Chapter 28

CHAPTER 28

Xavier

Faint voices were what broke through the darkness surrounding me. They were hard to make out, the words blurring together with one another while the tones were stilted and disfigured.

I concentrated on them, trying to pull myself up from the void that had swallowed me, figuring that following it would lead me back into the light.

“ You should go.” One of them was a little more distinct—closer, maybe. “ It’s the holidays.”

“But what about you?” Younger sounding.

Where even was I?

Nothing around me looked familiar. Or rather, I couldn’t see anything that looked familiar.

Had that fire blinded me?

Going in with no gear on had been stupid, I’d give myself that much. The thing about blazes catching so quickly and with civilians inside—elders at that—seconds could mean life or death.

Choosing to go in there with no plan aside from listening to the sheer adrenaline pumping through my veins was what saved those two. At least, that’s what I’d like to hope. I’d passed out before I could make sure they were both taken to the ER.

Shit.

Was I dead ?

“It’s okay. I’ll be fine. I’ll call you guys if anything changes.” That voice again. Something else was distorted, hard to piece together while I concentrated on the voices that were drowned out by a subtle beeping sound.

Someone sighed.

“Are you sure?” A woman’s voice this time.

Something squeezed my hand. I looked down at it—couldn’t see it.

“Yeah, all good. Hope you guys have a good rest of your Christmas.”

Christmas?

Oh, fuck.

“You too, Gage.”

Gage.

“Bye, dad. See you soon.”

Dexter!

I was missing fucking Christmas. I couldn’t believe this.

How fucking long had I been out for?

Arriving home with Dexter, there had still been a few days before the holiday. And I was making Gage miss it with me.

How the fuck was he even here?

Pieces began to slide together as I traveled further into the darkness, pushing my way through it so I could get back to my kid and boyfriend. Dexter must’ve called him—probably not wanting him to worry. My kid was always so thoughtful, even if he preferred for people not to see that side of him.

He’d gotten that from his mother. His heart worn on his sleeve, no matter how hard he tried to conceal it from the world.

The beeping was getting louder, more distinct. I followed it. Followed the sounds around me and the hand that squeezed mine in a vice grip. I needed to get back to where I belonged. Back to the people I loved.