Page 117 of Exposed

I guide us a safe distance from the inferno we used to call home.

Blood is dripping from my nose, but I could care less about myself. My family is my main concern. I crouch down, using the light from the burning house to check my family for injuries.

“Anyone feel pain anywhere?” I ask.

With all of the adrenaline coursing through us, our bodies may not feel pain yet.

“Simon and I are good. I already checked him,” Jasmine answers.

“You came for me,” Rafe notes as I check his body for burns.

“Of course,” I squeeze his shoulders.

“You had Simon. You didn’t have to risk your life for me,” Rafe states, his teeth chattering. The adrenaline is overwhelming his little body.

Jasmine hugs him as tight as she can with her five-month baby bump. “You’re our family, and we’d never leave you behind.”

Rafe looks shell-shocked, his eyes wide as he looks at us, then the house.

Sirens wail nearby, then we see the fire engine’s bright lights cut through the darkness of the driveway leading to our house. I’ve enjoyed being in the country, but I didn’t think about the fact that we’re kind of far from the nearest fire station.

It feels like forever ago that I woke Jasmine up to tell her the house was on fire, but, in reality, I think it’s only been a few minutes.

The firefighters fight the fire, and an ambulance arrives to verify that we’re all okay. I’ve got a couple of minorburns, but nothing serious, and we’re all given oxygen to help cleanse our lungs.

Having paramedics tend to us takes me back to the night Grace died. I let the memories linger for only a moment, honoring her, before I push them out. I’m grateful for the family I have today, and I’m thankful we’re all alive. I’ll keep them safe and happy with every breath I have.

It’s four in the morning here, which means it’s six in Aveline where Noah, Hope and Zuri are. I’m sure Noah is already awake and on a run, so I give him a call.

“What’s wrong?” Noah asks immediately when he answers.

“What? You don’t think I’m calling with good news when it’s four in the morning here?” I joke, then cough when I try to laugh.

“What happened?” He asks again, always to the point.

“Firefighters are currently trying in vain to save our house from a fire,” I sigh as I hold a wriggly Simon. I don’t want him anywhere near the danger. He’s wide awake, but I know we’ll all crash later.

“Fuck, Matt. I’ll have my dad bring you guys a spare key. We’ll be back in a few days to help out, and we’ve got plenty of room. You can stay with us as long as you need,” Noah says.

The guy may have a prickly exterior, but he’s got a heart of gold for the people he cares about.

“Thanks, Noah. I appreciate it. Who knows how long it will take to work with insurance and get our house rebuilt,” I surmise.

“Don’t mention it. Zuri is teething, so I can’t promise how much sleep you’ll get with her fussing at night.”

“Been there, done that. No worries,” I assure him. “See ya soon.”

“See you then.” Noah hangs up, and I turn back to my family.

“Looks like we’ll be staying with Noah and Hope while we work with insurance to get the house rebuilt,” I inform them.

“That’s fine. As long as we’re okay, that’s all I care about,” Jasmine says, moving to put her arm around Rafe’s shoulders.

Rafe’s been quiet this whole time. He looks at me, his lips parted like he wants to talk.

“Whatcha thinking?” I ask him.

“I, um, I want to stay with you guys.”

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