Page 46 of Burning for the Truth

“I appreciate it, brother. But things were better for everyone when I left the first time,” I tell him.

“You’re wrong,” he says adamantly.

“I don’t think so. No one was killed because of me. And no one was brokenhearted because of me,” I say as I walk into my kitchen.

“Dean…what the hell? You didn’t cause anyone to be killed! You can’t be serious right now. You know that, don’t you?”

I face away from him, bracing myself on the counter and squeeze my eyes shut against the stinging tears. “I should’ve been strong enough to save him…either by pushing him away or getting us out faster, or I should’ve been able to pull myself out so I could get to him. It’s my fault. It should’ve been me. I was his lieutenant. He was my responsibility; he was my friend…my brother. He had so much to live for. It’s my fault.” My voice cracks and my shoulders shake with the sobs I can’t hold back anymore. I haven’t cried for Drew since the hospital.

I feel him turn me around and he pulls me into a tight hug. “No. No, you’re wrong. Bad things happen to good people, Dean. You are not to blame for this. It’s not on you. It’s on the bastard who’s setting these fires. Not you. You didn’t do anything the rest of us wouldn’t have done. If Drew was here, he’d tell you the same and you know it. Don’t do this to yourself. You’re a good man and one hell of a firefighter. One heck of a lieutenant. And you’re one damn good best friend,” he tells me as he hugs me tighter than I think I’ve ever been hugged before.

We pull apart to look at each other, but he still has me by the shoulders. “You can’t leave like this, okay? I love you, brother, and you need to be here with the people who love you most.” He grins at me gleefully with bright eyes. “And even though I don’t want to think about it too much, that includes Briella. She loves you. I can see that. Don’t give up on her.”

I smile through my tears. “I love her too. And I’d never give up on her willingly. I want to fight for her, I’m just not sure it’s what she wants.”

“I know how you can find out…talk to her,” he says like it’s the easiest thing in the world.

“She doesn’t want to talk to me. I’ve tried,” I admit.

“Try again. She may be a little more receptive now that she’s had a few days to calm down.” He winks like he knows a secret. “You’ve always known how fiery she is.”

He stares at me seriously again. “Don’t bottle those emotions up. I’m here for you, Dean.”

“I know, man. I know. And I’ll reach out to Briella again before I leave this evening.”

Sterling looks at me. “I know you gotta do what you gotta do, but you need to trust me…leaving isn’t the way to go. It’s staying here and loving my sister.”

I text Briella after Sterling leaves. I feel better after our talk. But my decision to go or stay still depends on Briella. If she asks me to stay, I will, and if not…well, I’ll leave so she can move on without interference from me.

Me:Can we talk, BB?

Briella:We should.

Me:Can you meet me at my house this afternoon?

I wait as those three little dots appear.

Briella:I can be there at 5:00.

Me:I’ll be here.

If our talk goes well, I’ll cancel my interview, but if not, I should have just enough time to still make it.

This afternoon, we’ll find out if this time right now is finally our time or if we were always only meant to be friends. The thought breaks me, but all I want is her happiness.

I’m nervous as I drive to Dean’s house. I can’t help but wonder what he’ll say.

My phone buzzes with a text from Serena.

Serena:Bree, he’s at the gym. Help me.

My heart pounds at the text. I whip my car around and drive to the gym. When I get there, no one is around. I exit my car and pull out my phone to drop my location to Sterling. It’s something we’ve always done if we need the other. But before I can…my phone rings.Serena.

“Hello? Serena, are you okay?” I ask quickly.

“He said you can’t let anyone know you’re here or he’ll kill me,” she sobs. I hear something rustle and she shouts, “Run, Briella! Save yourself! Call for help and don’t worry about—” The line goes dead.

I pull out my personal weapon and enter the gym. It’s dark and empty, but the smell of gasoline is overwhelming. I wait as my eyes adjust and strain to listen. I make my way to what we call the heart of the gym and see Serena tied to a chair in the center. I search the room as I approach her. She has tape over her mouth, and she shakes her head as I move closer. Tears stream down her face and a bruise is forming under her right eye.

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