Page 11 of Cooper & Jake
“Twelve-ish years? I took two years off after high school to focus on some things, and then I finally went back to college while working as a vet tech. What about you?”
“I own a bar in the small town I live in. Actually, I co-own it with Peyton.”
“Where are you living now?” His eyes flick up and down my body, and I puff out my chest a little more, wanting to show off for him.
“I live in Cedar Creek. It’s a small country town in Texas. Full of ranches. Think of the smallest town with no stoplights, just a stop sign, dirt roads leading to all the houses, and ranches lining all the streets. That’s where I live.”
“Do you like it?”
“I love it. I left for four years for college, but right after I graduated, I went back. It’s smaller than it is here, but it’s not as gossipy—if that’s a word. It’s more of a family. Where are you living now?”
“Connecticut. It’s okay there. But it was one of the first places I landed on, so I just kinda stuck it out. This is weird, isn’t it?”
“What? Why? What’s weird?” I ask, flabbergasted. I didn’t think anything weird was happening between us.
“Us, talking like nothing happened.”
“Cooper, it’s been twenty years. We were kids the last time we saw one another. We’ve both lived a ton of life since then. Am I making you uncomfortable?”
“God no,” he breathes, his body swaying closer to mine. “Um. Do you remember our last night together?”
“Of course. How could I forget? We spent the night at Yellow Branch Falls.”
“You remember the metal water bottle we stashed away?”
“Oh, holy fuck, I do.” My jaw drops, having completely forgotten about that. “Do you think it’s still there?”
“Wanna go see?”
“In the dark?”
“We can bring some flashlights.”
“Okay, let’s go,” I tell him, tossing some cash down on the bar.
6
COOPER
“You’re going where?”Taylor asks after I pull her to the side to tell her I’m leaving with Jake. “Cooper, it’s fucking late and dark as hell out. You are not going up to Yellow Branch Falls.”
“I’ll bring a flashlight.” Her eyes widen, and I quickly rush out, “Fine, I’ll bring two.”
“Cooper,” she hisses. “When I brought you here, I didn’t think you were going to go sneaking off into the dark with the man. Oh my god, what if he kidnaps you or chops up your body and leaves you in the forest?”
“Jesus, Taylor,” I huff. “He’s not going to kill me in the woods.”
“You guys barely talked for like three minutes. I was watching Coop. You said like five words to the man before bouncing over here, telling me you’re leaving with him. And not just leaving with him, but going to the secluded woods.”
“You’re being dramatic. I’ll share my location with you. Would that help?”
“You’re already sharing your location with me, you ass. Here, take this.” She opens the small black bag that’s wrapped aroundher waist, pulling out her plethora of keychains. She shifts a few before undoing one of the metal pieces.
“Taylor, I don’t need pepper spray.”
“Humor me. I might have planned for us to come here, but it’ll make me feel a little bit more at ease.”
“Fine. Give me the damn pepper spray.” I put my hand out, quickly shoving it into my pocket when she places it in my palm.
