Page 59 of Burn It Down

“What’s the teacher doing here?” His voice is brittle and rough, but of fucking course that’s his first question.

I laugh. “We’re friends.”

He gives me a knowing look—likely having put it all together. But thankfully, he doesn’t say anything else about it. Not yet. I’ll definitely get an earful soon, I’m sure. His eyes go to Tori next though, and he huffs. “Ah fuck. I’m in trouble, huh?”

“Yes, you idiot,” Tori says, making her way to the bed and taking his hand gently. “And don’t curse. Little ears,” she scolds, looking over at Elijah, who’s studying Bowen from afar.

Bowen looks over at him and gives him the softest smile I’ve ever seen on my brother. “Come here, kid.”

Elijah looks over at me first but then slowly makes his way to the bed. I stand right next to Spencer, wanting to take his hand, but settle for feeling his body heat next to mine.

“I’m okay,” Bowen says carefully to Elijah, shifting slightly to sit up on the bed. Instinct is telling me to tell him to take it easy, but I bite my tongue. And Tori must too because I can sense her wanting to say something. “I’m okay,” he says it again.

Elijah just stands there frozen for a moment, his bottom lip trembling, and I know he’s fighting tears. My heart aches for him, but I feel so relieved when he finally wraps his arms around Bowen’s neck. It’s then that I know I made the right decision bringing him here—I can see the relief in his eyes. I know that being here with family surrounding Bowen—that made a difference for my kid.

I know my brother is in pain, but he barely makes a sound and wraps his arm around Elijah’s neck too. “You didn’t die.”

Tears swell in my eyes, thinking about the day it was me in the hospital bed, and I see Tori wiping at her own eyes too. Spencer looks at Bowen and Elijah too, full of emotion. “No one is dying,” Bowen tells Elijah with certainty.

“Because you and dad are too stubborn?” Elijah asks, and it makes us all chuckle a little.

“The most stubborn men ever,” Tori says, and it makes Elijah snicker. Elijah releases Bowen and walks over to me. I lift him up in my arms and let him wrap around me. I hate that he had to go through this again, though I know it’s part of the life—he’s the kid and the nephew of firefighters. It still doesn’t make it any easier, and it doesn’t seem fair, but my son is strong.

“Dad?” he says into my ear, whispering loudly.

“Yeah?”

“I’m glad you guys are stubborn.”

I laugh at that, hugging him tight and kissing his temple. “Me too, buddy.”

I look over at Spencer, who’s watching us with admiration, and I want nothing more than to sweep him into my arms too—nothing would make me feel more complete, but I can wait.

Just a little bit longer.

We decideto let Bowen rest—well, all of us except Will, who refuses to leave his side. I say goodbye to my mother and aunt, but Tori rides back with us. She’s not going back to Oregon for a couple of days, and honestly, I’m happy as hell to have her here.

When we get back to my place, Elijah runs into the house immediately, and Spencer hangs by the driver’s door, so I’m assuming he’s not coming in. “I should get home.”

He says this quietly because my sister is lurking in the background—slowly making her way toward the door.

“You don’t have to.”

“I know,” he says like he means it. “But it’s been a long day. You should get some rest.” He brushes his hand over my cheek, and I hold it there for a moment, wanting to kiss him.

“Call you later?”

He nods. “You better.”

Ah, fuck it.I pull him to me for a quick kiss, barely ghosting over his mouth. It’s dark outside, but you never really know who’s watching around here. He smiles and pats my chest. “Later.”

I nod my head and watch him climb back into his car and wave at him as he leaves. I turn around and face my sister, who looks way too damn happy. I brush past her, going inside.

Elijah promptly tells me he’s going to his room for a bit, and I let him know I’ll be in to tuck him in soon before making myself at home on the couch. My body is exhausted from the day, and now that the adrenaline and shock have worn off, I’m really feeling it.

Tori, however, isn’t human. She plops down next to me, her elbow propped on the back of the couch as she faces me. “So you and the teacher, huh?”

“Tori . . .” I shake my head.

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