Page 1 of September’s Bad Boy: Cooper (Bad Boys of Mustang Mountain #9)

COOPER

The last time I drove down Main Street, I was in handcuffs.

Now, I’m gripping the steering wheel so tight my knuckles are white, but at least I’m the one behind the wheel. The old Chevy pickup rattles with every bump, like it’s not sure it wants to carry me back into Mustang Mountain. I know the feeling. With every inch closer, the knot in my gut tightens.

My reflection stares back at me from the rearview mirror. The beard’s new. So are the lines around my eyes. I’m not the man I used to be. At forty- two, I feel every one of those years—and then some. Prison has aged me in ways no mirror can show.

Nelson Mercantile comes into view, with the same crooked sign swinging over the door.

Ruby has had that sign for decades and claims it’s good luck.

I’m not sure luck has anything to do with Mustang Mountain these days.

Most of the guys I used to run with have either gotten married off by Ruby or fled for bigger towns.

Those of us who stayed? We’ve got scars that run a lot deeper than the town gossip mill knows.

I park across from the Merc and kill the engine.

For a moment, I just sit there. My reflection stares back at me from the rearview mirror.

The beard’s new. So are the lines around my eyes.

I’m not the man I used to be. Hell, I’m not sure what man I am now.

But I’ve got a plan thanks to Ruby. A gym and a fresh start.

Ruby has had my back this whole time, and now I just need the town to give me a shot.

The bell above the Merc’s door jingles as I step inside. It’s as if time stood still in here. Same wooden floors. Same shelves stocked with homemade jams and pickles. Best of all, the same Ruby Nelson, standing behind the counter like the queen of this tiny kingdom.

“Well, look what the mountain dragged back.” Ruby’s smile is as sharp as ever. “Cooper Montgomery, in the flesh.”

“Ruby.” I nod, keeping my tone neutral. But she sees through me, like she always has.

She sets down the jar of huckleberry preserves she’s labeling and wipes her hands on her apron. “I was wondering when you’d find your way back home.”

“Didn’t figure you’d be surprised.”

“I’m never surprised, honey. But I am curious. You here to stay this time?”

“That depends on how the plans for this gym go.” I step up to the counter, leaning in slightly.

“And I don’t mean one of those fancy, corporate chains.

A place for the kids in town. Somewhere they can hit a bag instead of getting in trouble.

Thought it might be time Mustang Mountain had a place like that. ”

Ruby tilts her head, eyes narrowing as though she can peer straight into my soul. “You’ve been thinking about this for a while.”

“Since the day I got locked up.”

Her expression softens, but she doesn’t let me off the hook. “And how do you plan on making this happen, Cooper? You’ve been gone a long time. This town’s changed.”

“I’ve changed too.”

“I know you have.” She reaches under the counter and pulls out a manila envelope. “This might help.”

I raise an eyebrow. “What’s this?”

“A friend of mine is investing in Mustang Mountain. I told them about you, and they're willing to anonymously invest in your gym. They want to help. Of course, you will still need townspeople on your side. You’ll need allies.”

I open the envelope and skim through the forms. Bureaucracy isn’t my strong suit, but I’ll do whatever it takes. It’s a contract for an investor. Lots of forms to read over. “Thanks, Ruby.”

She leans forward, voice dropping. “And Cooper? If you need a little extra to get started, come see me. Orville and I have been thinking about investing in something worthwhile. And you, son, are worth the gamble.”

I’m not sure what to say. Ruby’s never been one to offer help lightly. She’s got plans, but then she always does.

The bell jingles again as the door swings open. Laughter floats through the air, light and easy. It punches me in the chest.

Riley.

She’s standing there, chatting with another girl, like she owns the place.

Her dark hair is pulled up in a messy bun, with tendrils falling loose around her face.

She’s wearing a simple sundress, and her smile.

.. God, that smile hasn’t changed a bit.

Except now it’s aimed at Ruby as she says hi, and I’m standing here, knocked flat by it.

