Okay guys, because Halle threatened me with no caramel(le gasp, the horror!!) and because of all these WONDERFUL new readers(WBF--I'm going to the Charlotte concert too!! Awesomeee), here is the new chapter. I told Adri that I was going to try and edit it a little bit, but psh...I totally lied. Please enjoy!! -Bri
Chapter 18
I cursed furiously, so grateful that Skylar wasn’t around to hear my foul language as Joe, Kevin, Nick, Steven and I wrestled with Brutus. I’d gotten close enough to slip a muzzle around his nose, distracting him for a split second as Steven clamped off his leg, popping the prominent vein. I prayed desperately as I slipped the needle beneath the skin, injecting the sedative. I really hated this dog and he’d given us quite a fight tonight, leaving me sweating and swearing like a sailor. Joe, looking impressed, had commented on my vocabulary. Grinning, I’d answered, “To be routinely attacked by animals, you have to know how to swear and do it well”. That philosophy had come in handy, when, at one point, he’d clamped his jaw around my elbow and I’d honestly thought he was going to break it as he bit down. I’d stayed calm, more or less, and, with Steven’s help, had pried his jaws off, taking the moment to slip on the muzzle. So here we were, five grown adults lying across a 120(ish) pound Pit Bull, splayed across the floor of the tiny exam room.
“Don’t move, Brutus!” I was practically sitting on his head as he tried his hardest to rip me apart. Steven had a giant hand clamped over the muzzle as he twisted his body underneath us. Finally, the sedative began to take effect and he laid back on the floor, relaxing slightly as he drifted into a medicated unconsciousness.
Yelping as my shoulder popped, I stood up and stretched, bending backwards until my hair that normally reached mid-back almost brushed the floor. Joe watched me, a horrified look on his angelic face.
Steven grinned at me and we commented together, “Now that ain’t right.” His Southern accent influenced mine and the stunned looks on the guys faces was priceless. I leaned over to the counter, grabbing a thermometer and syringe, while the three Jonas guys stood back, letting me work. While Steven took Brutus’s temp, I gave him his vaccinations, both of us working as quickly as we could. It was clear that neither of us trusted the dog, and with good reason. I had always thought that with extensive training, starting when he was a tiny puppy, Brutus could have been a sweet dog, but now…sadly, I had the feeling it was too late.
“He’s waking up, Allie.” Steven warned as Brutus started to twitch and I quickly drew some blood, setting it on the counter, as the big dog protested slightly. A low rumbling emitted from his chest and I quickly motioned for everyone else to leave the room. Joe, Steven and Kevin didn’t need telling twice, but Nick hesitated. Brutus started to snarl and I quickly grabbed Nick’s wrist, dragging him out of the room with me. I turned to Mr. Chloe, Brutus’s owner, who stood behind me. He was a small, timid man, and it was apparent that his wife was the nastier one of the two, even though I’d never taken the time to get to know either of them.
“I think Brutus is waking up now, so you can go see him now.” I let him go into the room, standing back. As soon as he had closed the door behind him, I leaned against the counter, glancing down at my coat, noting the blood-soaked sleeve. My elbow had overwhelmed my senses in a sort of hazy, numb pain. Using my good arm, I slid it to the ground, pulling up my sleeve. It was obvious where Brutus’s teeth had ripped my skin, but I didn’t think it was anything serious. As far as I could tell, no damage had been done, since I could still feel my elbow, as well as flex it. I went over to one of the exam tables in the back. It was basically a giant sink with a plastic grate over it. I rinsed over my wound with the hose, and then reached over for the hydrogen peroxide. I hissed as it made contact with my skin. I checked it over, exploring gently. The cuts weren’t deep, thankfully, but painful. Reaching into one of the cabinets that lined the walls, I pulled down the bandage box, winding the cotton around my arm quickly. I easily made what was basically a giant, fluffy Band-Aid.
