“And why did you tell them you bought a Jeep Wrangler?” He had an amused glint in his eyes.
“It was the first car that came to mind,” I replied, starting to panic, realizing how much I’d just revealed to Blake.
“Because it’s the car that your not-mate drives?”
I felt my cheeks burning, likely turning a deep shade of crimson. I was completely embarrassed about the situation, feeling extremely vulnerable, and I just exposed far too much to Blake. I started to hyperventilate and could feel the panic attack coming on again, my arms tingling as fur began to sprout out of them. Afraid I would shift in his car, damaging it in the process, I quickly opened the door and jumped onto the sidewalk, falling into a squatting position. I inhaled and exhaled deeply, trying to stave off the panic attack, willing myself to shift back into my human form from the half form I’d gotten myself stuck in before it was too late.
Suddenly, Blake’s warm body surrounded me, his arms wrapped tightly around me, concern in his voice. “Are you okay? What happened?”
I forced myself to continue taking deep breaths, trying my best to take my mind off the situation as it was unfolding. Blake stroked the fur on my arm with one hand while the other stayed wrapped around me, holding me close to him. I began to calm down as he caressed me, the fur slowly disappearing. The anxiety overtaking me died down.
When the panic eased, I spoke. “Sorry, I’m prone to panic attacks. This is really embarrassing. Luckily I didn’t shift this time.”
“Does this happen often?” I looked up at him and saw he appeared concerned, his brows furrowed as his piercing eyes searched my face. I started to stand, and he stood with me, keeping his arm around my shoulders.
“It hasn’t in a while, but they started up again yesterday,” I replied. He helped me back into my seat and buckled my seatbelt for me.
Once he was seated next to me, he took my hand in his and asked, “How often do these panic attacks happen?”
“When I was younger, they happened pretty frequently. After I started shifting, I’d have to bring a change of clothes to school just in case. Usually, it was just stress with school stuff getting to me. But I haven’t had them in a couple years now. My parents put me in therapy, so I learned some coping techniques, which have helped.”
He kissed me on the top of my head, revealing a new side of himself. After a few moments, he asked, “What triggered this one?”
“This whole situation with us is just becoming too much for me. I can’t do this.” I could feel my anxiety rising again and began taking deep breaths.
“What do you mean?” he asked, his eyes trained on me.
“Things are just going too far between us. It’s stressing me out.”
“Going too far how?”
“We shouldn’t be doing all the stuff we’re doing together. You’re not my mate. And now my grandparents are on my case. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked for your help. Oh Goddess, I think I need to get out of the car again.” I felt another panic attack coming on, my lungs contracting as I began gasping for air, feeling dizzy.
I was about to undo my seatbelt when he put his hands on the sides of my face and turned my head so I was looking into his piercing blue eyes. Speaking softly, he said, “Hey, Jaz, it’s okay. I’m happy to help. And we can just be friends.” He ran his hand over my hair affectionately. “I know I joke around a lot with you, but I can cut back on that.”
I nodded, feeling myself gradually calm down.
“I still want to get in your pants, but I’ll just not vocalize it.” He smiled, pausing. “As much.”
I chuckled softly. He pushed a piece of hair behind my ear and smiled at me, moving his hand to my shoulder, and rubbing it gently. My chest settled and my breathing became even under his touch.
Blake continued, “Anyway, let’s go buy you a car.”
I sighed and replied, “That’s the other problem. I don’t think I have quite enough saved.”
“How much do you have?”
“Just under eight thousand.”
“Well, let’s just go to the dealership and see what they have. I looked it up this morning and there’s one about ninety miles from here that seems to have a pretty good inventory. Do you have time?”
“I just have to be home by five to make dinner.”
“Okay, let’s not waste any more time and go then.” He entered the information into his navigation app, shifted into drive, and sped away from the pack.
Afterseeingwhatcarsthey had on the lot, I fell in love with a bright blue Jeep Wrangler Sport that was eleven years old with just under a hundred thousand miles on it. Once I test drove it, I didn’t want to leave without it. We were able to talk the salesman who was helping us down to $15,000, but he wouldn’t budge any further.
“We have some great financing options right now,” he offered, looking across a small desk at us, the three of us seated in a cubicle. “We can put something together with a small monthly payment.”