Evan had never taken the subway before, and although he was excited about it like a proper tourist, his joy stemmed from something else. He was actually on his way to Riley's flat. The place where he'd lived for the last few years. If this was a dream, he hoped no one would wake him.
"I started thinking about NYU too, though not for the reason my mum would have wanted. Because of my friends, of course," Lola continued. She was at her best when it came to small talk and Riley seemed genuinely interested in what she had to say.
"I think friends are a pretty good reason," Riley agreed. "But you also have to be sure about what you want to study."
"I was thinking about applying to NYU because of my friends, UF because of my boyfriend Aaron, and ASU because of me. I want a university that is less difficult to get into and Arizona sounded nice," the blue-haired girl explained.
"Good choice."
"You can fill out my applications too, since I have no idea where I want to go," Aiden joined the conversation.
"Mine too, since I don't think my parents would survive if they saw them," Evan chimed in. On the one hand he wasn't sure if it was a good idea to mention family in front of Riley, on the other hand he was serious about his promise to tell Riley everything he had missed.
"Where do you want to apply?" Riley asked immediately and it was obvious that he really wanted to know more.
"I'm not sure," Evan replied honestly. "NYU has always been a dream and I haven't thought about a backup plan yet. I'll probably do it like Lola."
Riley hummed in agreement, but it looked like he had something else in mind. "So I take it you haven't talked to your parents about university."
Evan chuckled briefly. "It's one of those conversations I'd rather avoid."
Fortunately, Riley didn't need any further explanation as he knew exactly what his cousin was talking about. It was one of those things that hadn't changed.
However, before the subject could spoil the atmosphere between them, Riley declared that they were on the spot and made his way to the door of the apartment building. Evan tried not to look around too curiously, so Riley would not misinterpret his glances. Even though he still had no idea what Riley's place looked like, he was already envious of the fact that Riley had managed to make it on his own without the support of his pack and family.
"Welcome to my home," Riley declared as he unlocked the door and stepped inside. The others immediately followed and as their eyes swept over the interior, Evan dared to do the same. Directly in front of him was the kitchen, which was connected to the living room, and as he could see three doors, he figured that one of them would hide Riley's bedroom and the rest would be the toilet and bathroom.
"Do you want something to drink?" Riley asked as he made his way to the kitchen. They all followed him again automatically, and just like that they were standing in front of his fridge, where Evan had noticed a familiar photo even from a distance. And he wasn't the only one. "Oh my God, is that little Evan?" Lola said in a sweet tone and leaned in to take a closer look.
The picture was of Evan and Riley. They were sitting on the floor of Riley's parents' living room, and on the table in front of them was a 3D Notre Dame puzzle they had been building for days, and judging by their smiles, they were more than proud of themselves.
"You were so cute and innocent," Lola commented, looking over her shoulder and smiling.
Evan frowned and asked, "When have I ever not been cute and innocent?"
He quickly found out that wasn't the best thing to say.
"Only four times in a row," Lola and Angie said in unison, and Aiden shot him a knowing look.
Evan's cheeks flushed and he quickly glanced at Riley to see if he'd heard, though he knew he must have. And now, with his reaction, he was confirming that it meant exactly what he must have thought it meant.
Evan cleared his throat and looked back at his friends, frowning. "Shut up. I'm never telling you anything again."
"Sure." Angie wasn't buying the bullshit.
"Another thing your parents don't know about, I suppose," Riley chimed in.
"To be honest, they don't know a lot," Evan admitted. On the one hand he was tempted to tell Riley everything, on the other hand he was worried. Confiding in his family was taboo for Evan, and the fact that he hadn't seen Riley for so long added to his uncertainty. He knew it was stupid, since Riley was his favourite person in the world, but he couldn't help it
Fortunately, fate provided Evan with the last piece of information he needed to calm down completely, even though he didn't know it.
"Awww, who's that? Your boyfriend?" Lola asked, her attention back on the pictures on the fridge.
"Yes," Riley replied, clearing his throat. His tone wasn't exactly confident, as if he was afraid of the reaction this confirmation would cause. "That's Sam."
"He's hot," Lola commented, turning over her shoulder with an admiring look and a smile.
