Page 21 of Burning Ember

It’s something they will always do

(chorus)

Heroes rise when danger calls

Breaking through the falling walls

Never stopping till we’re free

Heroes saving you and me

(verse)

Lifting wreckage with their might

Guiding victims to the light

No one left alone to fear

Every hero standing near

(chorus)

Heroes rise when danger calls

Breaking through the falling walls

Never stopping till we’re free

Heroes saving you and me

They’re always saving you and me

JD’s voice blended with the other members of his band in perfect harmony, and the song echoed on the ocean breeze. I could see the fingers of JD’s uninjured hand moving as if he were plucking his bass.

His serene expression as he blended his voice with his bandmates was beautiful. It was an amazing song, and my crew jumped to their feet, clapping and whistling in excitement at our private concert.

We’d likely never experience anything of that sort again. It took my breath away.

After the concert Accidental Fire gave us, the guests slowly broke up, hugging each of the band members as if my crew had known them forever. I appreciated it.

JD hugged his bandmates before he walked to where I was sitting on a mat on the sand, completely mesmerized by the memory of the music and the words that had pierced my soul.

He stopped at the blanket and dropped next to me. “Did you like it?”

“The song? We all loved it.” I couldn’t say a word about the beautiful tribute to the members of Station 2.

We did what we could for those in danger, but having anyone give us a tribute of that sort was out of left field. We’d never forget it, but we’d never be comfortable with it.

“Yeah, uh, we—uh, I—wrote it after Hardy’s funeral. River refined it and set it to music. I wrote another one that I don’t like much, but I’m trying to refine it so it’s not so damn morbid.”

I took his hand, holding it loosely. “It was beautiful, JD. Thank you. That meant a lot to us.”

His smile was incredible, and I couldn’t resist reaching for his neck and pulling him close until our lips met. River continued to play music on the porch, and he and Goldie sang, but I had JD in my arms, and I didn’t want it to stop.

What the hell was I doing? Could anything come of my attraction to JD?

Fuck, I hoped so.