Page 27 of Nitro

But for me, the chaos was a bit too much to handle.

I'd been looking forward to this dinner at Nitro's favorite spot, eager to try the famous guacamole he often raved about.

However, the reality of the busy place hit me like a wave.

It occurred to me that since being freed from Hicks’ control, I’d never been in such a public, crowded space.

Most of the time, I was either with Nitro, my brother, or in an intimate setting with my new friends.

Breathe, I reminded myself. I focused on Nitro’s leather jacket and dark hair, but it wasn’t working.

All of a sudden, it became unbearably hot in there.

I swallowed hard, my eyes darting around in an attempt to keep up with Nitro’s pace.

The smell of sizzling fajitas and the clinking of margarita glasses created a sensory overload.

Panic began to rise inside me, and I tightened my grip on the strap of my bag.

"Hey, Tommy, you okay?" Nitro's deep voice reached me over the din, and I snapped my attention back to him.

He wore a concerned expression and furrowed his brows.

"Yeah, just... it's a bit crowded," I admitted, feeling a bit embarrassed by my unease.

Nitro's eyes softened, and he offered a reassuring smile.

"No worries. We can find a quieter spot if you want, unless you want to eat elsewhere?” Nitro asked.

“Here is fine,” I insisted.

The last thing I wanted was to ruin our first official date. Leaving even before we had a bite to eat felt like a cowardly act.

Eventually, I had to learn to handle crowds.

“Alright, but tell me if it becomes too much,” Nitro told me.

I nodded, grateful Nitro was so understanding. Nitro guided us toward a more secluded corner.

As we settled into our seats, the noise and busyness of the restaurant became more manageable.

Nitro flagged down a waiter, ordered our food, and asked me how my day was.

I liked how he easily struck up a casual conversation, knowing it would help calm my nerves.

Honestly, I still wasn’t sure I would ever get used to crowded spaces, but Nitro’s presence and the promise of delicious food kept me grounded.

As I finally tasted the delicious guacamole and fish tacos while we swapped stories, I found myself gradually relaxing.

“Sorry I took you here,” Nitro finally said. “I didn’t consider how you would feel about crowds.”

“There’s no need to apologize,” I said. “You were right. The food here is amazing.”

“Tommy, you were on the verge of a panic attack earlier,” Nitro reminded me.

“It’s true all the noise and people were too much for me, but I have to get used to this eventually,” I told him. “I mean, I don’t want people thinking you have a freak for a mate.”

I said those last words in a terrified whisper, but with our shifter hearing, Nitro could hear them just fine.

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