Page 32 of One Little Spark

She breathed a long sigh of relief. As long as everyone was okay. “Where’s Mom?”

“I made her go get some coffee. She’s been here all night and she’s exhausted, but she didn’t want to leave until you woke up.”

She nodded but immediately regretted it. Everything ached.

“Do you remember what happened?” Jory asked.

She swallowed. “Doc and I were having tea. He went to get more, and then it all gets hazy.”

Jory nodded. “I know Phoenix wants to talk to you when you’re up for it.”

“Okay.” She licked her dry lips, and Jory brought a papercup with a straw over for her to have a sip of water. It was so nice on her sore throat. She looked up at him, and her eyes filled with tears. “Jory…” She reached out and touched his hand. “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you about Aiden. It was all new. We would have told you right away. You just…found us first.”

Jory crossed his arms over his chest. “I want to believe you, but it’s…difficult. You two went behind my back. It’s just…wrong and weird.”

“I’ve liked Aiden for a long time, but I wasn’t sure if he liked me, too. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have moved in with him.”

Jory snorted. “Yes, you would’ve. That would totally be a ‘you’ move. Go after what you want without thinking about the consequences.”

She bit her lip. He wasn’t wrong about the old Hazel, but the new Hazel wasn’t like that. “I never meant to hurt you. You’re my brother, and I love you. I know I complain about you being so protective, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care.”

He ran a hand through his hair. “I know, Hazel. It’s just a lot to process… you and Aiden.”

She blinked back tears that had suddenly sprung into her eyes. “There’s no me and Aiden. I screwed that up, too. I hurt him so he doesn’t want anything to do with me. You don’t have to worry about it anymore.”

Jory snorted. “Hazel, the guy is mad about you. He literally ran into a burning building and dragged you out.”

She stared at her brother, fighting the hope rising in her chest. Could it be true? Could Aiden still want her? The image of the pain on his face the last time she’d spoken to him floated up from her memory. No. He might have saved her, but he’d done it for Jory and because it was his job.

“It’s nice to think so, but I don’t believe you, Jory. It’s okay, though. I’ll get…” Get over him? Not likely anytime soon.

There was a knock at the door, and Phoenix stood there.

“Hey, man,” Jory said.

Phoenix nodded to him. “How’s your sister?”

“I’m doing okay,” Hazel said and tried to push herself up a bit. Jory used the remote and moved the head of the bed to a sitting position.

“Better?” he asked.

She nodded.

“Think you can answer some questions?” Phoenix asked.

“Sure. I can give it a shot.” Just then Aiden showed up at the door. He was in a wheelchair. “What happened to you?” she demanded. Jory hadn’t mentioned Aiden had been hurt.

“I sprained my knee. Not a big deal. Just need to keep it elevated.” He gave her a very thorough once-over, which made her cheeks heat under his gaze. He rolled over to the other side of the bed from Jory. “How are you?”

“I’m okay,” she said in a quiet voice.

Phoenix cleared his throat. “Sorry, but I have to ask Hazel some questions.” He moved to the foot of the bed. “Hazel, do you remember anything about how the fire started?”

She tried to clear the cobwebs out of her brain. “I remember Doc going for more tea. I think I must have fallen asleep on the sofa because when I woke up, there was smoke in the room.”

“Do you remember anything else?”

She shook her head. “I don’t think— Wait, I think the door was stuck. I remember trying it, but it wouldn’t budge. Did the heat make it swell or something?”

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