Page 9 of Burn It Down

My entire body goes stiff, and I feel that rage bubbling through me, but the weird thing is it wasn’t an insult. I don’t think. I don’t think he’s actually trying to be an asshole. It’s like he’s just stating a simple fact.

It’s strange, but mostly I hate that it hurts that that’s how Kade described me. Does he actually remember me? And that’s how he saw me—which may be worse. God, I need to get a grip. Who cares what the Mitchell brothers thought about me in school?

“Hey, you okay? I didn’t mean that in a bad way.” He actually looks a little freaked-out and I clear my throat, stiffening my stance and forcing a smile.

“Of course, I’m okay. But I do need to talk to you for a moment in private.”

Bowen looks down at his nephew and then motions to the playground at the side of the school. “Can you go play for a minute, buddy? I’ll be right there.”

Elijah nods his head slowly but looks hesitant to leave at first before he walks over to the swings and sits on one.

“Look, man. When I said nerd, I don’t see that as like a bad thing. You were one of the smart kids. That’s all?—”

I hold up my hand to stop him from talking because I really don’t want to go down that road. “No, that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about. I was going to talk to Kade, but since he’s not here, I’ll ask you.”

“Yeah, he’s on his first twenty-four-hour shift today. He’ll be back tomorrow to pick him up from school.”

“Twenty-four-hour shift?” I ask, confused. That’s a long shift.

Bowen just nods his head like it’s nothing. “Twenty-four on, forty-eight off. Life of a fireman.”

“Kade is a fireman?” I didn’t know that, but why would I? All I knew when he left was that he didn’t have a plan for college—only because of the senior year wrap-up we all filled out before we left.

“We both are,” he says confidently, and that makes sense, I suppose. Both brothers are well-built, strong men, and Bowen has the sort of cockiness I’d expect a firefighter to need. Not that I think that’s a bad thing. What I mean is it takes a lot of confidence to run into a burning building.

“Oh.”

Bowen is studying me carefully now. “Is that what you wanted to talk about? Kade not being here? Because trust me, while I’m sure you see me as a fuckboy, and you wouldn’t be wrong,”—he points in the direction of his nephew—“when it comes to that kid, I’m more than capable.” Seems I’ve inadvertently struck a nerve with Bowen.

“That’s not it at all,” I say honestly. I can tell how much Bowen loves Elijah. No questions here. “I’m worried because when we were going around the class and introducing ourselves, Elijah said his father died.”

I watch Bowen’s expression completely change, and he winces. “Fuck.”

I nod my head solemnly—the teacher in me wanting to tell him to watch his mouth since there are still kids around waiting to be picked up—but I feel his sentiment.

“Kade fell through a floor a few months ago in a fire. He was pretty banged-up.” I can’t hide the horror I feel thinking about that. “But he’s fine. My brother is tough as hell. But Elijah took it hard.”

I nod my head grimly. “I can’t imagine.”

“Yeah, it didn’t help that his dumbass babysitter didn’t know what the hell to do and didn’t tell him Kade was fine. He spent a long time that day thinking his dad was dead.”

“Jesus,” I say in shock, and Bowen looks angry. I can’t blame him for that. “What about counseling?”

“Elijah still goes once a week. His counselor says he’s processing everything, but it takes time. I think Kade said he’ll still be going every Friday after school.”

I’m glad the child is getting help. That’s a lot to go through as a child. It would be hard for an adult.

“Hey. Look, Spencer...” Bowen grabs my attention at the sound of his tentative voice. “If I did something to you in high school that could make you?—”

“Don’t,” I snap quickly because if he accuses me of being unkind to Elijah like Kade did this morning, I’ll lose my shit. “You didn’t do anything, and Elijah is a great kid who I’ll make sure has an amazing year in my classroom.”

He grins at me, the right side of his mouth kicking up in a happy smirk. “So it was Kade who has you all pissy?”

“What? No. I’m not pissy,” I sputter, flustered.

“What did he do?” He looks way too amused by this as he nudges my arm with his. “You can totally tell me.”

“He didn’t do anything.”

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