"Reina should go to the hospital to get checked out," Maddox said to Morgan.
Maddox was the fire chief and appeared to be in charge of the scene.
Morgan nodded."I'll go with her."
"You should get checked out too," Maddox said, but the stretcher lifted into the air, and I was being rolled around the building toward the ambulance.
I had a feeling there were people watching the scene play out, and I closed my eyes against the intrusion, feeling vulnerable and exposed.
I couldn't believe that there was a fire in my building.I had no idea what this would mean for my life going forward.If it was destroyed, I'd lose everything.
When the paramedics lifted my stretcher into the ambulance, Morgan's hand fell away, and my heart squeezed.
He stepped into the vehicle and sat next to me, his hand reaching for mine again.
I let out a breath when our palms touched.I never would have thought that I'd be seeking comfort from Morgan at a moment like this.Despite his friendship with my brother, I had very little interaction with him over the years.
He wasn't a firefighter.It wasn't even clear why he was nearby.But he'd known I was at home, and he'd broken into my apartment and carried me out.My heart rate picked up at the thought of him, holding me close, refusing to hand me off to a firefighter.What did it mean?
Morgan was my brother's best friend.The guy who'd hung around at my house, growing up.I'd watched him grow from an awkward, gangly teen to a man who was fit and strong.He hadn't bothered to tease me or give me a hard time like my brother had.
The ride to the hospital was short, and I was quickly moved into an exam room.Once we were alone, Morgan pulled up a chair next to the bed and asked, "You okay?"
I reached for the oxygen mask so that I could respond, but he said, "Keep that on until the doctor says you can take it off."
I didn't argue because my lungs were burning.My hands trembled as I lowered them to the bed.
He raised a concerned brow."You want me to call your brother?"
I shook my head.My parents had moved to Florida a few years ago, and my brother was deployed.I never wanted to scare him while he was gone.He couldn't lose focus, especially since I was okay, or I would be.
Tom didn't need to know about a little smoke inhalation or the setback to my business.I needed him to come home safe.And to ensure that, he didn't need to know about my troubles.He wouldn't be able to come home now anyway.
Morgan scrutinized me, and I wondered what he saw.Was I covered in soot too?"I'm going to revisit that question."
I sighed into the mask as a nurse came into the room to take my vitals and ask questions.Morgan told her what happened, and I took the opportunity to pull off my mask."Can you check him too?His arm is red."
My voice was raspy.
The nurse held his arm."Let's get you into another room so you can get that looked at."
Morgan's jaw tightened."I want to stay.She doesn't have any family in town."
The nurse's gaze flicked to me."Okay.The doctor can examine both of you here."
The doctor came into the room and examined the information the nurse had inputted on the chart.Then he moved around to my side of the bed."You're going to feel tired and weak for a while.But your energy level will improve with time."Then the doctor looked at Morgan."It will be easier for her to breathe if she's propped on pillows.She's going to need plenty of rest and sleep.Keep an eye on her."
Morgan nodded."Will do."
My stomach sank.I couldn't go back to my apartment, and I didn't have any family who could take care of me.
When the doctor left, I struggled to sit up, and Morgan moved to adjust the pillows."I don't have anywhere to live."
My voice was hoarse, and it hurt to speak.
Morgan settled the mask gently over my mouth again."You need to keep that on."
I narrowed my eyes because I couldn't talk with the mask on.
