“Nope. We’re not doing that,” Piper says. “You’ve taken care of me and been there for me every time I spiraled. It’s time I return the favor. We’re going to figure out what happened, alright? We’re going to get ahold of them.”
“I’m scared,” I whisper shamefully.
My reaction is embarrassing, and I’m glad only Maeve and Piper know why I’m so upset.
How do you explain that you’re having a breakdown because your pack is late to pick you up?
How can I look anything but ridiculous?
I’m pathetic.
Hardly good girlfriend material.
What will the Alphas they say when they finally pick me up?
I already embarrassed myself once in front of them by freaking out in their driveway and knocking over their trashcans.
And now, I’m worked up because they’re late.
“I would be scared, too,” Piper says. “Your reaction is completely valid, Blair.”
“You’re just saying that because you have to,” I say, my voice breaking. “This…I’m not…I can’t do this.”
The panic is too much.
Just the mere thought that I could potentially lose someone again makes my chest ache.
Rowan had said my walls were coming down, but they were there for a damn good reason.
I want them back. I want themback.
Maeve comes from behind the desk, Alvin gathered in her arms. She hands him to me wordlessly, and I cuddle the massive tabby boy, burying my face in his belly and listening to his purr.
“Huffing cats is good for you,” she says softly, and before I can ask her to elaborate, my phone buzzes in my pocket.
Shifting Alvin to one shoulder, relief floods me when I see Ryland’s name on the screen.
“Hello?” I breathe, my heart still racing.
“Hey, babe,” Ryland says, his voice muffled by the wind. “So…uh…can we reschedule?” his laugh is short and humorless. There’s shouting in the background, and I recognize the distressed voices as belonging to Rowan and Travis.
“What happened?” I ask, while Maeve and Piper watch my face carefully.
“Not much,” Ryland says breathlessly. The wind roars and the voices in the background grow soft. “We just got into a minor issue with the car. It’s not a big deal; we’re okay.”
“A minor issue?” I repeat. Piper and Maeve frown.
“Yeah, but don’t worry. Everything is fine, babe. We don’t want you to worry.”
“You…” I swallow. “You got into an accident?”
“Very minor,” he continues, and I can hear the smile in his voice. “But it’s going to take a minute to figure everything out. We’re fine though, everyone is fine.”
My throat tightens. “What happened?”
“Rowan swerved to get out of the way of a squirrel,” Ryland continues. “It didn’t go as planned.”
The way Ryland is speaking sounds off.
