Page 12 of Maybe, Probably (Love Me, Maybe #1)

“It shouldn’t take too long, no longer than two hours.

Like I said before these quills don’t seem to be too embedded so I don’t think it will take me too long to remove them all successfully.

I’ll send you home with some antibiotics and something for the pain.

” His eyes focused on his tablet, his finger moving along the screen.

“My assistant will go over all of this with you before you take him home for the day. I’m just going to go back and get everything sorted out.

Someone will be back to come and get Winnie. Do you have any other questions?”

I shake my head. I look down at Winnie, and feel the prickle of tears starting at the back of my eyes. I look up at the ceiling, blinking rapidly trying to clear it away.

Clearing my throat, “No. Uh, actually. Is there additional paperwork or anything I need to fill out?”

“Yes, there will be a consent form for you to sign. One of my techs will come with the forms for you to sign, then they’ll take the big guy back to get him prepped. You can stay in the waiting room while we’re working on him.”

I nod my head, while carefully scratching Winnie’s ear.

“Than—” I’m cut off by the click of the door. I realize that he just left the room without a word.

“Well, okay then.” I take a few deep breaths and continue to give Winnie attention until he inevitably gets taken back for surgery.

I signed the forms that were given to me and was redirected to the waiting area.

I couldn’t imagine myself leaving the vet while Winne was being worked on.

Plus, we live out of town, so it doesn’t really make sense.

An hour later, I start to get stir-crazy. I was able to pass some time answering work emails, but now, the silence is uncomfortable. I pull up Evie’s number and hit the call button.

“Hey babes! I was actually just thinking about you! I was going to see if you wanted to go out for drinks tonight!” The happy-go-lucky chimes of my favorite human instantly calm my nerves.

“Honestly? After the day that I’ve had, that sounds fantastic.” I huff as I run my fingers through my hair.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh God, where do I even begin? First, I went out to Sailors Point. I’ve been working with Winnie on his off leash training, and it’s the first time we’ve done it outside of the backyard.

I can only do it so many times in the backyard before we have to actually try it out in public, you know?

He’s been doing so well, and we were on our way back down.

But out of nowhere, he takes off, and then I hear him yelp.

So I race over to find him, and his poor face is covered in porcupine quills. ”

I hear a gasp come from Evie before I continue.

“So, I got him in the car, and looked up the closest vet. Thankfully, they could see him right away. I’m sitting there in the exam room and you would not even fathom a guess on who comes through the staff door to check out Winnie’s face.”

She’s silent for a minute. “Okay, spill, bitch! Don’t keep me waiting.”

I huff a laugh, “No one other than the hot brother of Dalton’s new boo.”

“Shut. The. Fuck. Up.”

“Oh, but it gets better. Me being in the absolute shocked state that I was, stood up to shake his hand and introduce myself. Well, I flipping trip over Winnie and go down. Not only do I fall into him, but he catches me before I face plant onto the ground. And as I was falling down, I threw my hands forward at an attempt to catch myself but ended up copping a feel of the guy's junk. Evie, it was so embarrassing and he was so short with me. I think I totally offended him.” At this point I’m leaning forward with my elbows resting on my knees.

One hand holding my phone, the other holding up my head as I look at my feet.

There is silence, and I check my phone to see if it’s still connected. Then all of a sudden I hear a snort, followed by a roar of laughter. “You… yo—.” There’s a brief pause for more snorts to escape then she continues, “Shut the fuck up.” More laughter follows.

I give her a minute before I finally say something. “Yeah, yeah. I know. I don’t even think I could ever look him in the face again. I’m hoping that his assistant comes to let me know how everything goes.”

I stay on the phone with Evie, and she does her best to keep me distracted. She’s actually doing a great job too. She even got me laughing a few times too.

“Miss Beckett?”

“Evie, I gotta go. I’ll text you.” I don’t give her a chance to reply, and hang up so I can focus my attention on the lady in scrubs in front of me.

“Hi, yes that’s me! Sorry about that. How is he?” I start to wring my fingers nervously.

She gives me a small smile, “We were able to successfully get all the quills out. He is having a little trouble coming out of anesthesia. It’s nothing to worry about, but he’s a bit more sluggish than we would like. So, we would like to keep him overnight.”

“What does that mean? Is he going to be ok?” I feel my chest starting to tighten, anxiety starting to claw at me.

“Oh yes, we have no concerns that he won’t come out of this!

It’s just precautionary, we have a staff who stays overnight and keeps an eye on them.

And Dr. Hawthorne lives on the property if there are any emergencies.

I want to assure you, I don’t have the slightest concern that we’re going to need to call him. ”

The tightness starts to ease in my chest a bit; the fact that they have a staff who stays overnight is comforting.

I know he won’t be left alone all night.

The assistant works with me to sort everything out, and we go over the bill before I pay for everything.

I say a silent goodbye to the chunk of money leaving my bank account.

They let me go back to say goodnight to Winnie, assuring me that he will be fine for the night.

He was asleep when I went in there, surely sleeping off the remainder of the drugs in his system, but he looked good.

I feel comfortable enough to leave and head home.

I text Evie giving her the update, and finalising our plans to meet at O’Shays, one of the local bars we have.

It’s one that Evie and I always go to when we need a girls night.

It has karaoke on Fridays, and the drinks are amazing.

It’s like a hidden gem in the city and I absolutely love it because it doesn’t get crazy busy.

And after the day that I’ve had, I totally need a drink… or three.