Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
LOXLEY
By noon, I was feeling fresh from a long shower, on my sixth cup of coffee, and shamelessly curled up in yet another one of Miles' oversized T-shirts.
Miles had left to run errands, saying something about needing supplies to help him "aid and abet," which I knew was about his invitation to let me hide at his place. I figured it was probably just grocery shopping and had offered to pay, but he shook it off, explaining how the store would get suspicious if he paid with a credit card that didn’t have his name on it. I doubted it, because no one ever even checked the cards, but I didn’t argue.
Based on the grandeur of his house, I assumed the Harmony Haven police department had him on a high paying tier or something.
The place was a large three bedroom, four bathroom home, with vaulted ceilings and so many high-tech appliances that I half expected the fridge to start asking me how my day went.
Before he left, Miles pressed a button on a remote control and curtains opened, showing off floor to ceiling windows that ran the length of the wall. There was a breathtaking view of the North Georgia hills that I hadn’t seen when we drove up after dark the night before.
That was where I had been, curled up on the couch, nibbling on a granola bar as I stared out at the scenery. That, mixed with the silence, and the lyrics were forming in my head.
Just a girl and a heart full of runaway dreams.
Then you pulled up like an answer to a prayer and smiled at me.
I was about to pull out my phone and turn it on to jot them down when I heard the back door open in the kitchen.
Springing to my feet, I tiptoed towards the kitchen, my bare feet barely making a sound on the hardwood floor.
Of course, the moment I put a little weight on the floorboard closest to the doorway, the creaky wood gave me away.
Miles stood in the doorway, bags of groceries in both hands, his eyebrow quirking in amusement as he watched me enter the room.
“Hey,” Miles smiled, nodding at the new shirt I was wearing. “I see you found the closet.”
“You said to help myself,” I shrugged, giggling at the pink Loxley Adams Tour t-shirt I chose. “This one stood out in your sea of greys, blacks, and blues.”
“Well you can’t have that one, it’s mine.”
“I’d never think of stealing from a fan,” I winked. “What did you get?”
He was setting bags on the table we had sat at for coffee earlier, the sound of plastic crinkling as he began unpacking them.
“More coffee,” he grinned, holding up the basic can of Folgers ground medium roast like it was some sort of treasure.
“Ahhh, my favorite!”
“I was able to assume that much,” he laughed, then pulled something else out. “Also, I got you a pad and some pens. I had some here, but these looked cool, and I thought it may inspire you. I’m sure you like to do things digitally, but this…”
My jaw dropped. It wasn’t the pens themselves, or even the pad, but the sheer thoughtfulness of it. The glistening in my eyes must’ve caught the sunlight because it felt like the room got a little brighter. “Miles.”
“You don’t have to use it, Lox. I was just thinking…”
It had been less than 24 hours since I’d met Miles Brooks, and already he had done the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for me.
The unexpected kindness hit me harder than I anticipated, an emotional wave crashing over me.
I couldn’t seem to find my words, so instead, I closed the distance between us and wrapped my arms around his neck.
He froze at first, clearly surprised. But then, slowly, his arms slid around my waist, holding me gently, like he was trying to make sure he wasn’t overstepping.
“You okay?” he asked, his voice soft and full of concern.
I nodded into his neck, my breath catching just a little. The warmth of his body and the steady rhythm of his breathing had a calming effect, grounding me in a way I hadn’t expected.
We stayed like that for a minute, oddly comfortable for two people who were essentially strangers.
But honestly, it felt like I’d known Miles for far longer than the less-than-24 hours we’d spent together.
He didn’t know it, but his kind smile had been the only thing that kept me going since the last time I was in Harmony Haven.
“I got you something else,” he finally said, pulling back, letting me wipe my eyes with the back of my hand.
He reached into another bag and pulled out a sweater with matching shorts.
Not just one set, but three: pink, white, and baby blue.
"As much as I don’t mind you in my shirts, and make no mistake about it, that shirt you’re wearing is mine, I thought you may need some clothes. "
“Oh my God,” I sighed, grabbing the outfit with the sizing sticker on the front and a flimsy plastic hanger. “These are so cute.”
“They’re not fancy,” he warned, probably thinking I might turn my nose up at clothes from a big-box store.
