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She fully expected him to grab her arm, but he didn’t. “What does that mean?” he said.
She turned in the bathroom doorway. “It means I listened to you for seventeen years. Every word. You know how many times I didn’t listen to you? Once. And I’ve been paying for it ever since. Guess what, Dad? I’m a grown-up. No matter what you think, I’m a good mother. I’m a good firefighter. And I’m going to be a good paramedic. Michael is not a criminal. He’s doing the best he can, despite people like you making it impossible. If I want to see him, I’m going to see him. And if you don’t like it, that’s just too bad for you.”
With that, she slammed the door and turned on the faucet, glad that the sound of the shower would drown out anything else he had to say.
The nurse had a toothbrush. Toothpaste, too. And a razor and shaving cream. She removed Michael’s IV and examined his stitches, then told him he could take a shower. Adam and Hunter said they’d wait.
Michael turned the water as hot as he could tolerate and stood under the stream for a while.
He still had no idea where to go. Back to Adam’s for the night? And then what?
Guilt tweaked his thoughts. He should have warned Hannah. But what would he have said? A crazy bomber/arsonist took a picture of you and James to threaten me. Watch your back. Oh, and he might have Elemental powers.
Sure. Maybe he’d like another night in the hospital—in the psych ward.
No matter what Michael thought of the fire marshal, he was glad Hannah lived with a man who could provide some protection for her and James.
Unlike you.
He told his conscience to stick it.
The water felt good across his shoulders, but eventually his skin began to prune. He’d need to face reality sooner or later. It might as well be sooner.
The clothes still had tags on them, and Michael added another line to his ongoing mental list. He’d have to pay Adam back when he found his wallet. Everything felt starchy and new, and the shirt was nothing he would have bought for himself, but it all fit. Even the shoes.
When he walked out of the bathroom, he found another visitor waiting in the chairs next to his bed.
“Wow,” said Tyler. “That is one teal shirt.”
“What are you doing here?” Michael threw the bag on the bed. Hunter and Adam didn’t seem fazed by Tyler’s presence, but they didn’t have the history with him that Michael and his brothers did.
If he didn’t know better, he’d say Tyler looked hurt. “Gee, Merrick. Glad to see you made it through okay.” He stood, and Michael realized he had crutches with him. “Guess I’ll leave you alone, then.”
“He came to check on you,” said Adam.
“Said you were trapped under the restaurant together,” added Hunter.
Michael sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. He’d been so caught up in the drama with his brothers that he hadn’t even thought to ask if Tyler had survived.
Pretty shitty, especially considering that Tyler had probably kept them all from burning to a crisp.
“Stop,” he said to Tyler. “Wait. I’m sorry.”
Tyler turned, and one crutch squeaked against the floor. “Did you just say you’re sorry?”
“Don’t make me take it back.” He paused and gave Tyler a clear once-over. “I’m glad you didn’t lose your leg or anything.”
“They said I might need surgery. Screw that. I told them to give me the good pain pills and let me get the hell out of here.”
Michael raised his eyebrows. “And they listened?”
“Nah, but Quinn brought me a lighter. My second ultrasound looked amazing. They must have read the first one wrong. The crutches are really just for show. ” Tyler half smiled. “Maybe I should have brought you a bag of sand or something.”
“I’m all right. Nick helped.” Michael swallowed.
Tyler glanced at Hunter and Adam. “Yeah, they told me what happened.” He paused. “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.” He gave a laugh though nothing was very funny. “I don’t even know where my wallet is, much less—”
