Page 96 of Taking the Pitch
“Oh, yeah, sure.” I loosen my grip on Amelia’s hand while hers tightens.
“No, he, he can stay.”
“Are you sure, honey? It’ll only be for a few minutes.”
“He didn’t do this, if that’s what you’re thinking. I was attacked in the parking garage of my apartment complex.” Her raspy voice cracks. “My dog was st-stabbed. I was choked. Judd would never do that. He’d never do anything to hurt me.” She ends on a sob.
Her words wash over me, relief flooding my system that she knows I’d never do anything intentional to hurt her.
I run my free hand over her hair gently, bending over to look her in the eyes. “Shhh, Baby,” I croon. “It’s okay, I’m here now. You’re safe.”
Once Amelia’s sobs have subsided to a few shuddering breaths, the nurse hands her a gown and a plastic bag. She tells her to change into the gown and place her clothes in the bag and that the doctor should be in shortly.
After the nurse closes the curtain behind her, Amelia slowly maneuvers to the side of the bed, dangling her feet over. “Do you want me to step out?” I ask, because even though I’ve seen her naked several times, I’m not sure where I stand with her.
“No, please stay,” she whispers, reaching for the hem of her long-sleeved sweater, pulling it up halfway, before she winces in pain, muttering a “Fuck” under her breath.
“Here, let me help,” I tell her, reaching forward and helping her get her sweater off the rest of the way as gently as I possibly can. When she’s finally free, my blood boils at what was hidden by the piece of clothing.
“Jesus Christ, Amelia,” I whisper.
Tiny scrapes and cuts litter the front of her body and there’s a bruise on her shoulder that’s already turning a deep blue and black.
“It looks worse than it feels?”
“It looks like you were laid out by a linebacker on cement with no padding,” I deadpan.
“I’ve never experienced that, but it’s probably an accurate description,” she mutters, trying to pull down her thick, black leggings.
“Here, let me help.” Crouching down, I pull them past her hips. “Sit down and I’ll pull them off the rest of the way.”
Amelia eases herself down on the edge of the bed, letting me pull her leggings down. I try to be as careful as possible with her knees, but they’re pretty beat up and there are still little shards of glass in her skin. Her hisses of breath tell me they’re more painful than she was letting on.
I’m finally able to get the leggings off, leaving Amelia in just her bra and underwear.
“Why are hospitals always so cold?” she asks, rubbing her hands over her arms to get rid of the goosebumps that have appeared before slipping on the hospital gown that swallows her body.
“I read somewhere that bacteria thrive in warmer environments so they keep it on the colder side to slow down the growth and spread of it.”
The first smile I’ve seen cross her beautiful face appears, making my breath hitch. I could have lost her tonight. I could have lost her, and she never would have known how I feel about her. I’ve hinted and suggested, but never flat out told her I love her in fear she would run. That changes tonight. Not here, obviously. But when we get home. I’m laying everything out on the table.
I just hope she feels the same.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
amelia
By the timepictures are taken of all my various injuries, my knees are debrided, wounds cleaned and bandaged, CT scan taken of not only my shoulder, but my headandI’ve given my statement to the officer that came to the hospital, I’m exhausted.
The doctor said I have to be screen free for at least a week due to my mild concussion and no driving for at least that long, longer if I’m still experiencing symptoms. My shoulder has a deep bone bruise and mild swelling in the joint space, which is why it’s hard for me to lift it up. They gave me a sling to wear when I’m up walking so as not to aggravate it. My voice will be hoarse for a few days while my neck and throat recover from the trauma of being choked.
Basically, I’m a hot mess, but it could have been worse. So much worse. And on a good note, I didn’t have a single anxiety attack. I completely expected to have at least one, since being here brought back a lot of hazy memories from my past. I think having Judd by my side the entire time helped keep them at bay.
“Are you going to tell Hazel and Charlie?” Judd asks from the driver’s seat of his Jeep.
I sigh. “I will tomorrow. I don’t want to answer any more questions tonight. Besides, if Charlie found out, she’d fly right back home, and she deserves this vacation. So, if I wait until tomorrow, she’ll already be on the cruise ship by then.”
Judd’s mouth quirks. “You know she’s going to be pissed. Not only at you, but at me for not contacting her.”
