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bjwmastermind-writes · 2 days ago

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ch.1 - fences and cities- dbf! joel miller x oc! miriam

Chapter One of "Fences and Cities" dbf! joel miller x oc! miriam

To check out the series and what it's about click here!

This story follows Miriam, but you can easily step into her shoes.

mentions: age gap (24-47), dad best friend, joel miller is a warning on its own!

Minors stay out or read at your own risk! I'm not responsible for your consumption!

divider by @cafekitsune

Montana

The old, familiar smell of Montana—pine trees and fresh air—mingles with the dust of the small airport parking lot. Her suitcase, heavy and unwieldy, pulls at her shoulder as she trudges toward the terminal doors. Her stomach growls loudly, betraying her irritation. Where is he? Miriam glances at her phone, but there are no texts.

Rolling her eyes, she mutters under her breath, “Where the hell is he?” Her voice is tight, a mix of frustration from travel, hunger, and something deeper—an unease about what’s ahead. Montana was never a bad place, but leaving New York had been… complicated.

"Miriam!," a voice calls, and she lifts her gaze to see him stepping out of the truck.

The sound of a truck engine rumbles in the distance, and her eyes snap to it. Relief floods her for a moment, but it quickly sharpens into something else as the truck pulls to a stop in front of her. He’s finally here. But, of course, he doesn’t seem rushed. He flashes her a half-smile, like he’s entirely unbothered, and she feels the urge to roll her eyes again.

"Sorry," he calls from the truck, his voice still casual. "Got caught up with some things around here." He leans back against the side of the truck, looking at her in that way that suddenly makes her feel a little off-kilter. It’s Joel, for crying out loud—her dad’s friend, someone she’s known for years. But there’s something about him now, something different.

"It’s okay, just don’t do that again, okay? I waited so long," she says, her voice carrying a hint of frustration, but with a playful undertone.

He grins, leaning against the truck. "Oh, please, it was only a few minutes, Miss New York. Have you forgotten what it’s like here?" His tone is teasing, but there’s a soft warmth to it that catches her off guard.

His smile is the same, his voice the same, yet there's an intensity in his eyes she’s never noticed before. A teasing glint, sure, but also something more—a quiet pull that makes her stomach flip. She never saw him like this before.

As he drives, Miriam can’t help but steal glances at him from the corner of her eye. She’s always known Joel—her dad’s friend, the guy who always had a joke ready or was fixing something around the house. But something’s different today. She notices the way the light hits his profile as he concentrates on the road, the way his jaw tightens when he makes a turn, the easy confidence in the way he moves.

“So, how’s New York treating you lately?” he asks, his gaze flicking to her briefly before returning to the road.

“It’s been good. Work has been killing me, for sure, but there’s something about it I like as well,” she says, leaning back against the seat. “The people I’ve met so far are nice—we go out often. The city is lovely, very loud, but it doesn’t take away from its charm.”

Joel huffs a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “New York is lovely? Never heard anyone say that before.”

Miriam rolls her eyes but can’t help the smile tugging at her lips. “It is if you know where to look. It has this… energy, you know? Everything is moving all the time, and I kinda like that.”

“Sounds exhausting.”

“Sometimes,” she admits, glancing out the window. “But it makes you feel alive.”

Joel hums in response, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel. “And yet, here you are. Back in Montana.”

Miriam goes quiet for a moment, exhaling softly. “Yeah, well, I guess one can get a little homesick after all. Plus, I had to be here for my dad.”

Joel chuckles, a low, knowing sound, and glances at her. “Yeah, I get that.” Without thinking, he reaches out, his hand landing on her shoulder in a brief but solid squeeze—comforting, familiar. His touch is warm, steady, and for some reason, it lingers in her mind even after he pulls away.

The truck falls into a quiet lull, only the hum of the tires against the road filling the space between them. It’s not awkward, but it feels… different. Why does it feel different?

