He shakes his head. “Next time you shut down, let us pull you out of it.”
The thought is terrifying.
The wall I’ve built inside of myself is there for a reason. It protects me from the darkest parts of my heart, when guilt, shame, and sorrow threaten to overwhelm me.
But for Travis, Ryland, and Rowan, I’ll try to let them in.
“Hey, how’s kitten therapy going?” Piper enters the room, Alvin trailing behind her. “Also, what time did you leave this morning, Blair? You seriously left your parent’s house before sunrise?”
I yawn. “I wanted to come back home. I dropped off Merv and Mar, then wanted to check on the rescue.”
Piper’s eyes widen. “There’s no way you got enough sleep.”
I yawn again. “I’m fine.”
“Blair Bear, your emotional regulation system must be fried right now.”
“Piper, I don’t know what the hell that means.”
“It’s therapy talk. Basically, after this morning and everything from the last week, you should go home and rest.”
Travis nods in agreement, and I frown at him.
“So, everyone knows therapy talk except for me?”
“I’m long overdue for therapy,” Travis says. “I’ll go if you go.”
I’m overdue for it, too. I’ve tried the self-help books of dealing with grief.
I’ve done the meditations, the affirmations, and self-soothing techniques.
I think it’s time for something more.
“I’ll think it about it,” I murmur. “But right now, I want to be piled under some blankets and take a giant nap.”
“That’s something I can make happen,” Travis says, his lip quirking. “Your room at the packhouse is waiting for you.”
“I love naps,” Piper sighs wistfully. “Blair, get out of here and go take a nap with your Alphas.”
A nap sounds incredible right now.
Despite the emotional whiplash, my flu symptoms have dissipated by being near Travis.
I’m sure surrounding myself with Ryland and Rowan’s scents will make me feel even better.
“Only if I can bring Mervin and Marlin,” I tell Travis.
“Of course. They’re always welcome,” he says gently. “They’ve had a permanent spot in the packhouse since you have.”
“Aww,” Piper says, while I blush.
“Then let’s do it,” I say. “Can you follow me to my apartment and we’ll pick them up?”
“Absolutely. You can stay with us as long as you want,” Travis replies. “Hell, stay with us forever.”
My face continues to burn at his words.
The kindness and patience Travis offers me makes my heart ache.
