29. Amelia
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
amelia
As soon as the tech’s take Bruno back for emergency surgery, it starts.
The shaking.
The racing thoughts.
The uncontrollable heart rate.
“I, I can’t breathe,” I manage to get out before the room spins around me.
Strong arms keep me from face planting on the floor, guiding me to the nearest chair. Judd squats down in front of me, taking my face between both his hands. I stare into his eyes that are the shade of my new favorite color. “Take a deep breath through your nose and hold it,” he whispers.
“I can’t,” I choke out.
“You can. Breathe with me. In,” he says, inhaling a deep breath through his nose. I do the same, forcing air into my lungs.
“Good. Now, out through your mouth.” His voice is low and soft. He slowly releases his breath, and I copy him.
We repeat the process over and over until I can feel my heart rate slow, but my body still shakes from a mixture of adrenaline and anxiety.
Judd’s thumb traces a path back and forth over my cheeks. I grab onto his wrists, trying to anchor myself. “I can’t lose him, Judd,” I croak, my throat raw. The pain in my body increases now that the adrenaline rush has worn off. My shoulder screams at me. My knees burn and I look down to see my leggings torn and scratches litter my legs, dried blood coating the skin. But I can’t leave Bruno. Not yet. Not until I know he’s okay.
“You won’t.”
“How do you know? There was so much blood, Judd. Too much.”
“He’s a fighter, Mills. He’s going to fight to stay with you.”
“Will you stay with me? I know there are things we need to talk about but–”
“I’m not going anywhere, baby. I’m right here,” he whispers, bringing his forehead to mine. I close my eyes at the contact, releasing his wrists and easing myself into his arms. Wrapping his arms around me, he picks me up and turns us around until he’s sitting in the chair, and I’m curled up in his lap, face pressed into his chest.
He makes slow, soothing circles up and down my back, until I feel myself start to relax. I must drift off because the next thing I know, I’m waking up to the sound of two people talking.
I jolt awake, sitting up in Judd’s lap. “Bruno?” I ask, ignoring the pounding in my head and the intense throbbing in my shoulder.
Bruno’s vet nods and smiles. “He made it through surgery. He was lucky, and the knife missed all the major vessels. I’d like to keep him overnight for observation, but he should be fine to go home tomorrow.”
My body slouches back into Judd with relief. “Can we see him?”
She nods. “Of course. Follow me back.”
I stand from Judd’s lap and hold my hand out to him. “Come with me?”
He takes my hand and follows me through the doors leading to the back. Bruno’s laying in one of the large steel kennels on a pile of blankets, sleeping. There’s a large ace bandage wrapped around his shoulder, chest, and neck.
Sinking to my knees, not caring about the pain, I softly stroke the top of Bruno’s head. His big brown and blue eyes open and he softly whines when he sees me.
“I know, baby. But you’re going to be okay. You just have to stay here for the night and then you’ll be home tomorrow.” Leaning forward, I place a kiss on Bruno’s head. “I love you so much, Bruno. Thank you for saving me,” I whisper. His eyes close again and I take that as our cue to leave.
Judd kneels down when I stand, taking my spot. He whispers something into Bruno’s ear, then gives him a kiss and a pet before getting to his feet. He takes my hand, and we leave the back, making a stop at the desk to make sure they have both our numbers in case anything happens overnight.
I collapse into the passenger seat once we get to the Jeep. Exhaustion overwhelming me. Judd shuts my door and jogs around to his side, climbing in. Turning to me, he takes my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. “Ready to get checked out?”
I roll my head in his direction, face scrunched. “I’m fine,” I lie. All I want to do is go home and sleep.
“Amelia, you look like you went three rounds with a Tasmanian devil. There are scratches all over your hands and face. Your clothes are torn and bloody. And your face–” He pauses, gently touching my chin, turning it one way, then the other. The muscles in my neck scream in pain, making me wince. “See? You’re in pain.”
“I’m fine,” I tell him, brushing his worry off with my hand.
“We’re going to the ER.”
“Judd, I’m fine. It’s nothing rest and some ibuprofen can’t fix.” Lots and lots of ibuprofen, maybe a hot bath.
“It’s not up for discussion, Shortcake. Besides, an officer called while you were sleeping. He’s meeting us at the ER to get a statement and take pictures of your injuries.”
My pulse ticks up, making the pounding in my head increase. The last time I was at the ER was when my depression took a turn for the worst. Judd’s hand slides into mine, pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts. “I’ll be there with you the whole time.”
I nod, squeezing his hand tighter to hide the shake in mine, praying the panic attacks stay at bay.