owed his parents.

"You know there's nothing more important to me than doing my job well." He didn't add anything more than that , because it would only lead to an argument.

It was only a minute or two later that Vernon ended the call.

"Sounds like he hasn't changed much," Noah said. Coop didn't reply because he didn't need to. They both knew what his friend said was true. It was this odd relationship with all of them. Even as kids, Noah had liked Cooper's uncle too. He'd loved when Vernon took them all camping or fishing, and Noah had stayed at his house any night he could, but then Noah always got pissed when Vernon and Cooper got into it.

"Don't let him make you feel like shit, man. He's always done that. You're good at what you do and there's never been anything wrong with the way you grieved your parents ," Noah added.

Smoke. That's all he could see was smoke all around him. And it was so hot. So, so hot it felt like his skin was melting off him.

"Go! You need to go, Cooper."

"No!" He shook his head. "Not without you."

Mom was on the floor, a beam holding her down. Fire was all around him, smoke so thick it was difficult to see her clearly. There was a pop, and a hiss from behind her, so loud that Cooper heard it over everything else around them.

"Baby… go. I need you to go. Run as fast as you can. Do what I say, Cooper, now!"

Another pop. A wall on the other side of the room crashed down.

"Go! Now, Cooper. Get out of here , right now!"

And he did. Cooper ran, screaming and crying the whole way.

Something grabbed a hold of his arm.

"Coop! Wake up. You're dreaming."

Cooper jerked out of sleep at the sound of Noah's voice. Nausea crawled up his throat. He couldn't believe he had the dream in front of Noah. It was their very first sleepover, and now he'd think Coop was a baby.

"You were screaming," Noah said, as the bedroom door opened and the light turned on.

"What in the hell is going on in here?" Uncle Vernon opened the door.

Coop froze. He didn't want to tell his uncle he had the dream again. Didn't want him to say he was being ridiculous, and make Noah think him a baby even more.

"Cooper? Noah?" Vernon asked. "What are you guys doing? We told you it was time to settle down and go to bed."

Still Coop couldn't make his voice work.

"It was me," Noah said.

Coop's eyes flashed toward his friend.

"I couldn't sleep and was playing a trick on Coop. I didn't mean to be so loud." Noah's lie sounded so true, even Coop would have believed him if he didn't know better.

"If you can't listen to my rules, kid, you won't be allowed to stay here."

"Yes, sir." Noah looked toward the ground.

"Now get to bed. You nearly gave us a heart attack." Uncle Vernon turned off the light and closed the door.

It took Coop forever to talk. "Bet you think I'm a wuss now."

"No."

The nausea started to melt away. He should have known Noah wouldn't make him feel stupid. "Thanks…for covering… He doesn't get it."

"Was it about your parents?" Noah asked.

"Yeah."

A pause. "I get it."

And , Coop somehow knew his friend did. Even though he still had his mom and dad, he got it.

"Do you think he won't let me come over no more?" Noah asked.

"No…it's all talk." He believed that. Yeah , Uncle Vernon was tough, but he wouldn't take away Coop's best friend. "If he tried, I wouldn't let 'em."

Noah was quiet for a minute. "I bet I'd have dreams too…if that happened to me."

And for the first time, Coop didn't feel like such a baby because of the nightmares. If Noah said he would have them too, it must be normal to not be able to forget.

"Thanks, Noah." Into the darkness, Coop smiled. He had the coolest best friend in the world. His smile stretched even bigger, when Noah's hand touched his shoulder.

A warm hand came down on Cooper's should er, and snapped him out of the memory. Turning, he took in the sight of his friend, as Noah let his hand fall away. It was like the years had wiped away some of those memories. He'd been devastated when Noah left—when he didn't hear a word from him, but over the years, those feelings faded. He'd been young and lived a whole lot of life since then. But having him back now made those feelings flare to life again. Had he ever had a friend he felt as close with, as he did Noah? Someone he trusted with everything inside him, and who would always be there for him?

He didn't think so. At thirty years old, there had never been anyone who touched him as deeply as Noah.

"Thanks, man." He knew it has probably been at least a minute since Noah had spoken to him , but he didn't call Cooper on it.

Noah stretched, the corded muscles in his arms straining and tightening. His stomach tensed, showing off his six-pack beneath all that golden skin.

Lust shot through Cooper. His balls started to ache.

What. The. Fuck.

Still, he didn't turn away. That had always been how he went about life—full speed ahead. He regretted running away from his parents, even though he'd only be a snot-nosed, nine-year-old kid. He didn't want any other regrets in his life, so he took a second to visually get his fill. To try and make sense of what the hell these thoughts and desires meant.

Noah didn't seem to notice. He ran a hand through his dark hair. Cooper admired the veins in his hands, and the dragon tattoo on his upper back, that he'd seen the first time Noah has been shirtless in front of him. He shifted his eyes to Noah's face. To the curve of his lips, and how he'd made Cooper smile that night, and so many others.

And then he remembered the call with his uncle. How much he would disappoint him if he ever knew Cooper was eying Noah like this. And, why he hell was he? He was straight. He liked women. Always had.

Cooper pushed to his feet. He needed to get himself under control , and find a way to wipe these feelings away. "I think I'm about ready to go in."

"Yeah, me too." Noah stood as well. They left the chairs in the lawn, but Cooper picked up the cooler as Noah grabbed the plates.

After they put things away, they stood in Cooper's kitchen. Silent. It wasn't even dark yet, but still, Coop said, "I think I'm going to head to my room. I'm not feeling too hot." Really, he needed to get his fucking head on straight.

"Yeah…me too. Maybe watch a movie or something."

Cooper nodded and then went to walk away. Noah stopped him, putting an arm around his shoulder. "Don't let it get to ya, man."

Coop's body flamed. The spot where their bodies met, a wildfire burned inside him, flaring out from there.

Nodding again, he pulled away because…Jesus, because …he didn't want to. That meant he needed to back up, and get out of here. Now.

***

A hand shoved beneath Coop's boxer-briefs…but that wasn't right, was it? He always slept naked, and he was in his bed.

Any questions or thoughts were cut off when the hand wrapped tightly around his cock. And he was hard. He was already so fucking hard.

"Oh, God." Cooper dropped his head back, as the hand started to stroke. Quick, strong pulls up and down his dick. Another hand touched his balls, adding the perfect amount of pressure, as it played with them. Those touches somehow traveled the length of his sensitive body. A low buzz of excitement gained strength inside him as the skilled, rough hand jerked him off.

It had only been about five seconds , but it was already the best fucking hand job he'd ever had.

A thumb brushed the tip, spread pre- come around, before stroking him again.

His body jerked as he was flipped to his stomach, a hard weight on his back. A masculine voice in his ear said, "I told you, I didn't like it easy."

Cooper thrashed, scrambling into a sitting position in his bed. The room was pitch black, silent except for his quick, panting breaths. Sweat dripped from him.

He'd dreamed about another man. About Noah. Holy shit.

Cooper ran a hand down his chest but it didn't feel the same as Noah's had. No, not Noah, just a dream. He didn't stop until he reached the erection between his legs, trying to find some of the pleasure he'd just imagined.

He was hard as hell, with a picture of his best friend in h is head. What the fuck was up with him?

His body tensed when he ran his finger over his head, and the hole there. Then he stroked. Stroked the same way he had a million times but different because this time he chased that feeling from the dream.

The dream of Noah.

It didn't matter right now. Cooper needed some fucking relief. He squeezed his hand tighter around his cock, and jerked-off, thinking about another man. Thinking about Noah.