16. Rescue Mission
Chapter 16
Rescue Mission
Dev
Another day, another win for the Lightning. I was flying high on the ice after the game, but now that the adrenaline has won off, the ache has set into my left side. I had to hand out some pretty tough set downs to our opponents and my arm is feeling the brunt of the punishing hits.
Coach gave us the morning off training to recover before our next game, so the guys are celebrating a little harder than usual during the season. I lift my cola to take a sip, but my mouth stretches in a huge yawn.
Beau has had a few, but he’s not too sloppy. Still keeping things under control as the captain.
“How are you doing?” He leans closer, so I can hear him over the noise of the crowded bar.
“Pretty wiped. Might head out.”
He nods. “I’d come with, but someone has to keep an eye on these jokers. Take my car. I’ll call for a ride later.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. All I really want right now is a quiet room to recover in with some ice for my shoulder and a book.
“Sure you don’t want to come with? They’re all adults. They can look after themselves.”
As if to prove me wrong, there’s a loud clatter as Grant knocks over a glass of beer, and JJ laughs hysterically as he’s trying to sop it up with the shirt he whipped off.
Beau grimaces. “Nah, I’ll look after this disaster scene. Make sure it doesn’t escalate. Coach would take my C if I let that happen.”
I nod, trying not to visibly wince as I stretch my arms over my head.
Beau’s ringtone pierces the air as I’m pushing up from my seat, but he doesn’t silence it like I thought he would.
“Cece? What’s the matter? Slow down.” His shoulders are tense and he’s speaking clearly again. Sobered up by whatever the emergency is.
My heart leaps out of my chest, leaving me breathless. What’s wrong? Is she sick?
“Okay, okay. It’s going to be okay.”
“It’s okay. It’ll be fine. I promise. But I can’t come right now.”
I’m so focused on his conversation, the sounds of the bar fade away.
“I’ve been drinking. I know. But maybe. Give me a sec. ”
He pulls the phone away from his ear, and my leg is bouncing as I lean toward him, but he places it back.
“Hang on. I’m not ditching you. I’m just going to ask someone else. I’ll be right back.”
Beau slides the mouthpiece away, leaning toward me. “Dev, can you drive Cece to the vet? Her guinea pigs are sick and she’s freaking out. You’re the only sober one here. If it’s too much, I can send an Uber for her. I know you’re not so fond of rodents.”
“Yes. Of course.” My entire body eases up a little at the news that Cece is not hurt or sick. The things that flashed through my mind weren’t pretty. She could have been attacked, lying hurt in the middle of nowhere, burst appendix, intruder to her house. At least she’s safe. I’m sure she’s freaking out, and I feel for her, but selfishly I’m glad it’s not her that’s sick.
“If it’s too much...”
“It’s not. On my way.” I’m pushing past JJ to slide out of the booth before he can finish the thought. JJ stumbles and falls to the ground when I shove him, but I ignore his complaint, reaching over the table to snatch Beau’s keys.
“Thanks so much, man. I owe you one. Let me know how it goes. I’m not sure she’s going to be up for calling me. She loves those little creatures.”
He doesn’t owe me anything. I’m doing this for her.
“Hey wait. You need her address?”
“Got it.” I have been there after all. No need for him to be suspicious about why I remember where she lives .
I push Beau’s fancy ride a little faster than is wise to get to her house. The streetlights are lit up, and the houses all look the same. It might have been hard to identify which one was hers if she wasn’t standing on the porch glancing anxiously up the street. I wish I could have been there sooner for her.
She recognizes Beau’s car as soon as I swerve into the driveway and rushes back into the house to emerge a moment later with a plastic cat carrier.
I leave the car running but jump out to open the passenger door for her.
“Dev,” she says, sounding surprised.
“You, okay? What’s wrong with them?”
She settles into the seat, pulling the carrier on her lap, but doesn’t bother with her seatbelt.
I don’t start backing out.
“Hurry, we’ve got to go.”