Just as she’s about to get lost in her thoughts, her stomach lets out a loud, unmistakable growl.

Joel smirks, side-eyeing her. “Hungry much?”

Miriam groans, covering her face with her hands. “Oh my god, that was so loud.”

“Loud enough to scare off the wildlife,” he teases. “Guess that answers where we’re going next.”

That makes her laugh too, shaking her head. “Shut up.”

He smirks, eyes still crinkled with amusement. “Guess that answers where we’re going next.”

She peeks at him between her fingers. “Let me guess… the diner?”

Joel grins. “Best damn burger and fries in town.”

She sighs dramatically but can’t stop the smile from tugging at her lips. “Fine. But you’re paying.”

Joel chuckles. “Don’t worry, it’s on me”

By the time they reach the diner, her thoughts are tangled. She doesn’t know why she’s suddenly noticing him differently, but it’s all she can think about.

They slide into a booth, the hum of conversation around them. As they both settle into their seats, she clears her throat, unsure how to bring it up.

“So,” she starts, trying to sound casual but unable to keep the edge from her voice, “When did you turn into this?” She gestures vaguely, not sure how to articulate the thought. “It’s like I’m seeing you for the first time or something.”

Joel raises an eyebrow, clearly amused. “What are you talking about?”

Miriam takes a breath, trying to gather her thoughts. “I don’t know, just... you. You're different. I don’t know if I’m just imagining it, but you look different.”

His smile fades a little, but there’s a glimmer of something behind his eyes. “I’m the same, Miriam. Maybe you’re just seeing things.” He looks at her, his voice quieter now. “Maybe you’re different.” He looks back at the menu like he didn’t just shake something loose inside her.

Her pulse quickens at his words. She wasn’t expecting that response. It hangs between them, heavier than the usual banter, and suddenly, she’s not so sure how to navigate this space between them anymore.

The silence stretches out just long enough for it to feel a little too much, and Miriam, ever the quick thinker, decides to break it. She clears her throat, leaning in a little with a playful smile.

“Hey, did I tell you what happened at the airport?” she asks, her voice light but eager to shift the energy.

Joel looks over at her, eyebrows raised, clearly intrigued. “No, what happened?”

Miriam smirks, her eyes lighting up as she launches into the story. “They took my bagel. Like, actually took it.”

Joel laughs, clearly amused, shaking his head. “So that explains why you're starving, huh?”

Miriam nods, her face scrunching with playful frustration. “You have no idea. I was ready to fight for it, but I just didn’t have the energy after the whole ordeal.”

Miriam is mid-sentence when the waiter stops by, setting down their food with a polite nod. She barely notices, too caught up in the story she’s telling, hands gesturing slightly as she speaks.

“So there I am, at JFK, running on zero sleep and way too much airport coffee, and I swear, the TSA guy looks at my bag like it’s personally offended him. He pulls me aside, right? Starts digging through my stuff like I’m smuggling national secrets, and then—” She pauses for dramatic effect, a smirk tugging at her lips. “He pulls out a single, perfectly wrapped bagel. Just one. Like it’s contraband.”

Joel huffs a quiet laugh, watching her. Not just listening—watching. The way she leans in slightly, how her eyes light up when she’s caught in the middle of a story, how she always talks with her hands just a little.

“What did he do?” he asks, voice low but amused.

She grins. “Looks me dead in the eye and says, ‘Ma’am, I’m gonna need you to explain this.’ Like I’m running some underground bagel operation.”

Joel shakes his head, chuckling. “And what did you say?”

“I panicked! I just went, ‘Sir, it’s a bagel. I swear I’m not dangerous.’” She leans back with a laugh, shaking her head. “I think he was just bored, honestly. But for a second, I thought I was gonna end up on a no-fly list over a poppy seed bagel.”

Joel watches her as her laughter lingers, her shoulders still shaking slightly. There’s something different about her—he’s sure of it now. Not just the way she carries herself, but the way she fills the space around her, like she belongs in it. It’s new.

