Page 86 of Taking the Pitch
“No, Judd’s the only man she seems to take to. She still tucks her tail when Jeremy walks up to her, even though he’s been handling her for months. Ruby’s been in our program the longest. All the other dogs that came through with Ruby have been adopted. Mainly by the families of kids who were previously in RUFF.”
Julie’s polite smile turns appreciative at my boyfriend. “Judd seems to have that effect on women, both two and four legged.”
Hold the fuck up.
Judd clears his throat and looks at his watch. “The kids will be here soon, so we should probably get through a few more questions before our time is up.”
“Of course,” Julie says with a giggle. She peers down at her paper, then back up at me, slipping her professional smile back into place. “Amelia, you’ve made quite a successful career for yourself as a romance author. What inspired you to help children specifically? You don’t write kid appropriate books.”
I fidget with Bruno’s leash, and he pushes into me further, trying to ease my discomfort. I knew there would be questions about me and what inspired RUFF, it’s just never easy to talk about it.
“I grew up an only child and had a tough time in school making friends. I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety when I was a teenager. Reading was my escape and a love I shared with both of my parents.” I pause and take a breath. Judd’s hand covers mine, giving it a quick squeeze, easing the pinch in my chest. “I lost them the day after my 21st birthday.”
“I did read that in an article when I was doing some background on you. I’m so sorry. They were killed by a drunk driver, right?”
I nod, my throat tightening. I feel Judd’s body turn ridged beside me. I know I should have told him sooner, but I don’t like repeating it, so it’s better getting it out now.
I’ll apologize to him later.
“They, uh, were hit head on. Killing them both instantly. The driver walked away with minor injuries. It was his second DUI in four years. He’s currently serving 40 years in prison, with no chance of parole.” My hand starts to tremble and Bruno whines, pushing into me.
“Maybe we should stop for the day? Finish the questions some other time?” Judd suggests.
I scoot closer to him, trying to draw strength from him. “No. I’m okay. I can do this,” I tell him. Julie looks between us with raised eyebrows, shock, then realization crosses her face.
Yeah, lady, he’s mine.
Taking a breath, I continue, just wanting to get this over with. “A while after that, one of my therapists suggested writing down my thoughts. Those thoughts became short stories, then books. One of my professors suggested I enter a contest with my writing. And I won.” I leave out the part where I tried to take my own life. That’s not something I’m ready to disclose to a complete stranger, especially one who would want to write about it. Plus, it’s not fair to Judd to hear about it this way. “I found my love for books again, and when Gladys and Irene approached me to save their children’s program, I jumped in with both feet. Books have always been my safe place and if I can offer that for children who need it, then at least some good will come out of my tragedy.”
“That’s such an inspiring story,” Julie says with sincerity. “And the fact that you’re with Judd after he was charged with thevery thing that took your parents?” She shakes her head. “I don’t know if I could do it.”
What?
I leap up from the couch and turn to Judd. His face is in utter despair.
“No,” I whisper. “Tell me it’s not true.”
“Mills,” he says, holding up his hands like I’m a feral animal he’s trying to calm.
“Don’tfucking call me that,” I bite out, taking a step back.
“Oh my god, you didn’t know.” I hear Julie whisper in the silence.
I look around to see Jeremy, Gladys, and Irene all staring at me with varying levels of shock. I suck it a breath, then another one.
I can’t breathe. No, not now. PLEASE not now.
I take another step back, then another.
“Amelia!” Judd shouts as I turn around and run as fast as I possibly can out the back of the library and out to the parking lot, immediately getting drenched in the downpour. I dig the key out of my pocket and hit the unlock button. I open the front door and command Bruno in. He jumps in and quickly jumps into the back, like he knows I need to be as far away from here as quickly as I can.
“AMELIA!”
I take one last look over my shoulder and see Judd standing at the door. His hands are gripping the frame so tight I can see his knuckles turn white from here.
“Amelia, please let me explain.”
I shake my head and climb into the driver’s seat, letting the tears fall freely down my face. I see Judd start down the steps and I quickly turn the car on and pull out of the parking lot. I watch in my rearview as he runs after my car for a bit before falling back, realizing I’m not stopping.
