“Jake, baby, are you alright?” She looked at Luke, over his shoulder. He bent his knees, so he was eye level with his brother.
“Jake, look at me.” He held his chin in his palm forcing Jake to stare at him.
“Should we call an ambulance?” She said shaking. She had never seen him have an anxiety attack like this before. She wasn’t sure if it even was that, but she knew whatever these attacks were they were consuming him, more often than not.
“No.” Jake gasped. She walked around him so that she faced him. “I’m. Okay.” He closed his eyes and reached for her hand, his breathing began to regulate.
“You’re not okay. Jake, this is getting worse. You need to see a doctor.” She demanded and pleaded all in the same breath.
His eyes met hers, and she saw he was getting control over his breathing back. He smiled at her to the best of his ability. “Babe. I’m. Good.” He looked at his brother. “You’re supposed to take care of her. I told you she’s a nervous one.” He exhaled sharply, obviously still in pain. His hand was clutching his stomach and she laid her hand over his.
“Stop talking. You need to catch your breath.” Luke said.
They remained silent for a few moments, allowing him to relax. Not sure what she could do to ease him, she caressed his back softly, pressing fleeting kisses along his jaw. She stole a glance at Luke. His face was blank but concerned etched through his eyes. He was just as dumbfounded as Cara, as to what was causing Jake’s attacks. Why wouldn’t he be, neither one of them were doctors. She felt Jake’s breath labor and he wrapped his arm around her waist.
“Well that was fucking amazing, you know besides the whole not being able to breathe thing.” Jake said with a big grin forming on his face. “Hey Pete, sign me up for next week.”
Pete looked at him as if he was a maniac and Cara smacked his arm.
“You just gave us a heart attack you ass.” Granted he didn’t get hurt while actually riding, but not two seconds ago he was gasping for air. He was out of his mind.
“Jake, what the hell was that just now?” Luke asked as he combed his fingers through his hair raggedly. “Cara’s right man, you scared the shit out of us.”
“Oh come on, guys! It’s nothing. I just got a little excited. It was probably just the adrenaline.”
“Adrenaline your ass.” Luke bit back and looked at Cara. “She almost ran onto the track trying to get to you.”
Cara swallowed hard, as Jake looked at her. He lifted her chin with his forefinger. “Are you nuts? You could’ve got yourself ran over.” His voice was sharp, and she knew that he had fully recovered.
“Oh don’t you pin this on me. You’ve been having these episodes for a while now, and they’re getting worse.” She took a step back, so his hand that rested on her hip fell to his side. She eyed him, seriously hoping that he saw the concern and anger in her eyes. “Look I’m serious Jake, if you don’t get your ass to a doctor I’ll…” She tried to think of something, but nothing came to her. Damn it. Way to make your point Cara.
He smiled, carefree and amused, which only frosted her cookies more. “You’ll what, sweetheart?”
Her shoulders slumped in defeat. “I’ll drag you there by your pierced brow.” It sounded weak even to her, and he only cemented that it was in fact a pathetic threat on her behalf when he bit back a chuckle.
“I tell you what.” He started to climb off his bike and she watched him hopefully. “I don’t like seeing you worked up over me, so I’ll go to a doctor.” He smiled softly. “Maybe they’ll give me some happy pills.” He wiggled his eyebrows, causing her to look at him skeptically. The last thing she wanted was him just saying any old thing to shut her up and keep her from nagging him.
“Promise me.” She stepped to him and took his hands in hers, interlocking their fingers. “I’m not going to let this pass. I’m worried about you, Jake.”
He pressed his lips to her forehead. “I promise.” He whispered against her skin.
“I’ll make you an appointment tomorrow.” She knew he was capable of making his own doctor’s appointment, but she wasn’t leaving it up to him so that he could turn around and say it slipped his mind or whatever other excuse he’d surely concoct.
“And then she’ll call me and tell me when it is, so I can make sure your ass gets there.” Luke said.
Both Cara and Jake looked over at Luke. His arms were crossed at his chest and his expression was dead serious.
“What? Not leaving you any room for excuses. You need to go get checked out, and I’ll hold your hand because you’re a pussy.” Luke said evenly, but there was a hint of humor in his eyes.