Rabbit in the headlights

3.

On the third twist of the key, the car roared to life. For a second, I thought we were going to camp in the driveway under Dad's glare. I waved him goodbye as we pulled away. He wasn't happy at all.

However, the rabbit died one mile later. Jacob slammed the hood while exhaling. He pulled a dirty rag hanging from his back pocket to rub his greasy hands. He peeked at me in the passenger seat, his happiness crumbling by the minutes. I wasn't eager to watch yet another bad horror movie with too many fake screams, he seemed to adore. I just wanted to be with him and away from my suffocating home and Dad persistent nagging.

"Sorry, it looks like it's really dead," Jacob yanked the driver's door opened. I shook my head. An old love song played on the background. The only Folks radio station has terrible taste in music. A cold gush of wind seeped between the cracks of the rusty rabbit making me shivered. He slammed the door shut and took off his jacket revealing a white sleeveless shirt over a solid chest.

"Here," he placed it around my shoulders. We held our gaze. The link between us calling me. I found myself leaning forward, leaving me breathless. He was inches away fighting the pull. Jacob placed a trembling finger on my lips and squeezed his eyes shut.

"I-I've promised, I won't touch you⁠— not until you're eighteen," he opened his eyes again and pulled his hand away. I watched him in confusion.

"But why?" he turned away his jaw tensed.

"This is wrong. I never asked for this. It just happened," he slammed his trembling fist on the steering wheel and turned to me with teary eyes. "I'm so sorry," I could feel his pain through the link. My heart squeezed in my chest. I sighed and sunk back into my seat.

"Don't worry. I can wait⁠—a long time," he face softened and he leaned in his seat, eyes studying me. A slow smile spread across his face. There he was my cute werewolf.

"I love you," he whispered.