“You okay?” Nick stood beside me and I turned to smile softly at him.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” I stepped closer and he gently slid his arms around my waist as I leaned my head against his chest. I inhaled happily and closed my eyes, relishing the feeling of being in his grasp. “I really hate that dog.” My words were muffled as I spoke them into his shirt, but he caught my meaning. He laughed and the sound echoed in his chest, making me smile. I propped my chin against his chest, leaning into his embrace, my gaze tracing his face. I stood on my tiptoes, bringing my mouth softly to his. His arms tightened around my waist and I forced myself not to collapse against him. Wow, I never got tired of kissing this boy.
“Cut it out, guys; this place is supposed to be sterile.” I glared at Joe, who smiled sweetly in return. Sighing, I stayed close to Nick, hugging him closely.
“Hey Allie,” Steven poked his head around the corner. “Julie’s on the phone.” He tossed me the slim cell phone across the room and I barely caught it, thanking the hundreds of violent cats who had perfected the reflexes that kept me from shattering the phone.
“Hey Jules,” I refused to stray from Nick’s arms, holding the phone to my ear. “You’re going to be mad at me. It was my weekend to get Brutus; I’m at the clinic now.”
She howled with laughter, the sound echoing through the line. “Where’s Skylark? Do you need me to come pick her up…wait, are you okay? I know that Steven came in to help you, but…” She trailed off, letting me get a word in.
I answered her questions in the order that she had phrased them, winking at Nick. “Skylar’s with Denise” –Julie had met Nick’s mother several times when we were in college and then, later, vet school and liked her almost as much as I did- “so I think she’s probably fine and,” I twisted so I could see my elbow, “Brutus was in fine form today.”
She hissed in sympathy. “Is anything broken?”
I cradled the phone in-between my shoulder and ear, using my hand to gently feel my bandage. “I think I’m okay. He slashed my elbow pretty well, but that’s it. Nick, Joe and Kevin helped to restrain him.”
Julie laughed again; a free, flowing sound that seemed as natural as talking for her. “Okay, as long as you’re still alive.” I glanced toward the room where I could hear Mr. Chloe talking to Brutus and Brutus actually listening…at least, he wasn’t tearing anything apart.
“Give it time, Jul, they haven’t left yet.” I flipped the phone shut, handing it back to Steven. “Here; she’s coming in?” He shrugged and I sighed, not in the mood to continue working. “I’ll be right back.” I promised Nick, slipping from his grasp.
I went outside, standing behind the building, almost instantly satisfying my craving for nicotine. I could almost feel my lungs rotting as I inhaled, but my need was stronger than the consequences. Sitting on the steps, I looked out over the back of the property, sighing quietly. One of our hospitalized dogs barked loudly, the sound echoing in the concrete enclosure, the sound, even through the wall, making me wince. Sighing, I dropped the butt of the cigarette, grinding it under my heel. The highway in front of the clinic was peppered with cars and some of the more friendly drivers waved to me as they went by. I grinned and returned the gesture, marveling at the kindness of complete strangers. I giggled as one of the drivers honked cheerfully as they drove past. As the echo from the noise started to fade, I heard the crunch of gravel as it moved with someone’s footsteps. Turning, I saw Kevin, cautiously approaching.
“Hey Kev,” I scooted over on the step, patting the place beside me. He took the seat and stared out at the road, setting his muscled arms on his knees, the position one of deep thought.
“What’s up, Alls?” His tone wasn’t accusatory, the phrase being a simple greeting. As I opened my mouth to respond, the wind kicked up, blowing my hair across my mouth, snatching the words. Kevin made a face. “You smell like smoke.” I simply glared at him, brushing the hair out of my face.
“Thanks.” Silence fell between us again and I sighed softly, causing Kevin to look up at me. “Have you ever felt like, you know what to do, but it’s hard to do it?” He pondered his answer carefully, weighing his words.
“Are you talking about Nick?” I was shocked; how had he known? He laughed, seeing my expression. “Allie, you and Nick have been doing this on-off thing for over ten years; it doesn’t take a genius to figure out what you’re thinking.” He paused and continued, “I know you’re about to ask me what to do and the only thing I can say is…do what’s right for you and Skylar.” He shrugged. “Whether that means with Nick or without him; with me and Joe or without us…just do it, All.”
There are very few times that I have ever considered kissing Kevin Jonas…now was one of them. “Thanks Kev.” I whispered, sighing as he left me to my thoughts.