Joel, though—he’s still looking at her. The story’s over, but his gaze lingers, like he’s turning something over in his mind. Finally, he says, “You always talk like that?”

She raises a brow. “Like what?”

His mouth quirks, but there’s something thoughtful in the way he watches her. “Like you belong wherever you are.”

The words catch her off guard. There’s no teasing in his voice, no hint of the usual back-and-forth. Just quiet observation.

Her heart skips, pulse quickening as she forces a smirk. “Montana air,” she says lightly. “Does wonders.”

Joel doesn’t press, just lets out a small hum, but there’s a weight to his silence now. Something that lingers.

Neither of them moves to shake it off.

They finish their meal in silence, the kind of quiet that’s not uncomfortable but feels different—charged, maybe, or just heavier than usual. Miriam keeps her focus on her plate, unsure of what to say or do next.

After a few moments, she stretches her legs out under the table, not thinking much of it, until she accidentally brushes her foot against Joel’s. Neither of them pulls away immediately. The brief contact makes her stomach twist, and she’s suddenly aware of how close they are, how she can feel the warmth of his presence even through the table.

Miriam glances up quickly, her face flushing slightly as she pretends it didn’t happen. “Oops, sorry about that.”

Joel’s lips curl into a small, teasing smile. “Don’t worry about it.” His voice is steady, but his eyes linger on her a moment longer than usual. The tension between them feels different now, thicker, and Miriam feels a shift in the air, one that makes her unsure of how to move forward.

Finally, breaking the silence, Joel shifts in his seat and looks at her with a more casual tone. “Ready to get going?” He gives her a teasing glance. “Let’s get the bill. Your dad must be wondering what took so long.”

Miriam forces a laugh, grateful for the change in pace. “Yeah, he probably thinks we’re getting into trouble or something.” She reaches for her purse, trying to shake off the moment’s weight.

Joel pulls into the driveway, the sound of the gravel crunching under the tires as he stops. He glances at Miriam, his gaze lingering for a moment longer than necessary.

“I’ll let you settle in, spend some time with your dad. Bet he missed you,” Joel says, turning off the engine.

Miriam grabs her suitcase, struggling to pull it out of the trunk, the weight of it catching her off guard.

Joel raises an eyebrow, still seated in the car. “Need some help with that?”

She shakes her head, forcing a smile as she maneuvers the suitcase out of the trunk. “No, that’s okay. I got it.”

As she manages to free it, she turns back to him. “Thanks, Joel. For the drive. And the food. Good actions, all around.”

Joel chuckles, the sound low and warm. “You’re welcome, Miriam.”

She steps out of the car and starts walking toward the front door, her pulse still a little quicker than usual.

Joel stays in the car a moment longer, his gaze lingering on her. He tells himself it’s just for security—making sure she gets inside safely—but somehow, it feels like more than that. He watches her until the front door opens and her dad steps outside, arms outstretched.

“Miriam!” Her dad grins, enveloping her in a hug. “Welcome home!”

Miriam laughs and hugs him back. “I missed you, too, Dad.”

Joel leans back in his seat and clears his throat, a brief, awkward moment hanging between him and the family. “Take care, Miriam,” he calls out with a quick wave, as he shifts the car into gear.

Her dad waves back, calling out to him. “Thanks again, Joel! Really appreciate the help.”

Joel gives a small grin, rolling his eyes playfully. “Don’t mention it,” he says, mimicking Miriam’s earlier tone.

Her dad laughs as he steps back into the house, and Joel pulls away, disappearing down the street.

Miriam watches him leave, feeling a strange mix of emotions she can't quite place before heading inside with her dad.

Welcome to the first chapter of my series Fences and Cities! I’m so excited to share this story with you. I hope you enjoyed the beginning, and I’d love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to like, reblog, and comment—it really helps the story reach more readers. Stay tuned for what’s to come!

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