I shouldn’t be staring. I know it. But I can’t look away. It’s been years, but seeing her feels like getting hit by a freight train. She looks different, softer around the edges, but also stronger somehow. Like life hasn’t been easy, but she’s still standing tall.

Ruby’s eyes dart between us, a knowing gleam lighting up her expression. She’s about to stir the pot. I can feel it.

“Well, if it isn’t Riley Sanders. Just in time.” Ruby gestures toward me with a grin. “Look who’s back in town.”

Riley’s gaze follows Ruby’s hand until her eyes land on me.

For a heartbeat, the air’s too thick to breathe.

Her smile falters, and for a moment, we’re frozen in place, caught somewhere between the past and the present.

The girl Riley walked in with looks between us, says something to Riley I can’t hear, then heads back out the door.

“Cooper.” Her voice is a whisper, but it’s enough to wreck me. I haven’t heard her say my name in years.

“Hey, Riles.” My tone’s gruff, but it’s all I can manage.

She steps forward, and the movement’s slow, deliberate, as if she’s bracing herself. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Didn’t expect to be here.”

Her lips curve, not quite a smile, but not cold either. “You always did like surprises.”

The tension is palpable, but Ruby’s already halfway back to the stockroom, pretending to give us space, though we both know she’s eavesdropping.

“You look...” I trail off, searching for the right words. Beautiful doesn’t even scratch the surface.

“So do you.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, eyes flicking away for a moment before landing on me again. “Different. But the same.”

I chuckle softly, though it’s bitter. “Prison’ll do that to a man.”

Her face falls, and I immediately regret saying it. Riley’s never been the type to flinch, but I see the way her fingers tighten around the tote bag hanging off her shoulder.

I clear my throat. “I’m working on something. A gym for the town. Thought it might be time to build something instead of breaking it.”

Her eyes search mine, and I wonder if she sees how much I mean it.

“That sounds... good,” she says finally. “The town could use it.”

We stand there for another moment, both unsure how to bridge the years that’ve stretched between us. The silence is suffocating.

Then, as if fate has got a twisted sense of humor, she drops her tote bag. Contents spill across the wooden floor: her lunch, a bag of coffee, a notebook. She bends to grab them, but I’m already there.

Our hands brush as we both reach for the coffee bag. The contact is electric, and we both freeze. Her fingers are soft against mine, but there’s a tremble I feel clear to my core.

I lift my head, and she’s already looking at me. Her cheeks flush, and damn if it doesn’t make my heart stutter.

“Sorry,” she murmurs, trying to pull back, but I don’t let go. Our eyes lock, and I instantly know what is coming.

“I never got to thank you,” she whispers.

“You don’t have to thank me, Riley.”

Her lips part, but the words never come. Instead, she closes the space between us, her mouth finding mine.

It’s not planned. It’s not careful. It’s raw and messy and full of years we can’t get back. Her lips are soft but demanding, and before I can even think to process what’s happening, she’s pulling away, leaving me breathless.

“I’ve dreamed of that since the day you left,” she whispers, her breath uneven, eyes wide in disbelief at her boldness.

Before I can respond, she’s grabbing her bag off the floor and walking away, fast, like if she doesn’t put space between us, she’ll do something we’ll both regret.

I stand there, watching her go, my hand lifting to touch my lips. They’re still tingling from her kiss.

Ruby reappears, leaning against the counter with a smug look on her face. “Well, well. Guess some things don’t change.”

“Ruby.” My tone is a warning, but she just smiles wider.

“I like her for you, Cooper. Always have.”

I shake my head, grabbing the envelope she left me with. “This isn’t a game.”

“Never said it was. But maybe it’s time you stop punishing yourself and start living.”

I don’t respond. I can’t. Not with my pulse still hammering from that kiss.

As I push the Merc’s door open and step back into the bright afternoon sun, the weight of Mustang Mountain presses down on me. But this time, it’s not just the past dragging me under.

It’s hope. And that’s a hell of a lot scarier.