I close my eyes, taking in his news. “Is it stupid to feel sad about that? I should be thankful. It could have been so much worse,should havebeen so much worse, Remington.”
“Lainey, you can feel any way you need to feel about all of this. But I can tell you right now, once you are healed? A scar on your face won’t stop me from touching you there ... kissing you there. That line along your jaw? I ran my finger there for the first time, and I swear to you it was like an invisible string that connected right to my damn heart. I love every inch of you, but that is like a magnet, a comfort, a high. I refuse to let that fire take it from us, baby. Okay?”
Smiling at him, basking in his love and perfect confession, I just nod.
After that, more doctors and nurses come to check on me. I learn exactly how close I came to dying on our bedroom floor, breaking down in tears at the news that this was not anaccidental fire. Sadness and shock roll over Remington and I as he tells me about what happened to Cora. As much as I hated the woman, I certainly didn’t want her life to end like that. It’s heartbreaking for her and her family.
A new blanket of fear settles over my shoulders when I look out my hospital door and see the uniformed officer standing guard and reality hits me.
Someone burned down our house.
Someone tried to kill me.
Kendra came to see me, crying nearly her whole visit and leaving me with a bag of her essentials from her home and clothes from Jess since she’s taller and more my size. Sutton called us on FaceTime so I could see Kinsley. Jess kept sending us a stream of photos and updates about Ash. Her boys were over the moon to have a dog in the house, and Matt said they were already begging to have one of their own once they have to return Ash to us.
Remington’s parents were next. Both looked haunted, worried, and relieved to see that I was finally awake. Renee wanted to stay and mother me, but Remington sent them home. I was happy to see everyone but exhausted.
Eli came earlier with much needed clothes for Remington, toiletries, all the essentials he could think of. He has been handling so many things for us, I honestly don’t know what we’d do without him.
“Please go shower, I’ll be right here when you get back,” I beg Remington.
He looks at me suspiciously, like I might meltinto the pillow or evaporate into the air if he doesn’t keep his gorgeous gaze on me at all times.
“I have a babysitter.” I motion to the officer outside my door. “I really, really want you to climb up onto this bed and hold me, sleep with me. But I won’t let you if you are a smokey mess.” I wrinkle my nose. “Plus, you are exhausted from your heroics and bedside vigil. A long, hot shower will feel good on your body,” I whisper.
“You know what else would feel good on my body,” Remington says smugly, moving closer.
“Nope.” I toss up my hand, halting his progress. “Shower, then you can touch me. Maybe I will convince the nurse to let you be the supervisor of my next shower when they finally let me out of this bed again? At least you aren’t stuck here.”
“How can I say no to that?” He smiles, kissing the top of my head, finally clean after a lovely older female nurse helped me with my own shower earlier—Remington nervously hovering barely outside the door the entire time.
“I will be so fast, don’t fall asleep without me,” he demands playfully.
“Okay.” I hum, sinking back into the pillow, shutting my eyes, missing our bed. Missing our house. Pain gutting me to my core, knowing that place is just a pile of smoldering rubble,a crime scenenow.
I hear the door click. My eyes blink sluggishly open, heavy from being almost asleep. When I look to the side of the bed expecting to see Remington, shock has me sitting up straight to find my brother, Calvin, at the foot of my bed.
“Cal?” I rasp out, pain shooting down my strained body. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh God! Lainey, I was so worried when I heard what happened. I came right away. Are you okay?” he asks, moving up the side of the bed, closer to me.
“I will be, yes. But I don’t understand. How did you know I was here?”
“Mom, of course. She called to tell me about the fire, that the house burned down. I can’t believe it. It’s amiracleyou are alive.” He reaches out for my hand, but I pull back.
I glance at the door, a sick feeling twisting not only my stomach, but my very soul. The police officer that was on guard is no longer standing at my door.
Where could he have gone?
“When did you talk to Mom?” I whisper.
“Right after you were brought in, she’s on your emergency contact form.”
He is lying. I know he’s lying because my emergency contacts, in order, are Remington, Kendra, and now Renee as of a few months ago. I changed them after the night Remington found me on the bathroom floor.
I think I am going to be sick.
“I appreciate you coming to check on me, but as you can see, Cal, I will make a full recovery.” I motion to my body.
