Page 21 of Absolution

Yes, most people say paw, but not everyone has a Doc. I yank my cell back out and look for a local veterinarian and click the first one on the list. I haul Doc into my arms to carry her, hoping she doesn't injure herself worse.

"I'm sorry, girl." She whimpers, killing my soul as we dash toward the boardwalk. Once on solid ground, I stop long enough to drag my shirt over my head and wrap it around her paw. Another quick glance at the map on my cell, I turn on the guided directions, and we're off again.

We take off in the direction of the clinic, she's bleeding a lot now, and panic is setting in for me. Luckily, we're not too far away, people are starting to stare. I suppose we do resemble a slasher flick.

"Hang on, Doc. We've got a few more blocks to go." At this point, I'm not sure if I'm comforting her or myself. All I know is that I can't lose her. I don't have it in me to start over again with anything.

"Turn right onto Ocean Boulevard. Your destination is on the right." The maps app just about gives me a heart attack as it chimes in with directions. At the corner, I catch sight of the building ahead.

"Here we go, girl." My legs move as fast as they can carry us, but after our run, they feel like lead at this point.

We rush up to the entrance, pausing long enough for the doors to slide open. The minute I can slip through the opening, I hurry over to the receptionist. When she catches sight of us, her eyes widen the closer we get to her.

"Don't stop!" She springs from her seat, waving me through the hall on her left side. "Second room on the right. I'll grab some towels and the doctor."

"Thank you!" I huff as I carry Doc in and lay her on the bed. "Help is coming, baby, hang in there."

The tech breezes back in, jerking my shirt off Doc's foot and wrapping it tightly with the clean cloth. "She's closing another wound; she'll be right with you two. May I have your names?"

"Creed and Doc Hatcher," I mutter while rubbing Doc's back to comfort her. She whimpers with every pass of my hand, making my guilt for allowing her to get hurt to grow into a mountain of shame.

"D-Did you say, Hatcher?" The tech blinks rapidly, staring at me as if I'm a ghost. My hands tremble at the thought of answering all the ridiculous questions people have the need to ask.

I drag in a deep, steadying breath. "Yes, Creed Hatcher."

"You're the son of ex-senator Hatcher, right?" My pulse slows as she catches me off guard, I never considered someone might connect my name to my father. I clear my throat before answering.

"I am."

"He's a good man, I voted for him his second term. I didn't live in the state his first run, but if I had, I would've then too." She explains, alleviating my fears. "Let me check on where the doctor is, this needs to be stitched."

"Thank you," I mutter as she scurries away, prompting a heavy sigh of relief from me.

Moments later, we hear a sound at the door, and I'm stunned into silence as the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on walks through it--her flaming red waves of hair frame her face of perfect ivory skin.

She glances up just in time to stumble into the room. I reach for her, catching her before she can fall. Her hands are pressed against my chest as I grip her arms to steady her. A shot of electricity stings me as our skin touches. "I-I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Our eyes lock, and I'm dumbstruck as I gaze into a sea of meridian blue. "I mean, it's all good. Happy to be of service. Or... ah, not of service but help. Glad I could help. I'm gonna sit down now."

She points to my chest as she steps toward Doc. "Do you often wander around half-dressed?"

"No!" Does she think I'm a perv or something? "We were running on the beach, and she cut her foot. I used it to try to stop the bleeding."

"Would you like something to clean up with and maybe a shirt or something?" Her lips are a perfect pout, forming with every word as she takes the towels off Doc. I'm in a daze, and it takes a minute for them to sink in.

I take stock in my appearance, realizing I'm messed up. "Please, I wasn't aware I was covered in blood."

"I can understand why. There are two lacerations, and they're deep, they need stitches. I'll go grab a surgical kit, and I'll have someone find you a towel." She moves around Doc, never making eye contact with me again as she walks from the room.

I turn to Doc, stunned, and feeling as though I've done something wrong. "Do I stink or something? I am pretty sweaty."

Doc's ears perk up, warning me the hot doctor is on her way back. As if on cue, she strolls back into the room and tosses me a towel. "You'll find a sink behind the door, Missy's bringing a scrub top."

"Thank you." I slide past her, purposely brushing against her in hopes of jump-starting my heart. There's an instantaneous current that courses between us. Her allure rocks me to my core, I've never felt so drawn to another person.

"So, you two were running on the beach when this happened?" She cuts her eyes at me, quickly returning to work on Doc's injury.

I wince, knowing where she's going with it. "Yeah, she goes on my daily runs with me back home. It never dawned on me the surf might've washed up some broken shells."