She narrowed her eyes. “You can be.When you want.”
Unfortunately their rooms were a few down from each other. The nurse who came in to check on Scott pulled the shades then made him rest in the bed. No sneaking downto see Heather.
After a few hours of being constantly interrupted and checked on, the call was made to let him leave. He strolled down to Heather’s room to see the doctor giving her the same instructions for wound care and concussion symptoms. “If any of these things get worse, please come back immediately.”
“Jack’s on his way to pick me up. Did you want a ride or have you calledyour parents?”
Her sad expression almost killed him as she nodded. “I’d like to go with you, please.”
It was the softpleasethat got to him. His little warrior was nowhere to be seen. Sitting next to her on the bed, he pulled her into his arms. Her head fell onto his shoulder. He simply held her until Jack poked his head in.
Once they were in the truck and driving away, he asked, “Do you want us to drop you atyour parents’?”
Her head shook, but she didn’t say anything, just stared out the front window as she chewed on her lip.
“You’re more than welcome to stay with me.” No response from her. It started to worry him.
“Why don’t both of you stay at our house tonight?” Jack offered. “That way Callie and I can keep an eye on you, per doctor’s orders.”
“You don’t really have the space for us, and I don’t want to displace anyone. We can go tomy apartment.”
Heather stirred. “They blew up my house.” Her voice sounded dead, emotionless.
Pulling her closer to his side, he said, “We’ll go to my place,Jack. Thanks.”
The ride was quiet and soon Jack pulled up to the parking lot.
“Thanks for coming to get us. Appreciate it. Tell Callie not to worry. I’ll make sure Heatheris all right.”
“Call if you need anything. Anything. We owe the both of you more than we could ever repay.”
“No, you don’t.” He helped Heather slip from the truck and guided her in to the building, then the elevator. Once in his apartment, he pulled her toward his bedroom. He needed to change out of his dirty clothes but he didn’t want to leave her alone. The stupor she was in scared him. It wasso unlike her.
“Sit here while I clean up a bit. Can I get you something to drink first?”
Shaking her head, she sighed but never looked up. He quickly pulled out some sweatpants and threw them on, discarding his burnt T-shirt. She never stirred, her eyes remaining on a spot on the wall.
Sitting next to her on the bed, he stroked her face and lifted her chin until she looked at him. Despair filled her eyes.
“I know this totally sucks, but we’re alive. Nothing else matters right now.”
Her face crumpled and her lip trembled as she leaned forward then fell apart in his arms.
* * * *
Her house was gone. They’d almost been killed. Scott’s arms around her were comforting, but nothing right now could fill the emptiness Heather felt deep in her soul. Snuggling closer, she let out everything she’d been trying so hard to hold in since she’d woken up with her house in flamesearlier today.
“Shh, it’s okay. I’m right here,” Scott whispered as his hands gently caressed her back.
It wasn’t okay, though. Everything she had was gone.
Tears continued to fall and loud sobs shook her body. Scott’s soft words kept her only partially sane, but at least she had someone here to help her through this. If it hadn’t been for him smelling the gas, they’d both be dead.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice barely audible muffled against his shoulder.
“I’m not doing anything.”
“No.” She looked up at him. His face was etched in concern. “I mean for getting us out of there. I was totally lost in what we were doing, I didn’t even notice until you said something.”
