9. Miles

Chapter 9

Miles

" A h!" I yelped as pain shot through my foot. I'd smacked it hard against the table leg, causing the entire book display to topple over.

The box I was carrying slipped from my hands, and books scattered everywhere in a chaotic mess—hardcover volumes, paperbacks, and even a few delicate old editions spread out across the floor.

I grimaced, feeling a sharp throb in my big toe. Serves me right for wearing open-toe sandals on a stock day.

Did we always have this many tables? This must have been the third one I'd bumped into today.

I glanced around the cluttered bookstore, trying to locate the nearest chair.

Just then, Noah appeared beside me, his brow furrowed with a mix of concern and annoyance.

He took my arm and guided me to the seat behind the counter.

"Take a seat before you bump into anything else today," Noah scolded, his tone half-joking, half-serious. "At this rate, we'll be here all night cleaning up."

I blinked, rubbing my sore toe absentmindedly. Noah let out a resigned sigh as he moved back around the counter to fix the display I had knocked over.

Noah had agreed to help clean up the bookstore and take inventory since we'd been closed since Sawyer's hospitalization.

He carefully picked up the fallen books, arranging them back into a neat stack. His movements were almost automatic—a sign of how many times he'd had to clean up after me today.

Feeling guilty, I tried to stand up and help him gather the scattered books, but he put up a hand to stop me. "Just stay there for now. Please," Noah said.

I sat back down and nodded obediently, watching Noah as he worked.

He moved quickly, gathering the books from the floor and sorting them into their proper categories.

I wanted to protest, to insist on helping despite my clumsiness, but seeing the way I'd been flustered all day—with my mind drifting in the clouds and causing Noah more trouble—I couldn't bring myself to argue.

I'd been more of a hindrance than a help today, and I knew it. So, I stayed put, letting him take charge while I tried to collect my thoughts and get my head back in the game.

After a while, he finally pulled over a stool, the metal legs scraping against the floor with a loud grating noise that jolted me from my daze.

He placed two mugs of hot beverages in front of me. "I didn't know whether you needed caffeine to wake up or some tea to calm your nerves, so I made both. Now spill it," he said.

I opened my mouth, ready to tell him off and insist that nothing was wrong with me, but then I caught sight of his disheveled appearance.

His shirt was rumpled, his hair slightly mussed, and there was a smudge of dust across his cheek.

I looked around the bookstore at the newly stocked shelves and the neatly organized displays—work he had practically done all on his own.

I felt a pang of guilt again. My best friend deserved to know the truth. I hesitated for a moment, gathering my thoughts. I told him about asking Cooper out.

Noah looked excited until I mentioned that Cooper had taken a raincheck because he had to go back to his pack in Winter Valley.

But then I told him about Cooper coming by really early this morning, just back from his trip, just before dawn, leaving a bag of bagels and coffee on the porch.

I wouldn't have seen him if I hadn't needed to wake up early to leave for the bookstore and take inventory.

I told Noah how I couldn't forget the surprised look and the slow smile that spread across Cooper's face when he saw me.

It was the kind of smile that made me feel like he was genuinely happy to see me first thing in the morning—like an unexpected but wonderful surprise.

We didn't talk much because I told him to leave and get some rest since he looked like he'd been driving for hours.

But the thought of Cooper driving all night and the first thing he did was drop by my place made my heart feel light, like I was floating on air.

And then we kissed.

I stopped there, not telling Noah about the feel of Cooper's mouth on mine, the taste of coffee on his lips, the graze of his stubble against my skin—which, by the way, was really working for him—and the way he gripped my waist and nape tightly, as if he had missed me and couldn't stand another second away from me.

I looked at Noah, expecting him to make me spill the details about the kiss. But Noah didn't ask for any more.

His serious expression stopped me from teasing him about it. "So, what now? What are you going to do?" Noah finally asked, his tone gentle but probing.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "I... I don't know what to do about Cooper," I began, my voice shaky. "I mean, he's part of another pack. He's only in town temporarily for Sawyer, but now that Sawyer is practically recovered, other than the physical therapy…"

Noah leaned in, his expression serious. "You don't know when Cooper will leave, and that worries you."

"Yeah," I admitted, feeling the weight of the words as they left my mouth. Every time I saw Cooper, I felt this flutter, this happiness that I couldn't quite explain.

But at the same time, I couldn't seem to ask him how long he was staying.

I was terrified that he'd tell me he's leaving soon. That these were the last few days I'd see him before he left Pecan Pines again.

I knew I was being irrational. I didn't even fully understand why I felt this way.

But the thought of Cooper leaving felt like a crushing weight on my chest.

Losing my dad was one thing, but after everything that happened with Uncle Ben and Sawyer—how close I came to losing them—the fear of another loss was overwhelming.

It wasn't just about another goodbye. The idea that Cooper might leave just as I was starting to feel like we had something real made my chest tighten with a worry I couldn't shake.

Noah nodded. "I get it, Miles. You don't know what to do. But you need to understand something about yourself. You've always been someone who can't make a decision without all the facts and pieces in place. And that's not a bad thing. But sometimes, life doesn't give you all the pieces," Noah said.

