Page 41 of Everybody Needs a Hero

Bryce smiled. “I heard that,” she said. “And if you’re hungry we are on the same page. I need to eat something.”

Turning toward the kitchen, Drew wracked her brain to think of what she even had to eat in the house. “I usually do frozen dinners, and I’m not much of a cook,” she said, looking at the others.

Smiling, Tess held up her hands. “Not my strength either,” she said, and Ashley chimed in.

“I’m only good at making coffee.”

Drew shrugged. “Well, then it is instant mac and cheese,” she said with a smile, and Bryce perked up.

“As long as there is plenty of it, I’m in,” she said. “Lead me to the kitchen.”

Drew surprised herself by laughing. It felt good after everything they went through. “I’ll show you,” she said, but Tess shook her head.

“I’m sorry, but I need a shower before I do anything else,” she said. “Food, and hopefully lots of wine, will have to wait.”

Ashley nodded. “Me too. I don’t think I can survive another minute without a shower.”

“No problem,” Drew said, pointing toward the hallway. “Bedrooms and bathrooms are at the end of the hall, and there should be towels in them so use whatever you need.”

Tess stepped forward, pulling Drew into a hug, and whispered in her ear. “Thank you.”

Then she was off down the hall with her daughter as Drew led Bryce to the kitchen. “Help yourself to whatever is in the fridge,” she said. “And I will take a beer.” Not only was she parched, but nothing sounded better than a beer right then.I don’t care if it is only five o’clock in the morning, she thought. She needed something a little stronger than water.

As Bryce rummaged through the options, Drew started a pot of water boiling and was happy to see there was leftover French bread. Garlic bread and instant macaroni and cheese sounded like heaven. “Here you go,” Bryce said, putting the beer on the counter beside her. “I snagged one too.”

“Perfect,” Drew said, opening the bottle with a twist, and she held it up so she and Bryce could tap them together. “I’m glad to know you, Bryce.”

Bryce nodded. “Same,” she said, and they both took a long swallow.

With steaming-hotshower water running over her body, Tess rinsed the minty-smelling shampoo from her hair. As the suds ran down the drain, Tess felt some of the stress of her day wash away. Not everything, but enough she felt she could breathe normally again, and her heart didn’t race from all the adrenaline.And to think everything started with a kiss, she remembered. Her talk with Drew in her trailer about the scene the author didn’t want. That felt like a lifetime ago. So much insanity happened since the kiss it was almost unfathomable that she lived through it. Yet the events were all very real.

First, the earthquake shook downtown and made the world start to collapse around them.And my crawling under the concrete to help Linda, she thought.Who I hope is okay now and back with her family.Frowning, she wished she had asked for her phone number. It would feel good to check on her.Maybe there is a way to find out her information since she went to the hospital. Especially if Drew could help her. She would find out after her world settled a little more. And then there was the fire and watching her daughter run into the burning house. She thought her heart would stop. Even though she loved her daughter more than anything on Earth, she never imagined she could be so crazy brave, yet she pulled on Bryce as the flames threatened. In some strange way, while they lay on the grass and the house collapsed, Tess was never prouder of her daughter. She was a hero too.

Suddenly, she heard a light knock on the bathroom door. “Hello?” Drew said, and Tess smiled. I wonder if she’s coming to join me, she thought and then gave a little laugh. Her shy friend, who she hoped would someday be something more, would be the last person to surprise her in the shower.With people in the house especially.

“I’m still in the shower,” Tess replied loud enough to be heard over the water. “Is everything all right?”

“I brought you a change of clothes,” Drew answered clearly behind the closed door. “Everything is fine, but I didn’t think you wanted to put on the muddy clothes from today.”

Clean clothes sounded like total bliss. “Thank you so much,” Tess said. “You are very generous.”

Drew laughed. “You might not think so when you see that it’s baggy sweatpants and a USC Trojans hoodie.”

Tess didn’t think there was anything she wouldn’t wear under the circumstances. “I’ll take it,” she said and then heard the door open and close in the blink of an eye.Yes, she is still very nervous indeed, Tess thought with a smile. Turning off the water, she stepped out onto the fluffy bathmat to grab a towel. The mirror was foggy, but a quick swipe with her hand and she saw her reflection. Naked. No makeup, wet hair, and a few monster bruises forming on her forearms and knees from the crawl along the ground. Otherwise, she was fine.Unbelievable.After everything, how can that possibly be?With a shake of her head, Tess dressed quickly in the too short sweats and red and gold hoodie. She suddenly couldn’t wait to join the others. Not because she was suddenly starving, but to be near them all again. To be able to lay eyes on her daughter and friends and know everyone was together. That they were safe.

Tess returnedwith wet hair and a smile on her face. “That was the best shower of my life,” she said, and Drew could not stop looking at how beautiful the woman was. Something about having no makeup and wearing Drew’s baggie sweatshirt and sweatpants made her look vulnerable.

“My turn,” Bryce said around a mouthful of mac and cheese. She took a drink, finishing her beer, and swallowed. “Drew, that was fantastic. Don’t put it away. I’ll be back for seconds a minute after I get clean.” As she left, Tess and Drew were alone, and the room was suddenly quiet.

Dropping her eyes before Tess noticed she was staring, Drew busied herself putting Bryce’s dishes in the sink. “Ready for some food?” she asked, with her back to Tess. For some reason, she suddenly felt emotional toward the woman.I think a better word is attracted, she thought and didn’t know what to do about it.It’s all so crazy.

As if sensing her confusing thoughts, Tess came to stand near her, leaning her hip against the counter. “I am hungry, but what I really want is wine,” she answered with a bit of a laugh. When Drew didn’t immediately respond, she felt Tess touch her arm. “Are you okay?”

That is a great question, Drew thought.After all that has happened, why am I feeling so good? Simply because I am near her? How can I possibly be happy after the last twenty-four hours?Yet, she was and turned to Tess. The woman searched her face. “Today was hard,” Drew answered. “For you as much as anyone.”

Tess nodded. “Yes, it was,” she said. “And I know it’s not over. There is clean-up required, and I don’t know what has happened to my home.” She took another step closer until they were nearly chest to chest. “But right here, right now, I’m grateful to be alive. Grateful that everyone is safe, and honestly, all I want to focus on is you.”

Swallowing hard, feeling a million emotions, Drew had things she wanted to say on her tongue, but the words would not come out. As an author nothing could be more frustrating. Clearly sensing her struggle, Tess touched her cheek with her fingertips, making warmth spread through Drew’s body. Not the passion she had felt at times before, but tenderness. Nothing Tess could have done would have felt more intimate. The longing to put her arms around the woman made Drew ache.But I’m not sure I’m ready,she thought and stepped away, changing the subject. “Do you want me to turn on the news? Maybe find out more on those fires in Beverly Hills.” She started toward the living room.

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