“You didn’t used to complain so much either.” Cooper laughed and shook his head. “So how are ya? Where you been all these years?”

Noah grunted in reply, and Coop felt like an ass for asking. He knew what it had been like for Noah. How many schools he’d been to and cities he’d lived in before coming to Blackcreek. Noah used to tell him that he’d do anything to stay here. Anytime they got in trouble for causing hell in town, Noah always worried it would make things bad between his parents again, and make him have to leave. Not that they’d done anything too bad.

He also knew that on Friday his friend had been there, and by Sunday, when Cooper got home from a trip with his aunt, Noah had been gone.  There’s no way he could have known he was leaving, if Coop hadn’t. They’d sworn to leave together if it ever came to that. Not that he didn’t know that those were silly promises kids made—but Cooper knew Noah would have rather done anything, than move from Blackcreek.

They were quiet for the thirty-minute drive to the hospital. Cooper sat in the waiting room with his feet up on another chair, while Noah went back to see the ER doctor. He tried to ignore the unease in his stomach. He didn’t see how any real damage could be done but you never knew with stuff like that.

“Cooper Bradshaw. What did I do to deserve a visit from you today?” A woman sat beside him. Coop looked over and smiled at Adrianna. She was an ER nurse who he’d gone out with a few times.  He took in her pouty lips. Her red hair, and full breasts.

She was a woman he suddenly wanted to go out with again, very soon. They had a good deal between them.  She was a busy with the hospital, had a five-year-old kid and not a lot of time. He wasn’t looking for anything serious. It wasn’t that Cooper was anti-relationship or anything, he just wasn’t sure they were for him. More power to anyone who wanted to settle down, but he enjoyed his lifestyle too much to change it. Adrianna was okay with no strings. They got together when her daughter was with her dad, or when one of them was looking for a good time. No strings, no attachment, no emotions. Just sex.

“I was thinking the same thing about you.” Coop gave her a smile. The slow, easy one that women seemed to like.

“You’re such a flirt.”

Cooper winked at her. “You like it.”

The doors to the emergency room slid open. “Mr. Bradshaw?” One of the nurses asked. “You’re here with Mr. Jameson?”

Cooper pushed to his feet. A shuffle of footsteps sounded from behind him. “Yeah? Is everything okay?” he asked.

Cooper’s palms were all sweaty and his heart slammed. Hell, he’d been out here flirting with a woman, after maiming his friend. That pretty much tossed him into asshole territory.

“He’s fine. His ribs are bruised. We have him wrapped and gave him some pain medicine. He’s a little loopy in here. He warned us he gets like that with pain medicine. Are you going to take him home? He can’t drive.”

He nodded his head. Cooper had no clue if Noah had somewhere to stay, but he’d make sure he got him where he needed to be. “Sure. What do I need to know?”

The nurse finished giving him information, and then said she’d be right back with Noah. “Looks like you have plans. I was just getting off work, too.” This time, it was Adrianna who winked at him. Cooper cursed. He definitely could use a few hours with her.

Or a night.

“Sorry. I’m the one who hit him so I feel a little obligated to make sure he’s okay. Are you busy tomorrow?” But then, that wasn’t all it was either. He’d want to catch up with Noah no matter if he’d hit him, or not.

“Work.”

“Day after?”

“Date.”

Cooper didn’t flinch. They weren’t committed and they both knew she wouldn’t stay single forever, and he wouldn’t want to settle down. “Call me if it doesn’t work out.”

“I’m fine. I can walk! See?” Noah’s voice came from behind him.

He looked back to see Noah walking with his arms out like he was trying to prove he could walk a straight line. Coop laughed. “Jesus. You still can’t handle yourself?” he teased. At twelve they’d stolen a few beers from Cooper’s uncle. Halfway through one of them, Noah was toasted. Looked like pain pills affected him the same way. Smiling, he shook his head.

“Not you, too.” He had a big, goofy smile on his face.

“I’ll see you later,” Adrianna told him.

Coop told her goodbye, and grabbed Noah’s arm. He was surprised Noah let him help him to the truck.