Impossible Love

Chapter 4

"Are you okay?" Ty rushes to my side.

"I just need some fresh air."

He looks at the club entrance then back to me. "Drink too much?"

I shake my head. "Just not feeling well."

"Do you have friends inside?" He places a hand on each of my arms as though to steady me. "I can go get them."

I'm not sure how he would identify them, but it's sweet of him to offer. I point to the limo that's parked in front of me. "I'm just going to wait in the limo until my cab gets here."

"I can give you a ride."

The world around me spins. "I need to sit down." I open the limo door and crawl inside.

Ty follows me inside and sits beside me. "I'll wait with you until your cab gets here."

"No, Ty, really, I'm fine." My shoulders are tight and my breath bursts in and out.

"No, you're not. You're white as a ghost."

I wrap my arms around myself rock back and forth. It's what I do to self sooth when a panic attack hits. That along with deep breathing exercises help to calm me down.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asks.

I nod. This is the worst attack I've had in a long time. It hit fast and hard. My blood pounds in my ears, my fingers and toes tingle. My vision is like a tunnel, everything seems surreal. My chest is tight as I dig my nails into my palms.

"Maddie talk to me," he freaks out.

"I can't." I take in a deep breath and hold it, counting to six and then slowly blowing out. I continue to breathe in and out while Ty watches with a concerned expression.

I fixate on his face. His dark skin, five o'clock shadow, the way his hair falls onto his face, nearly covering his warm, brown eyes. He reaches for my ice-cold hands and I let him. His are warm and instantly soothing. I continue to focus on his face. I don't know how many minutes pass, but finally, my breathing starts to even out and my heart begins to calm down.

I blow out a breath and my shoulders relax as I fall back into the seat.

"Maddie?"

"I'll be okay. It's just a panic attack."

"Just a panic attack? I was ready to call an ambulance." He keeps hold of my hands.

"It's almost over." Another deep slow breath.

"Does this happen often?"

"Not anymore." After my assault, I had them almost daily. It's been a few months since my last one. That one had been a breeze compared to this.

"Do you need anything? Is there anything I can do to help?"

You're doing it just by being here. His warm hands on mine are better than any anti-anxiety medication I've tried. And I've tried a few. "I just have to ride it out."

"When you're ready to go, I'll take you home. I'm not sending you off in a cab alone."

"I'll be okay, really."

"I'm not taking no for an answer, Maddie."

"So, where do you live?" Ty asks.

"In the Cheshire apartments on Lincoln." He should know where that is since it's only two streets over from the apartment complex we lived in when we met.

He starts the engine and pulls onto the road. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine. It passed."

"Any chance of it coming on again?"