Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
The firemen arrived at just the right time. Before he left the building, he grabbed his passport, keys to his car, and a few other papers.
The fire was spreading fast, and he guessed they were the last out. Blakely clamored over the rail and onto the extended ladder with the help of the firemen.
Jump moved onto the ladder easily and moved fast, but not so fast that he ran over Blakely. He was thankful to see her on the ground. He had his phone, his passport, but not much else.
His personal Glock, his clothes, all his shit would probably be gone. It wasn’t worth getting upset over. He had content insurance, so at least he would get some money to replace the things the fire and smoke took.
With his feet on solid ground, they were led over to a waiting ambulance. The EMTs were there with oxygen.
“I’m okay,” Jump said.
“Sir, I have to insist you get some oxygen. We’ll let you walk if your blood oxygen level is high enough.”
He sat next to Blakely, who already had an oxygen mask on. She put her hand on his leg, giving it a good squeeze, sending a thrill straight through him.
“Aren’t we pathetic?”
His chuckle ended in coughing. He guessed he wasn’t doing as good as he thought.
“Speak for yourself.”
“At least I’m an exciting first date.”
More laughter bubbled up, which caused more coughing. The EMTs shot them both a nasty look. He raised his hands apologetically.
“Sorry.”
“Cool it, so we don’t have to take you to the hospital.”
“Yes, sir,” Jump said.
They sat in the hot seat as they sucked down oxygen, making sure they weren’t going to die. The EMT told him his blood oxygen still needed to go up before they let him leave.
Jump needed to send a note to his commander. He’d been putting it off, but it was time. His apartment was gone. He was sure it had nothing to do with him, basically because Blakely had a reason to suspect Grayson had done this.
The text went through, and because it was the middle of the night, he wasn’t expecting any type of response. His phone rang, and he answered. The EMT shot him a sour look.
“Sir, I’m okay.”
“Jump, you need to go to the hospital.”
“I’m fine.”
“No way. You’re an important part of a very important unit. I need you to be checked out. That’s an order.”
He knew what orders meant. It wasn’t something he could ignore. “Yes, sir. I will go get checked out.”
“I’ll inform your team.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Do you need a place for the night? I can get you in at the barracks.”
His phone buzzed. It was Wave, offering up his place since he was leaving town in the morning.
“I’m good. I guess you already sent that note to the team. Wave offered up his place. He’ll be out of town for a while.”
“Good. Take the day or maybe the week off. I’ll see you in a few.”
“Thank you, sir. I’ll keep you updated on how things are going.”
He ended the call, and the EMT moved to stand in front of him. “Let me guess, your CO told you to go to the hospital.”
“You’re going to the hospital?” Blakely asked.
He nodded. “It was an order.”
She pointed to his hair and beard. “Ah, I didn’t take you for the military type.”
He shrugged. “I guess I don’t really look the part.”
“You don’t.”
The EMTs removed their masks and asked Blakely if she wanted to go to the hospital. She shook her head. “No, thank you.”
The EMT turned to him. “Which hospital?”
“I’m military. I’ll—”
Multiple cars pulled up, and he saw T, Cy, and Foster. The guys headed his way.
“I’ll get a ride with my buddies. I’ll be fine until I get to the hospital.”
“Okay, just need you to sign some papers stating that you didn’t want us to drive you.”
“Got it.”
Blakely stood and wiped off her hands and her pants. “I guess that’s my cue to leave.”
“Wait,” Jump said, knowing that asking this question was stupid, but that wasn’t going to stop him. “Where will you stay?”
She looked at the apartment building and shrugged. “I guess I’m homeless. I don’t know where I’ll stay.”
“Listen, why don’t you stay with me at my friend’s place? He has an extra bedroom and will be gone for a few weeks, maybe a month. It will give you time to figure a few things out.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Me staying at your place didn’t go so well the first time, are you sure you want me around?”
“Come on. It can’t be worse than this.”
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Those are famous last words.”
“Dammit, Jump. Did you burn the place down?” T asked as he moved closer.
“No, I didn’t do that. This is Blakely. She’s staying with me for a while.”
The guys smiled and shook Blakely’s hand, telling her it was nice to meet her. They were all nice to Blakely, but he could tell they didn’t know why he was having Blakely stay with him. Heck, he didn’t know why he was having her stay with him, but it seemed like the right thing to do.
“Let’s get you to the hospital,” T said.
“The commander texted us, telling us to take you to the hospital.”
“Great. I’m fine, but sure, I’ll go.”
“Damn straight you’ll go,” T said.
They moved away from the ambulance, and he saw there were other ambulances with EMTs helping people. This fire was a clusterfuck. So many people had their lives turned upside down.
He didn’t know anyone else in his apartment community.
He hadn’t been here long, and he wasn’t the type of guy who hung out with his neighbors.
He did feel bad for them. Their lives would be disrupted.
He was lucky because he had a place to go.
His stuff would be replaced, and in a year, it would be like none of this happened.
He glanced over and saw Blakely. She was a surprise. There was just something about her he couldn’t put his fingers on. She hadn’t mentioned to his friends that the fire had probably been set by someone she knew. But she did keep up a running set of comments.
T was driving, and Blakely critiqued his turns. When they stopped at a light, T caught his gaze in the mirror and rolled his eyes.
“You’re a lot,” T said.
“I’m not a lot. Trust me, I’m just right. But I can drive better than you.”
“Do you critique everything?” T asked.
Blakely sat back. “Only when I’m nervous.”
Jump turned in his seat. “What are you nervous about?”
She spread her arms wide. “What is there not to be nervous about after what happened?”
T glanced over his shoulder. “What is she talking about?”
Jump blew out a breath. “Do you want to tell him, or do you want me?”
Blakely moaned from the back seat. T pulled into the hospital lot and cut the engine then turned to face him.
“Someone has to tell me something,” T said.
“A guy who has been looking for me showed up at my place. He broke in. That’s how I met your buddy, Jump. Which, what’s up with that name? Who names their kid Jump?”
“A monster,” T said.
Jump gasped. “How could you say that about my mommy?”
“Wait, your name really is Jump? Like your parents named you Jump?”
He shook his head. “No, my name is Jesse. Jesse Boulton. Jump is my nickname. T is his. Cy and Foster are behind us.”
Blakely nodded. “Well, Blakely is my real name. Last name Masters.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Blakely Masters,” T said. “Now then, let’s get this guy into the hospital. You can tell me whatever you needed to tell me once we’re inside.”
Jump got out of the car, and waited for Blakely to climb out, too.
He could see the exhaustion was wearing on her.
They’d be a few hours here. Hopefully she could get some sleep in the waiting room.
His buddies wouldn’t leave until they knew he was okay, which meant they wouldn’t leave Blakely alone.
She would be safe from Grayson, at least for a little while.