I looked down, fidgeting with the edge of my shirt. "I know. It's just... with Cooper, it's different. I want to know everything. I want to plan for everything. But I can't. And it scares me," I admitted.

It wasn't just about the fear of uncertainty; it was the fear of starting something that might end too soon, of opening myself up and finding out it was all temporary.

The idea of investing my heart into something that could disappear felt daunting. Noah reached over and placed a reassuring hand on my arm.

"Miles, not everything has to be planned or perfect. Life is short. Remember what happened with your brother and your uncle? Your brother challenged Ryder because he attacked your uncle. It was risky, it was dangerous, but he did it because it was the right thing to do," Noah said.

I sighed. "You're right. I just... I don't want to get hurt. And I don't want to hurt Cooper either."

"You're not going to hurt him by being honest," Noah said firmly. "If anything, it'll bring you two closer together. Talk to him, Miles. Ask him how long he's staying. Tell him how you feel."

I looked up at Noah, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. He was right.

I needed to talk to Cooper, to be honest about my feelings and my fears. It wouldn't be easy, but it was the only way forward.

"Okay," I said softly. "I'll talk to him."

Noah smiled, giving my arm a gentle squeeze. "Good. And remember, I'm here for you, no matter what happens."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. But then, in typical Noah fashion, he couldn't resist lightening the mood.

"Are you meeting him right after this?" He looked at me with exaggerated disgust, his eyes scanning me up and down.

"What? Is it the sandals?" I asked, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "It's fine, it's summer. He'll understand."

I tried to smooth the creases on my shirt and jeans, but I could feel Noah's eyes on me.

I pursed my lips as I picked off a particularly large dust bunny from the hem of my jeans and flicked it behind me, hoping Noah didn't see. But his raised brow said otherwise.

Why should it matter anyway?

Cooper didn't seem to mind when he saw me this morning in my ratty old T-shirt and sweats. Though I had to admit, they looked like even the Salvation Army wouldn't accept them.

Noah cleared his throat. "You do know that most of the time he's seen you, you were either unwashed or dirty, right?"

I started to retort but then clamped my mouth shut.

The first few days Cooper saw me, I hadn't gone back home, wearing the same clothes when I brought Sawyer to the hospital because I was too scared to leave him and my uncle alone.

Sure, it improved over the next few days when I finally caught a break, but not by much.

The memory of the car wash, with my shirt wet and splattered with dirt, flashed through my mind. I looked down at the shirt I was wearing now.

It wasn't much better since I noticed another small dust ball on my thigh. I didn't even know how that got there, but I vowed never to let the bookstore get this messy for this long again, no matter the reason.

"Fine," I conceded. "I'll tell him to pick me up at home instead."

Noah smirked smugly and hopped off his chair. "Great, that means I can leave early, right?"

"Yeah, yeah," I said in an annoyed voice but couldn't help smiling.

We quickly cleared up the last of the boxes and prepped the store for closing.

After locking up from the outside, Noah nudged me and subtly gestured with his chin.

I followed his gaze and saw Bruce, one of Ryder's men, standing across the street. His presence was enough to set my nerves on edge.

I turned around, ready to confront him. Noah looked at me, concerned. "What are you doing?" Noah asked.

"Handling it," I replied firmly, a note of irritation creeping into my voice.

Noah hesitated, his eyes darting between me and Bruce. "Don't you want to call Sawyer? Or I could call Cooper or my brother…"

"No, I don't want to trouble Sawyer with this. It'll just take a sec." I waved off his concern, though I could tell Noah wasn't entirely convinced.

Sawyer was still recovering, so I didn't want to rely on him.

And as for Cooper, he might leave Pecan Pines at any time. I shouldn't get too dependent on him either.

Noah nodded reluctantly but followed me as I crossed the street toward Bruce. As we approached, Bruce grinned, his smile more of a sneer.

He took a long drag from his cigarette before flicking the glowing stub onto the ground near my foot. Without a second glance, I stomped out the cigarette.

"The bookstore isn't open yet," I said with a smirk, "so if you're here to buy something, you'll have to come back another time. Or you could've just come inside and enjoyed the air-conditioning if you were waiting for me out here."

Bruce's grin widened, revealing his fangs as he chuckled darkly.

"You're funny," he said, giving a dismissive wave before walking away. His laughter echoed behind him as he disappeared into the street.

Noah glanced at me. "What if he comes back?"

"So he comes back," I said with a shrug, trying to sound nonchalant. "Doesn't matter."

I turned and started walking toward my car, the sound of my footsteps mingling with Noah's cautious steps behind me.

I could tell he wanted to say more but he just followed me.

As we reached the car, Noah finally broke the silence. "You sure you don't want me to call Sawyer?"

"I'm sure," I replied, sliding into the driver's seat. "It's under control."

Noah didn't argue further. He settled into the passenger seat, but I could still see the worry in his eyes.

I didn't want them to think they could faze me. They could come back every day for all I cared. I was sick of all this.

I also didn't want to let this ruin my date with Cooper.

Even after talking things through with Noah, I still felt uneasy and that our time together was running out.

But whether we had just a few days or even less, I wanted to make the most of it.

Make the most of it.

I repeated the thought to myself, trying to push away the heavy feeling in my chest at the idea of it possibly ending soon.