“Need to do up your seatbelt.” I reach over her and the big container in her lap to grab the belt, pulling it carefully across her, weaving it around the carrier to snap into place. I know she’s upset, but I would not be able to handle it if anything happened and she got hurt.
The streetlights highlight her tear-streaked face when she turns to me with a pleading look.
“What’s the address?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. The only emergency vet that takes small animals is an hour’s drive. I hope that’s okay?”
“Of course. ”
She grabs my phone, punching in the address, and I peel out of the driveway, neck stretched back to do a shoulder check.
“So, what happened?”
The adrenaline from the game had just released me from its clutches when Beau got the call, and it ramped right back up to a hundred.
“They’re not breathing properly. It’s my fault. They both seemed a little listless earlier, but I’ve been so busy working with Anna that I didn’t really pay attention. I should have taken them to the vet right away. Guinea pigs are really susceptible to respiratory infections. They could die, and it would be all my fault.”
“No, it wouldn’t. I know you take good care of them.”
She shakes her head, clearly not buying my line. “Anyway, it started getting worse. Rogue was gasping for air. They breathe through their noses; they’re not supposed to breathe through their mouths like that. Gambit wasn’t even moving. I didn’t know what to do. Georgia was on a date, and Anna and Blake are at a concert tonight. I didn’t have anyone else to call.”
“You could have called me first. I would have found a way to come for you.”
She sniffles as we stop at a red light, and I turn to see her swiping a shaky hand across her cheek. “Even though this is secret? What if Beau found out?”
I shrug, stepping on the gas as the light turns green. “He told me to be available to you if you needed anything. This wouldn’t be a surprise for him .
“Oh. Right.” Is she disappointed? Is it bothering her we’re keeping this thing between us a secret? What am I even doing? She deserves to be shown off, not hidden away in a corner.
“I’m sorry.” I’m tapping an anxious rhythm on the steering wheel, and I fall silent for a few minutes, but I can’t stand the soft sniffles. I’d do anything to distract her from her fear.
“How’s the novel coming?”
“What?”
“How’s it coming? I’d love to see more of the story.”
“Um. We finished another few chapters. Annie and I work surprisingly well together.”
She’s tentative and distracted, but the conversation keeps her mind off her worry for the rest of the drive and that’s a win in my book.
But as soon as we slide into a parking spot at the well-lit vet’s office, she’s climbing out of the car, struggling with the large container.
I’m glad to see there’s only one other anxious looking woman in the waiting room when we get there. She reluctantly lets me grab the carrier from her, holding it carefully while she talks to the receptionist, and fills out the paperwork.
I place the plastic box on the counter to peer in at the little creatures. An automatic shiver runs down my back when I see the little rodents, but as soon as it passes, I feel sorry for them. They’re both lying there, mouths open, and I can hear their breathing. That can’t be a good thing. Cece loves these little things, and if I’m going to be in her life, I think I’m going to have to learn to love them too .
“Hey,” I say, poking a finger into one of the holes in the side to touch the soft fur. I’m not sure which one is which, but it doesn’t even blink at me. I really hope the vet can help them. The thought of Cece suffering is causing an ache in my own chest.
She slides her small, chilly hand into mine after we settle into some chairs to wait for the vet to call us in.
“Hey, we’re here now. It’s going to be okay.”
“I hope so.” Her breath catches on the words, and silent tears are streaming down her face again.
I’m not great with sick people, with crying girls. The only emotions allowed in my house growing up were fear and anger. But I’ve got to do something, so I reach over, sliding an arm around her shoulder and dipping down to plant a kiss on her head. I think it’s the right thing to do. She leans into my touch, shoulders giving the occasional shudder.
The vet finally makes her way out to see us, walking right up.
“Cecelia, let’s get these guys into the exam room to see what’s up.”
When I don’t rise from my seat, she grabs my hand, pulling me with her. “Come with me. Please?”
I would never say no to her, so I unfold myself from the uncomfortable waiting room charge and follow the two ladies into the exam room.