“They’re perfect,” I marveled, my voice thick with emotion.
It wasn’t even about the clothes, though they were adorable.
It was the fact that he thought of me, something I hadn’t really experienced before.
Sam had been the only one to ever give me anything, but it was always out of obligation or necessity.
“I got a few more things,” he said, holding up one finger as if to pause for dramatic effect. Then, a sheepish look crossed his face, and he added, “I’ve never had a woman in my house, so I wasn’t sure if you’d need these.”
He pulled out a box of tampons and a box of maxi pads, holding them in his hands like they might explode. I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. What in the world made him think to buy feminine products? It was so personal, yet I couldn’t fault him for it.
“You went all out,” I clapped my hands together in mock awe, trying to ease his awkwardness. I pushed onto my tiptoes and tugged his arm, hoping he'd lean down just enough for me to press a quick kiss on his cheek. “This is all so sweet.”
“We can order some more things and have them delivered,” he said, clearly trying to smooth over the situation.
“But I didn’t think you’d want to be out and about.
And I knew you needed some necessities. This town may be small but usually gets out here quickly, so order anything you need from my account so they don’t see your name on the delivery. ”
“I’ll be sure to get some things ordered and reimburse you for everything I spend,” I assured him, my heart feeling full. “I don’t want you having to take care of me like a baby, or a burden.”
“I don’t mind,” he replied, his face pinkening a bit as he shrugged. “I’m not a good cook, but I called my grams and told her I wanted to try my hand at her famous pork chops. I Googled it first, and there was nothing on there about you being a vegetarian, so I hope that’s okay.”
“I love pork chops!” I grinned.
“Good,” he nodded, with a hint of shyness that caught me off guard. It was a sharp contrast to the imposing cop who’d pulled me over the day before. “I want you to make yourself at home. Seriously, other than the cabinet I lock my gun in, you’re welcome anywhere. Eat anything. Do whatever. Just…”
He trailed off, and his eyes dropped to my arms, which were crossed tightly over my chest. A pang of discomfort settled in my gut at the intensity he had just reverted to.
Before I could shift away, his hand reached for mine. His grip was firm but gentle, pulling my wrist toward him with urgency. When he turned it over, his eyes darkened and I knew exactly what had grabbed his attention.
“Oh,” I started to say as I realized the bruises on my wrists, that Sam left, were worse than before. I swallowed hard, feeling a rush of shame in my chest. I had no explanation to give to Miles except for the truth, but I didn’t want to talk about it.
Miles’ eyes met mine, hard and unwavering, before flicking back down to my wrist. His gaze tightened, his jaw clenching as if something in him shifted. Without a word, he grabbed my other hand, making my heart skip a beat. For a split second, I saw a flash of something dangerous in his eyes.
“What happened here?” His voice was no longer hesitant, or soft. It was cold, commanding, and familiar, like the officer I’d met on the side of the road. “Who did this?”
“I…” My throat closed up and my mouth was dry. I wanted to say none of your business, but the words didn’t come.
“It was Sam Moreno, wasn’t it?” He snapped the words out like they were a fact he already knew.
“How did you know that?”
“I don’t know how I knew that,” he gritted out, with his fists clenched at his sides. “Call it my investigative instinct.”
“He’s an asshole.” I tried to wave it off, like it was no big deal. “This is as bad as it ever was.”
“This is bad enough!” His voice was fierce and he started pacing in a tight circle, trying to get his emotions back under control.
I wanted to tell him to calm down. He barely knew me, and it wasn’t his job to worry about me.
But something told me that wouldn’t go over well with him.
He was a cop. He had it ingrained in him to react like this.
It was just his instinct, his drive to protect anyone who’d been wronged.
So, I stayed silent, watching the way his frustration filled the space between us.
After what felt like an eternity, he stopped. His chest was rising and falling, and when he turned back to me, his expression had shifted to a steady resolve. “Well, you’re safe here, Lox. I promise.”
“I know,” I said with a smile, “It feels safe here. But…this isn’t the only reason I ran. I really am tired.”
“I know.”
There were a few more seconds of silence before he took a deep breath and walked toward the living room. “I’m gonna get a workout in, then take a shower. Be ready for the best pork chops you’ve ever had at, let's say, around seven?”
“Can’t wait,” I whispered as he quickly left.