Page 77 of Too Hot

Maybe it was time to admit that she’d fallen in love with him. The thought should have surprised her, but it didn’t. Rafe was a special man, and she didn’t want to let him go. She had no idea if he felt the same about her.

In and out of the club, they enjoyed each other, be it a quiet dinner together, cuddling on the sofa and watching a movie, and in the bedroom with or without kink. For once in her life, she felt settled and not like she was looking for something she couldn’t find.

“That’s pretty,” she commented to Penny, who had drawn a butterfly. Brianna turned, and there was a huge bang. She jumped as some of the kids screamed. Fighting to remain calm, to not give in to her own panic, she motioned for the kids to quiet. “Settle down,” she said firmly.

The sound had come from the hallway. Brianna moved to the door of her classroom. She saw smoke. Fire! Again? Her heart pounded, and her palms grew moist. Forcing air into her lungs, she turned back to her students.

“We’re leaving the classroom. There is possible a fire; let’s line up.” She clapped her hands. The kids’ eyes grew wide, but they lined up and held hands. “Everyone, follow Jasper once we get into the hallway.”

“Yes, Miss Brianna.”

Brianna eased the door open to lots of dense smoke, and she could see red haze to her left. This wasn’t like the last time. “Jasper, go to the right and out the back door. Assemble in our spot by the playground. And walk, do not run.”

“Yes, Miss Brianna. This way, everyone.” Jasper’s calm voice helped Brianna.

Was the fire advancing? She couldn’t tell. There was too much smoke. The last of her kids left the classroom, and Brianna followed them out. Her breath came in short pants as she focused on them and told herself over and over not to look back.

Once outside, the kids broke away and ran for their meeting place. “No running,” she yelled, but could she blame them? Twice in as many weeks now, this had happened. Who was doing this?

Other classes were exiting. Brianna focused on her kids. Many were coughing. She caught up with them and started her head count.

There was one missing. Her heart leaped into her throat. She’d counted as they left the classroom. All fifteen had been in line, so who was missing? Brianna counted again and said each child’s name in her head.

“Where’s Andy?”

“He ran back in for his hamster,” Suzie said.

“Jasper, lead everyone over to Miss Ruby.” And to the other children, “Go with Jasper.”

“Yes, Miss Brianna.”

Brianna turned on her heels and ran back to the building. The smoke was thicker now. Her heart threatened to burst from her chest. Oh. My. God. There were flames very near her classroom door. Fighting panic, she raced ahead.

“Andy,” she yelled as she darted into her classroom and slammed the door.

“Miss Brianna,” Andy called. He was curled up in the back corner of the room, coughing.

Moving quickly, she gathered him into her arms.

“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t let my hamster get burned.” His voice was raspy.

“I understand.” She glanced at the door. Flames now licked the outside of it. She concentrated on the way the fire moved. Now what? Were those sirens? Fire department? God, she hoped so, because she was starting to panic.

Think, Brianna. She glanced around her room. The window. She’d left it open. Was it big enough? Well, they were about to find out.

* * * *

Rafe jumped into the fire truck with the others as they took off. His gut churned. The elementary school was on fire. Brianna was his first thought. They were the closest to the school, but the chief had already called in two other houses to be on the safe side.

The truck pulled into the parking lot, and Rafe leaped out as it stopped. Flames shot from the roof of the school. Fighting his urge to go find Brianna, he started pulling the hoses from the truck and hooking them up, his eyes darting everywhere.

Tim grabbed the hose. “Go find her.”

Rafe looked at the chief, who nodded. He glanced around, looking again for Brianna, but he couldn’t see her. Then he saw her class standing with another teacher. “Do you know where Brianna is?” he asked.

“She went back inside to get Andy,” one of the kids said.

His heart froze. She ran back into the fire. No… She was afraid. Looking around, he found the principal and ran over to her. “Is there anyone else missing?”

---