Page 45 of Bleeding Hearts

Once I’m buckled up in the front passenger seat, we take off. This is stupid. Cracked ribs are part of the job and I would’ve been fine.

The coolness of the window soothes me as I lean my head against it and close my eyes, doing my best to not let my mind take me down a road I have no desire visiting.

Chapter 22

Nolan

This right here is why I didn’t want to go to the ER. Four hours and I’m still waiting. I just returned from getting X-rays. All I can do now is wait for the doctor to come tell me if my ribs are cracked or just badly bruised. Either way, I’ll be told to take it easy until they heal. Depending on which, I could either be assigned restricted duties or be closely monitored while working.

The curtain pulls back, and I sit up with a wince, thinking it’s the doctor.

It’s not.

With a frown, I ask, “What are you doing here?” Not meaning to seem ungrateful, but I look terrible, and I’d rather she didn’t see me like this.

Bethany points her cane at me, unimpressed. “Nice to see you, too.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. It is nice to see you. Always is.” With a sigh, I rub my sweaty palm across my face and give it another try. “I mean, why areyouhere? You should be in bed. Wait, how did you get here? Did someone bring you?”

Last week she was given the green light to drive, but she’s still without a vehicle. Until the settlement lands in her bank account, car shopping has been put on hold.

“Alicia loaned me hers. She’s driving a company car,” she says, making her way to the chair next to me. “Tough night at the office?”

“You could say that.” I’m kind of surprised she’s not freaking out. “What do you know?”

“Basically, what they’re reporting on the news.” Methodically, she counts off each point on her fingers. “There was an apartment fire. They’re still investigating the cause. No casualties. A few residents were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. And one firefighter was sent for observation after the building blew up behind him while rescuing a resident.”

“That was on the news?”

She shakes her head. “No. That was on social media. A resident posted a video.”

“That’s not exactly what happened,” I lie and know she sees right through my bullshit. “I’m sure it looks worse than it actually was.”

“Maybe.” Bethany reaches into her purse and pulls out her phone. “Why don’t you be the judge of that?”

“I don’t need to see it. I was there. They always look…” I stop talking when she flips her phone around and the video plays.

It catches the whole goddamn thing. Bentley exiting the building a few minutes before me. Smoke billowing and circling the steel door he exited. A crackle and hiss are followed by me breaking through the door. Fifteen feet from the building, the searing heat of the firebomb engulfs me, knocking me down just as it explodes in an ear-shattering roar.

Damn.

That’s why I’ve been hesitant to let Kellie use social media. People post everything. The emotional impact on the families, and their deep-rooted fear, is completely overlooked.

“Don’t worry. I’ve already told Cora to make sure she talks with Kellie before she sees this. I mean, no one can tell it’s you. But thatisyou, right?” Sighing, she turns her phone around and replays the video a second time.

“It’s me. But as you can see, I’m fine. Just a little bruised.” I stretch out my arms, forgetting about my ribs and grunt. “Fuck.”

“More than a little.” Rising, she walks over to the bed. “May I?”

With a nod, I lean back and allow her to lift my shirt. I’m aware of what it looks like. Black and blue already. If the doctor doesn’t confirm cracked ribs, I’ll be shocked.

“That’s gotta hurt.” With a gentle tug, she lowers my shirt but remains standing. “They also posted a photo of the firefighter’s gear you were wearing. Guess it’s a good thing you had that on. For you and the young woman you saved.”

“Bethany, I’m fine.” I reach for her hand, but she steps back and returns to her seat. “And for the record, that’s why we wear the gear. It’s there to protect us.”

“I know. I’m glad you’re okay.” With a swallow and a subtle shake of her head, she pastes on a fake smile.

On the verge of proving my strength by jumping off the bed, I’m interrupted—the curtain swings open, the doctor’s crisp white coat and the smell of antiseptic filling the space.

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