Page 24 of Something Unavoidable

“Isaac, breathe,” Keegan commanded, climbing to his feet but keeping distance between them. “I think you’re having a panic attack. You need to slow your breathing.”

“Fuck off,” Izzy snapped, turning on Keegan, his eyes wild, his expression a forced version of his usual sneer.

Keegan blinked, thrown by the sudden hostility.

“I don’t want you here. Why can’t you take a hint? Stick with diagnosing animals since you’re shit with people.”

Keegan took a steadying breath, letting a wave of annoyance roll through him, then fade. This wasn’t about him… At least, he didn’t think it was. Whatever it was about, Izzy was panicking and lashing out. It was a defense mechanism—less violent than Sunny’s biting, but equally effective. “Okay. I’m going to let that go, because I can see how upset you are.”

“Whatever,” Izzy muttered, expression shuttering. He flicked a dismissive hand toward the exit. “I don’t care. Just leave me alone.”

Keegan did as he was asked, feeling helpless and like it was the wrong choice.

Halfway back to his truck, he detoured up to the house. No one was there, and he remembered Izzy saying something about them going to the bakery in town for breakfast. He pulled out his phone instead.

Keegan

How long until you get back? Izzy needs you.

Micah

Why? What happened?

Is he okay?

We’re on our way.

Be there in fifteen.

Keegan

I’m not sure. He was reading something on his phone, and I think he may be having a panic attack. He asked me to leave.

Micah

Fuck. Yeah. Sorry if he was an asshole about it. That’s what he does.

Keegan

It’s fine. He was with the rescues when I left.

Micah

Thanks, man. I appreciate it. And thanks for understanding.

Keegan

It’s not a problem. Please tell him I hope he’s feeling better soon.

Keegan tossed his phone on the passenger seat and started the truck, getting the heat going before pulling down the driveway. He’d have to come back later to finish Sunny’s hooves. Hopefully today hadn’t ruined all the progress he’d made—both with Sunny and with Izzy.

Emma had released astatement.

Izzy wanted to vomit. To scream. Break things. Maybe break himself.

He shouldn’t have read it, no matter what Sammy thought. Even all these years later, the guilt was a sledgehammer to the gut.

There was a video too, but he hadn’t watched it. Just seeing Emma’s face in the little box made his heart pound and his throat squeeze until he could hardly force air through it. He hadn’t seen her since the hospital. Even then, he’d been so high on morphine, he didn’t remember much beyond her holding his hand and crying. Hell, he barely remembered his twenty-second birthday thanks to the haze he’d been in those first few weeks, even after he was off the strong drugs.

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