Page 18 of Mane Full Of Stripes
Stepping into his room, Ella asked, “Nervous about later?”
Jost bit the corner of his bottom lip as he nodded. “We’re going to the theme park near here.”
“You do love the rides, and the popcorn, and the cotton candy.” Ella smiled. “He was nice on your last date, and I’ve met him a couple of times. He seems like one of the good shifters.”
“He does.” Jost sighed and scratched his head. “I’m… hesitant, I guess.”
“And no one can blame you for being that way after what happened with him.” Jost knew his parents didn’t like to mention Jenrick by name, and he was fine with that. “But he is the past, and Apollo is your mate.”
“Which is why I’ve agreed to go on a few dates with him.” Jost shrugged and picked at one of his fingernails. Ella came over and pulled his hands apart and Jost glanced up at her, then shrugged again. “Sorry.”
“It’s a bad habit. One you developed with him. You broke it like you broke free.”
“I know,” he whispered. “I want to get over it. I thought I was.”
“You are, but finding your mate has brought up painful memories, which is understandable. Talk to Apollo more if you’re concerned that he won’t wait for you, but I’m certain he will. He knows some of what happened. Do you want me or your dad to speak—?”
“God no!” Jost blurted out. “I am an adult, you know. I can deal with this. I just need some time and lots of dates.”
Chuckling, Ella kissed his cheek. “Sorry.” She ruffled his hair, then grinned when he batted her hand away. “You’ll always be my baby.”
“Ugh! Don’t Mom. Not the baby talk.” Jost rolled his eyes. He’d heard the ‘you might be an adult, but you’ll always be my baby’ talk from Ella several times. He knew he would always be her child and that he could always turn to her and Anslem. They had seen him at his lowest point and helped to pick him up and rebuild his life. He loved them, but sometimes they needed to remember he was an actual adult now.
“Okay, I get it. You’re all grown and capable of making your own decisions. I want the best for you after you know who. I’m allowed to want that as your mother. You deserve a mate who treats you the way you should be treated, and I like Apollo. Shame he’s a zebra shifter, but he is also a leader. A good shifter who cares for his pack, or dazzle as they call it. It’s a shame not all of them have been as welcoming, but most have.” Sitting on the edge of Jost’s bed, Ella asked, “Theme park. Are you going to make him go on all the rides with you?”
“Of course I am, and he can listen to me scream as well.” Jost smiled. “It’ll be fun.”
“Maybe you’ll listen to him scream instead.” Ella sat next to him and cuddled Jost. “You should record him, so when he denies it, you can play it back.”
Jost giggled, then slapped a hand over his mouth. Moving it away, he murmured, “That’s not nice.”
“No, but it is funny.”
Jost grinned and nodded. “I should take lots of pictures as well. Nice memories.”
“Start this relationship off on a good foot, unlike—”
“Don’t. I made a mistake, and I have to live with the scars that mistake left. I don’t want to go over it anymore.”
“I’m sorry.” Ella sighed softly. “It was hard,” she murmured. “Seeing you like that.”
“I know you both tried to help me see sense, but sometimes you have to realize it for yourself. Dad coming that time…” Jost bit his lip. “He came at the right time. I think if he hadn’t come, I would still be thinking I could change him while he hurt me.”
Ella hugged him and kissed his forehead. “He’s gone now and gone for good, and you found your mate. And he is good looking, too.”
“Mom! Stop ogling my mate.” Jost gave Ella a quick smile. “He is gorgeous.”
Standing, Ella ruffled his hair again, laughing when Jost tried to knock her hand away. “Wear something warm. It’s supposed to be cold tonight. Make sure he hugs you to keep you warm.”
“Please stop, Mom.” God, it was embarrassing, but kinda nice that she wanted him to be happy. For a long time, he didn’t think he deserved to be happy, but now with Apollo he thought he should be, but slowly. Everything would go at his speed, but he did want to kiss his mate. Apollo had such kissable lips, and Jost giggled, thinking about those lips and what they could kiss.
“Come down and get something to eat before your big date.” Ella grinned, then left Jost’s bedroom and Jost sighed, then fell back on his bed. “Apollo,” he whispered his mate’s name. It sounded exotic to him, then he laughed. Apollo, the zebra shifter, and his mate. He had a mate and so far, he seemed nice, but Jost knew that could be deceptive, But he was willing to try because, as he’d thought many times, if Apollo was his mate, then he was Apollo’s mate.
Standing, Jost left his bedroom and went downstairs, sitting at the table with Anslem. “Ready for tonight?”
Had they been talking about Jost’s date with Apollo? Probably. It irked him, but at the same time it was nice to know they cared. “I think I am. We’ll see who screams the loudest.” Otto came in and ruffled Jost’s hair. Jost knocked his hand away, scowling at him. “What is it with you all messing with my hair?”
“It’s cause you’re so cute!” Otto laughed as he sat next to Anslem and far enough from Jost that Jost couldn’t hit him.