As soon as we walk down the sterile hallway, I get anxious, feeling a little lightheaded. I’ve had to deal with my fair share of injuries playing hockey, but I’ve never gotten used to being in hospital settings. I don’t even remember visiting my mom in the hospital before she passed away. I was too young, or I blocked it from my memory, but it must be imprinted in my memory. That fear of watching someone you love fade away. Not even old enough to understand what was going on.
My breath is coming faster, and I realize I’ve missed out on the entire conversation between Cece and the vet.
Her pets look so helpless, lying there too still and tiny on the stainless-steel table. Why am I even afraid of them? They’re so small, helpless. Granted, they’ve got some weird teeth, but they’re not out to get me. I need to get over that shit.
“Okay, I’m going to run some fluids into them and get them checked out. All signs point to pneumonia, but I’ll do some tests to confirm and start them on a round of antibiotics. It would probably be best to keep them overnight. Then if all goes well, you can take them home in the morning and start administering the rest of the course of antibiotics yourself.”
“Okay.” Cece nods. “Are they going to...” She stumbles over the words.
“You did good bringing them in right away. There’s a high probability they’ll pull through with the correct treatment, but this is the most crucial time.”
I get it, but I hate how doctors have to hedge their words and not make promises. And I really hate seeing Cece on the verge of tears with worry.
“You should probably head home for the night and get some rest. I can call you if there are any changes. ”
Cece shakes her head vigorously. “No. I don’t want to go. Can I stay here and wait?”
“You can.”
“Good.”
At least the vet is kind. She’s a young woman with an understanding look in her brown eyes. Her black hair is pulled up in a bun, and she talks in a soothing tone. She reaches a hand out to pat Cece on the shoulder.
I grab Cece’s hand, squeezing it as we make our way back to the waiting room.
“You can go. I’ll call Beau to pick me up when they’re ready to go in the morning.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I say, but I reach into my pocket to grab my phone. “Just going to give your brother an update.
She nods, dropping her head onto my shoulder.
It rings a few times before Beau’s sleepy voice comes on the line. “Hello.”
“It’s Dev, just wanted to give you an update.”
“How’s Cece?” he asks, sounding a little more alert.
“She’s okay. The guinea pigs probably have pneumonia. The vet’s going to keep them overnight, so we’re going to stay here if that’s okay. I’ll bring your car home in the morning.”
“Yeah, no problem. If you’d rather, I can Uber out there and you can drive my car home. You can pick us up in the morning or we can grab another ride home.”
I know he’s being nice and trying to do the brotherly thing, but it sets my teeth on edge. I’m the one who needs to be here for her. Comforting her. Even if it isn’t exactly my place. “Nah, I’m good.”
“If you’re sure.” I can hear him yawning through the line.
“I’m sure.”
“Okay, can I talk to Sissy for a sec?”
The childhood nickname slips out of his mouth so easily.
I hand the phone to her, and she grabs it with her right hand, leaving her left entwined with mine. I give it a squeeze to reminder her I’m here for her.
“Yeah. I think so,” she says, swallowing hard.
“Uh, huh.”
“No, I’m good. Thanks for offering.”
“I’ll let you know.”
I don’t know what her brother would do if he saw the way I was staring at his sister, but I don’t think it would be good. I should end this before it gets more complicated, but I’ve got to be here for her now. No matter what. She needs me. Or someone, and I happen to be here.
“Okay, I’ll call you tomorrow. Love you.”
Her smile is tentative, and her pretty blue eyes are still glistening, but she looks a little better now.
“Bye.”
She hangs up, handing my cell back to me, and drops her head back on my shoulder. I slide an arm up hers, pulling her head in for another kiss. Her hair is soft and silky under my lips, and she fits there perfectly. Like she was meant to be there. But that’s wishful thinking. I’m not good enough for her, and I never will be. I may have the privilege of borrowing her love for a time, but I’m not worthy of it on a permanent basis.