Page 88 of Phoenix

“How did you get out?” he asks.

“Dad got us out pretty quickly. He was still awake when it all started. He helped us get out and away from the building. And then we heard the screams for help.” Tears sting my eyes and I wipe them away when they fall. “My dad had to be a hero. He couldn’t just stay with us and be safe. He needed to help other people. I should be proud of my father, but I’m not. I’m angry at him for running back into the flames...and I’m angry at my mother for going with him because she was too scared to let him out of her sight.”

I look up at him. “We never saw them again. The last memory I have was them telling us to stay put, and stay together...and then they were gone. It wasn’t until the police forced us to go with social services did we realize they were really never coming back to us.”

“Phoenix...” He slides his thumb along my tattoo. “I’m so sorry.”

“Fire changed my life forever...and water changed yours.” I bring his hand to my lips and kiss his palm, then place it on my cheek. “We are royally fucked up.”

“Is that why you’re so drawn to swimming?” he asks.

It takes me a moment to process his question before I truly understand. “I think so. I think I find solace in the thing that could have saved my parents...or stopped the fire from happening all together. Water.”

“It’s like a cosmic joke.”

“What is?”

“The fact water is your therapy while it’s my nightmare.”

“Have you ever tried going back into the water in a controlled way?” I ask.

“I’ve thought about it, but it’s something I’d have to be completely sure of first. My doctor tells me I need to take those steps to overcome it. I know it sounds stupid...”

“It doesn’t. Not at all. I still have panic attacks when I have to treat burns, Case. Mental health isn’t stupid. It’s important to do what you have to in order to make yourself better.”

He leans in closer and presses his forehead against mine. “Thank you.”

“For what?” I whisper, resting my hands on his chest.

“Showing up tonight, listening, and sharing with me.”

“I like you, Case. I couldn’t stay away if I tried,” I admit.

Our bodies are magnets, pulled to one another with intensity and force. Without even a moment of hesitation, I cover his lips with mine and melt into him.

Clothes slide off.

Bodies mold together.

Time ceases to exist.

For now...

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