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“Look, son,” Gramps stood up and placed a hand on my shoulder. “You did the right thing. Give her some time now that she knows how serious you are. In the meantime, you have a real problem with Rory, and she needs to be stopped.”

“I know. I started to go straight to the station and confront her, but Captain Reed has been making it known that he wants any drama settled outside of the station.”

“This is more than drama,” Carlee piped in. “Easton this is crossing into harassment territory.”

“She’s right,” Daniel added. “We need to get Captain Reed involved, and let him know how far this has gone, before he starts believing the rumors.”

“I’m on shift tomorrow. I’ll talk to him before I talk to Rory.”

“Let me know if I need to arrest anybody.” Miles was cracking his knuckles, hoping for any excuse to use his badge.

“I’m on shift tomorrow, too,” Daniel stood up, then reached for Carlee’s hand to help her up. “I’ll back you.”

“Thanks man. And thanks for coming out here tonight.”

“Oh please,” Carlee swatted me. “A night without the kids, Grams’ cooking, and getting to call you an idiot? We should do this every week.”

God I loved that woman. She was like having a sister, fit right in with my family, and always made me laugh.

“I’m gonna get her home,” Daniel came in for a hug, and patted me on the back. “Let me know what the plan is and I’m there.”

“Sure thing man.”

They made their rounds and said goodbye, then Ms. Ellison stood up and started to do the same. She had told me she saw Jesse leaving to get Max, but I had called and asked her to goto Grams’ and Gramps’ house before Jesse made it home, so she was never able to pop in and check on her.

“I missed her earlier,” Ms. Ellison reminded me as she hugged me goodbye. “But I’ll check on her in the morning.”

“Thanks for looking out for her.”

“It's late,” Miles stepped up. “How about I give you a ride home, Ms. Ellison? We can talk trash about Easton behind his back on the way.”

“Now that is tempting,” she laughed, “But?—”

Ms. Ellison was cut off by the radio on Miles’ uniform. It was easy to forget it was there because nothing worth reporting ever happened in Harmony Haven.Butthe dispatcher’s voice was loud and urgent.

“Reports of a house fire at 123 55th St. off Main. Smoke is visible. Fire department en route. Be advised of possible occupants inside. Repeat, possible occupants inside.”

My brothers and I recognized that address instantly, as well as Ms. Ellison. She covered her mouth, her eyes wide, and she watched on as Miles and West grabbed me and dragged me toward the door.

“Stay with Grams,” Miles shouted at Ms. Ellison, not giving her a chance to argue. “West, hang on to Easton.”

It was like having an out of body experience as the call kept repeating inside my head. I was present, I could see everyone around me, but I couldn’t move on my own. My vision was blurry, yet I could see myself from above. The noises started to muffle, my heartbeat seemed to slow.

It was peaceful while also chaotic, and I was afraid that if I left that state, it’d sink in that the address was Jesse’s. That her house was on fire. That it was reported there may have been occupants present inside the fire.

West had thrown me into the back of Miles’ SUV and we were headed toward Jesse's house. The same one I had responded toseveral weeks ago, only there was no report of smoke, just a child asking for a fire truck. It was the night I met Jesse. The night my whole fucking life changed.

“Hurry,” I finally shouted.

Miles was on the radio, letting them know he was responding to the call and was en route. West was tapping buttons on his phone in the front passenger seat, and glancing back at me every so often.

There was a cage between us, and I sat close with my head pressed against the barrier and my fingers holding on to the metal mesh.

“Neighbors reported smoke, but it may not be that bad,” West assured me, but that did nothing to ease my fears.

Reaching for my phone, I pressed her name in my contacts, but it didn’t even ring before it went to voicemail. That didn’t stop me from trying again, and again.

The drive from my grandparents’ house into town was usually thirty minutes, but Miles had the lights flashing on his patrol car and we made it in fifteen. We rounded the corner of Main Street on what felt like two tires, and then again as we turned onto 55th.

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