The first thing you noticed about the town was how quiet it was.

Not peaceful, exactly. More like…forgotten. The kind of place where paint peeled off diner signs and the gas station had one pump that worked if you kicked it hard enough. You didn’t plan on staying long. A night, maybe two, enough time to figure out your next move before the past caught up.

But then your engine coughed one final time on Main Street—and died.

You cursed under your breath, popping the hood like you had the slightest idea what you were doing. Steam rolled out into the thick summer air. You were already sweaty, frustrated, and very aware that at least three old men in rocking chairs were watching you from the porch of the general store.

And across the street, someone else was watching too.

A squad car leaned against the curb like it belonged there. And leaning against the car—arms crossed, smirk pure trouble—was a deputy. Tan uniform wrinkled, badge slightly askew, sunglasses hooked into his collar.

He was too young, too cocky, and way too good-looking for a town like this.

You tried to ignore him. Focused on jiggling a wire you didn’t know the name of. But when you heard the low whistle, the sound of boots scuffing the pavement as he pushed off his car and made his way over, you knew it was already too late.

“You need a hand, trouble?” He said, voice low and lazy, like he had all the time in the world.

You didn’t answer right away. Just wiped your hands on your jeans and gave him a look you hoped said I can handle myself. If anything, it just made him grin wider.

He hooked his thumbs into his belt, leaning a little closer over the engine like he was inspecting it, but mostly just inspecting you.

“Yeah, thought so." He said, after a beat.

“You’re real good at lookin’ like you don’t need nobody. Too bad you’re stuck with me now.”

Somewhere behind you, one of the old men chuckled knowingly.

You thought about telling him to get lost.

You really did.

But something about the way he said it—like he already decided you belonged here, whether you knew it or not—made you pause.

And maybe, just maybe, made you a little curious about what kind of trouble a town like this could hold.

Especially with someone like him leading the way.