Page 76 of Free to Believe
As she moves slowly away from Mugsy’s body, I can see he’s still breathing. Em’s frantically pressing kisses to his face. “I love you, baby. I love you so much. I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault.”
And like pieces of a puzzle, her words from last night snap together with these.
Emily believes loving someone means they’re going to get hurt. Fuck—I close my eyes briefly. This isn’t her not wanting love; it’s fear. And even with that, she’s given so much of herself she’s made me fall over the cliff with her.
“Let me take care of him, baby,” I urge her.
“But…”
“I need you to get a blanket, call the nearest vet that’s open. Let them know we’re bringing him in.” Even though I could get it done faster if I left her sitting right here, getting her out of the room and giving her a list of things to do will take her mind off the fact that Mugsy hasn’t opened his eyes once since we’ve been here.
Emily scrambles to her feet. “Right. I’ll be right back, baby. I promised you I’d always take care of you.” Her voice breaks on the last word.
“Em,” I say harshly. Her body snaps to attention. “Go. Now.”
She dashes out the door, leaving me with her beloved pet.
I wait until I hear her on the phone before I lean down and whisper, “You’re probably what saved her heart, Mugsy. I hope you know I love too, buddy, because I think I feel everything in the world for her.”
Just as I finish, Em stumbles back in. “They’re waiting for us.” She rattles off the name and address of a vet near Cisco. “Do you know how to get there?”
Taking the blanket from her, I wrap it around Mugsy, before I heft him into my arms. “Yeah, baby, I do. Get my keys out of my pocket.”
“I can…” she protests.
“There is no way in hell you’re in any condition to drive, Em.” Then I soften my tone. “Besides, you have to be in the back with him.”
“Right.” Reaching over to the bundle in my arms, she kisses his cheek again. “I have to be with my baby boy.”
I close my eyes on the wave of pain emanating from her. “Let’s go.”
* * *
Hours later,we’re still at the vet. They started an IV on Mugsy as soon as we got there. Em’s been curled into my side ever since.
I texted Jenna to see if she can stay at Lynne’s. When she asked why, I told her. She immediately wanted to rush down to the vet. It took a good ten minutes of my fingers flying on the keyboard to convince her that Emily’s in no state to have anyone else around. But there is something I need to ask. Jostling her lightly, I press my lips to her temple. She stirs.
“Baby?”
“Yes?”
“Do you want me to call your family?” I’ve spoken only with Corinna, and only briefly during Jenna’s birthday at that, but if she needs them…
She shakes her head. “After, Jake. I’ll call them…” Her voice breaks off when Dr. Hillman, the emergency veterinarian, comes out.
Too soon.
He squats down in front of Emily and takes her limp hand. My arm tightens around her shoulders.
“Ms. Freeman, I’m so sorry…” I can’t hear the rest of what he’s saying as Emily turns into my shoulder and begins sobbing so hard, I feel every piece of my heart break along with hers.
44
Emily
Mugsy’s gone.
The thought keeps playing over and over through my brain. Not as Jake drives us back to the apartment. Not when he cleans us both off in the shower. Not when I stare blankly at him as he cleans the broken eggs he dropped earlier to come to my rescue. And even when he pries my phone from my numb hands when I try to call my family to tell them, I can’t let go of the thought.
