Leaning on him felt dangerous in a different way than anything else she'd faced tonight.It felt like the beginning of something she wasn't prepared for, something that could hurt in ways fire never could.
But for now, in this moment, with her world reduced to char and steam and the steady circle of his arms, it also felt like the only thing keeping her upright.
So she stayed.
And so did he.
ChapterThree
"Ican stay with Maggie," Sabrina said.
Her voice sounded stronger than she felt.She stood near the open door of Colby's truck, arms folded tightly against her chest, the last of the fire crews clearing out behind them.Engines rolled away one by one, their headlights sweeping over the wreckage before turning toward town, leaving trails of red taillights in the growing dusk.
Colby stood a few feet from her, sweatshirt unzipped.Soot still darkened the creases around his eyes, and exhaustion had settled into the set of his shoulders, but his gaze on her remained sharp."You sure about that?"
"She offered before," Sabrina said."She told me once, if I ever needed a place, I should call.No questions asked."
"Then call."
She dug into the pocket of the sweatpants they had given her—pale blue, too thin, smelling faintly of industrial detergent—and pulled out her phone.There was a hairline crack running across the screen she didn't remember getting.She focused on the familiar act of finding Maggie's number and pressed the call icon.
It rang three times.
"Mags, hey," Sabrina said when her friend answered."It's me."
"Sabi."Maggie's voice came through thick with relief, and something frazzled underneath."Oh, thank God.Are you alright?I've been slammed all day with folks coming down to rubberneck at the mess, but I've been watching out the window every chance I get.I'm so sorry I didn't get over there."
"I'm okay."Sabrina closed her eyes briefly, letting the familiar cadence of her friend's voice wash over her."I mean, I'm out.The hospital cleared me.A little smoky, a little wobbly, but standing."
Maggie blew out a breath into the phone."I'm so sorry.I can't believe...is it really gone?All of it?"
"Yeah."She forced the word out past the tightness in her throat."Listen, I wouldn't be asking if I had another option, but...can I crash with you for a few days?Just until I figure out what comes next?"
The pause on the other end stretched longer than it should have.
"I'm so sorry, Sabi," Maggie said, regret heavy in every syllable."The twins both came down with that stomach bug that's been going around.Jamie's sleeping on the couch, so they don't share a room and pass it back and forth.Kyle's in the recliner because he pulled a double shift at the plant and needed to be near the kids in case they called for him.There isn't an inch of couch or floor left in this house that doesn't have a bucket next to it."
Sabrina swallowed."Oh."
"If it was just me, I'd make it work," Maggie rushed on, words tumbling over each other."You know I would.I'd sleep standing up in the closet if it meant you had a bed.But I don't want you catching this on top of everything else you're dealing with.And there literally isn't space.Not even bad space."
Sabrina's grip tightened on the phone until the cracked screen bit into her palm."No, I get it.Of course.You've got your hands full."
"I'm so sorry.If I can kick my husband out to the garage in a day or two, I will, but tonight..."
"It's okay," Sabrina said quickly, before the guilt in Maggie's voice could get any thicker."Really.Take care of them.That's what matters."
Maggie's voice softened."What are you going to do?"
"I'll manage."
She felt Colby's gaze on her when she said it, steady and assessing.
"I can call around," Maggie added."See if anyone in my book club has a spare room.Linda's kids are grown, and she's got that finished basement?—"
"Don't worry about it.You've got sick kids who need their mom."Sabrina forced a lighter tone into her voice, the one she used with difficult guests."Go be Super Mom.We'll talk tomorrow."
"Call me if you need anything.I mean it, Sabi.Anything at all."
