Page 11 of September’s Bad Boy: Cooper (Bad Boys of Mustang Mountain #9)

RILEY

The sun is already climbing high over Mustang Mountain when I step outside the gym with a tray of lemonade and cookies and set them on one of the tables.

The fresh paint gleams in the light, and the new sign above the door catches the golden glow.

Cooper worked late last night, double-checking the details.

I watched him move around this space as if it were sacred, and every screw and bolt mattered more than the next.

The scent of lemon cookies mixes with the sharp tang of fresh paint, curling into the warm morning air. A light breeze nudges the new sign and makes it creak softly above the entrance, a reminder that this place is real now.

Inside, kids laugh as they bounce on the mats, testing the spring.

The punching bags thud rhythmically as a couple of teens try them out.

I stack handouts about self-defense classes near the front door and adjust a vase of flowers someone dropped off earlier.

The gym is buzzing, not with chaos, but with hope.

Now the doors are open, the mats are clean, and the weights are stacked. People are coming, some curious to see what he has done with the place, others coming to see him.

Ruby arrives first with Orville, her hand tucked into the crook of his arm. They pause, Orville turning to me.

“I saw the grant proposal you helped put together,” Orville says. “You’ve got a gift, Riley. We wouldn’t have gotten the renovation funds for the town library without you.”

Before I can reply, they are pulled away. Caitlin and Shane aren’t far behind them, her arm looped around his waist, their smiles easy and warm. Kinley and Miles pull in with their truck, Kinley beaming and waving from the passenger side. I wave back, heart full.

This town, this family Cooper built around himself again after everything— they’re all here.

And he deserves every second of it.

I find him near the front desk, fussing over a clipboard even though everything's already perfect. He looks up when I approach, that boyish half-smile pulling at his mouth.

"You ready?" I ask.

He blows out a breath and glances at the growing crowd. "I think so."

He steps onto the small platform we set by the front of the gym, tapping the mic that Huck borrowed from the town hall.

People quiet.

Cooper clears his throat, scanning the faces before him.

"I don’t do speeches," he starts, gruff and dry. Laughter bubbles through the room.

"But I do believe in second chances. This gym is proof of that. Not just for me, but for every kid who walks through these doors thinking they’re only ever going to be who they were yesterday.

This place is for moving forward. For learning how to fight, not just with your fists, but with your heart. "

Then he glances toward me, and I swear the entire room disappears.

"I wouldn’t be standing here without the people in this town. Without the woman who reminded me I wasn’t beyond saving. Who looked at me and saw more than my mistakes."

My breath catches.

He holds my gaze as he says, "This gym is a new start. For all of us. And I’m damn grateful for it."

Applause rises around us, loud and genuine.

Ruby dabs at her eyes with a tissue, her mouth trembling with a smile.

Huck lets out a loud cheer and claps so hard it echoes off the walls.

Kinley leans in to whisper something to Miles, her hand over her heart.

He nods, grinning, pride clear on his face.

A few townsfolk exchange glances and nods, like something long held in tension has finally settled.

He steps down but doesn’t head back to the clipboard. He comes straight to me.

As he walks toward me, everything else—the noise, the crowd, the celebration—melts into a hush.

My heart is pounding so loud it drowns out the applause.

And all I can think is how terrified I used to be to let someone this close again.

But Cooper didn’t just knock the walls down.

He walked through them with quiet hands and steady eyes and reminded me what it feels like to hope. To love.

"You meant every word of that?" I ask.

"Every one," he says.

"Good. Because I love you. And I want everyone to know."

His eyes darken with emotion. "I love you too."

He cups my face in his hands and kisses me in front of everyone. No hesitation, no fear, just us.

When he pulls back, his voice lowers just for me. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Riley. Whenever you’re ready."

My heart races, and I lean my forehead against his. "I’m already halfway there."

Jason pauses next to us, trading a quick fist bump with Cullen. "You back on shift soon?"

"Couple more hours," Cullen replies. "But with this weather, I’ve got a bad feeling."

Cullen’s words hang in the air, as Jason turns to us with his hands shoved awkwardly into his pockets.

"You know," Jason says, glancing around the gym, "it finally smells better in here than your truck."

Cooper snorts. "High praise."

Jason's expression softens. "I’m proud of you. For this. For everything."

Cooper’s eyes shine for a second before he claps Jason on the shoulder. "Thanks, son. That means everything."

Jason nods and steps back into the crowd, a quiet smile tugging at his lips.

The celebration continues. Kids try the punching bags. Parents tour the rooms. Ruby jokes with Huck about hosting self-defense classes for women. Music plays from a portable speaker. It feels easy and joyful. We earned it.

Then Cullen’s radio crackles from near the refreshment table. He lifts it quickly, listens, and his face tightens.

He turns toward the crowd, raising his voice. "Everyone, listen up. That was a report from one of Shane’s ranch hands. There’s a fire—Kinley and Miles’s new house is engulfed. Shane’s property is dangerously close."

Gasps ripple through the room. Cooper’s entire body goes rigid beside me.

He turns to me, his jaw tight. "Want to bet the developer is behind this? I can't prove it, but my gut is saying so."

I nod, "Mine too."

The gym goes still. Shane is already on his phone, barking instructions. Caitlin grabs his arm, grounding him.

Cullen continues, "Anyone who can help, let’s move. Fire crews are en route. Let’s clear a path and assist where needed."

People spring into action. Ruby gathers a group to organize water and aid. Huck and Ty follow Shane out the door.

I look at Cooper. "Go. I’ll close up and then help however I can from here."

Cooper grabs my hand and pulls me a few steps away from the others. His voice is low, urgent.

"Stay back from the fire, okay? Promise me. Let the professionals handle it. Cullen’s leading the response. If anyone can get it under control, it’s him."

I nod, swallowing hard. "Only if you promise me the same."

He gives a tight smile, then leans in and kisses me like it might be the last time. "I promise. I love you."

"I love you too," I whisper.

He nods, grabs his keys, and rushes to his truck.

Red and white lights flash down Main Street as the engines roar past, headed straight for the mountainside.

I stand frozen for a heartbeat, watching Cooper disappear into the smoke-filled horizon.

This fight—the real one—is still coming.

And we’re not backing down.

Not this time.