Page 49 of Bleeding Hearts

I really wanted to check on him tonight. He’s another stupid male who believes he’s got his shit together and can handle things on his own. While I hope he’s right, I have my doubts and kind of want him to come crawling to me and ask how I can help. I’ve seen it enough times. Have counseled my share of first responders after a close call or a bad one. Nine times out of ten, it hits them harder than they anticipated, and they’re forced to face the truth that they, too, are human, even though others see them as heroes.

NOLAN:

I’m fine. Do you want me to call you later so you can talk about what stupid shit Finn did? I might be able to help. I used to be a dumb teenage boy, believe it or not.

That actually makes me laugh.No shit.

ME:

I believe it. I’ll call you after I get him home and decide WTF to do with him. It’s times like this I wish Davis wasn’t such a fuck up. I blame him for all the bad shit his boys do.

NOLAN:

Let me guess, they’re his boys when they do bad shit and yours when they do amazing things? Makes perfect sense to me.

I smile and debate in my head if I should type this or not. Once I’m in the car, I take a chance.

ME:

This is why you make such a great boyfriend.

With a flick of my wrist, I toss the phone onto the seat next to me, not sure I want to see his response. As I’m driving, I hear it buzz in the seat a few times, but ignore it. After I’ve parked and before I get out, I reach over and grab it to read it before dealing with my son.

NOLAN:

And now I’m hard. As soon as you’ve dealt with Finn, your boyfriend wants you to come to his house so he can punish you for being so damn stubborn.

Chapter 24

Nolan

The unbearable heat makes my skin feel like it’s being scorched. I’m suffocating from the lack of air. It feels like a thousand-pound gorilla is sitting on my chest as I roll out of bed and land on the floor. Down here, the smoke is less intense.

Someone yells from the hallway. “Fire department. Call out.”

I shout back. “In here! I’m in here.”

Black boots appear in the doorway, and I try to move, but I’m too weak. “Fire department. Call out. Anyone in here?”

My throat burns with each attempt to shout, a harsh rasp replacing any hope of a clear, strong voice. “I’m right here, dammit.”

As the boots vanish, his next words hang in the air. “All clear.”

“Not fucking all clear. I’m right fucking here, idiot.”

From my position on the floor, I’m invisible and inaudible to anyone out there. I’ll have to get myself out of this.

I cough again, then crawl across the floor on my belly until I reach the hallway. Smoke pours in from all directions. I’m lost. The layout of my house so unfamiliar; I can’t figure out which way to go. Panic swells as I frantically search, unable to locate the door or my girls.

“Daddy, help me.” My little girl’s cry cuts through the raging fire. “Daddy!”

“I’m coming! Stay put! I’m coming!” Struggling to my feet, I yell toward the sound, the ground trembling beneath me.

Guided by her voice, I run my fingertips along the walls as I walk down the long hall. Just as I’m about to reach her, a bloodcurdling scream echoes from behind, making me jump.

“Dad! Dad! Please, help!” Kellie’s voice, tight with fear, cuts through the crackling roar of the flames that now surround me, the heat intense on my skin. “The fire is so hot!”

“Daddy!” A choked sob escapes Mollie as she cries out again, the sound full of pain and despair. “It hurts! It hurts so bad!”

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