"Thanks," Riley replied with a brief laugh. "He'd be thrilled to hear that."
"Everyone's got a hot boyfriend but me," Angie declared, also looking at the pictures on the fridge. Evan noticed that the ones with Riley and Sam were the most numerous.
"I'm literally single," Aiden reminded her. "So are most of our friends."
"Doesn't matter." Angie just waved her hand without turning to face him.
Evan decided this was his chance. "Awww, are you jealous?" He asked her in a teasing tone.
This time Angie turned away and raised her eyebrows as if to say that what he'd said was stupid.
"You can't deny that Ryan is the hottest guy you've ever seen. And that's an objective statement," Evan went on. Even though he really meant it, he said it mainly so that he wouldn't have to have a typical coming out in front of Riley.
"Right." Angie rolled her eyes. "You're not just saying that because you're dating him."
Riley cleared his throat again and both Angie and Evan turned to him. He looked shocked by their conversation and had no idea how to join in.
His face reflected several emotions at once and it looked like it would take him a while to find the right words. So Angie decided to save the situation she had created.
"I think this is a conversation just for the two of you. We'll be in the living room." She poked Evan in the back, forcing him to take a step forward.
The living room and kitchen weren't far enough apart for privacy, but Evan's friends still knew everything he could tell his cousin, so it didn't matter anyway.
"So you have a boyfriend?" Surprisingly, it was Riley who picked up on the previous conversation.
Since he was already so shocked, Evan decided to push even harder. "He's actually my mate."
Riley blinked in surprise, his eyes darting quickly to the living room where people he thought shouldn't overhear their conversation were sitting. But then he seemed to realise the full gravity of Evan's words and turned back to him. "Your mate," he repeated almost incredulously.
"Uh-huh." Evan acknowledged with a nod.
"Your parents..." Even though Riley didn't finish his sentence, Evan knew exactly where he was going with it, so he decided to answer anyway.
"They don't know about him," he said, then corrected, "They know him, but they don't know he's my mate. They think we're friends."
"But you're still together," Riley judged, even though it was obvious.
"He's my mate. I'd do anything to be with him. I don't care about my parents," he assured him. In a way, it was ironic that Evan was the one telling him that, when Riley was the one who had to make that choice and choose his mate. Maybe that was why he didn't know how to react to this confession.
"Riley," Evan addressed him. "I would choose my mate over my family any time." And apparently that was exactly what Riley needed to hear.
"So you understand that..." Again Riley couldn't finish the sentence, but Evan knew exactly what he was asking.
"Of course," he assured him. "If it helps, I've never been angry with you." Evan unconsciously moved both his hands in front of him and began to play with the bracelet Ryan had given him. He was more nervous about this conversation than he let on.
Riley exhaled loudly and it felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
"I never wanted to leave you," he admitted, his voice wavering. Evan knew that, but he had no idea how much he needed to hear it out loud.
"I know." His voice sounded the same.
Riley quickly closed the distance between them and pulled him into another tight embrace.
"I missed you so much. I'm sorry." Riley's voice betrayed his tears.
"I'm sorry too," Evan told him. He knew he couldn't have saved the situation then, he was just a kid, but that didn't mean he couldn't feel sorry for it.
"It wasn't your fault," Riley reassured him.
"It wasn't your fault either." Evan replied in the same way. The only thing Riley was guilty of was finding the love of his life. Why should he suffer for it? To this day, Evan still didn't understand.
"I was so scared that you'd never forgive me." Riley's confession almost broke his heart.
Evan chuckled through his tears. "When have I ever been upset with you?"
Riley's hands disappeared from his back and he pulled away. A genuine smile finally appeared on his face and Evan returned it immediately. "Still. I feel like I have a lot to make up for. Starting with wanting to hear all about your life. What did I miss?"
"You have no idea," Evan declared, and even though it sounded like he was exaggerating on purpose, he was sure he had a few more things in store that would shock his cousin.
"I see one thing hasn't changed though." Evan had no idea what he meant by that until Riley took his hand and nodded towards his bracelet. "It's a copy of Isabelle's bracelet, isn't it?"
"It is." Evan nodded with a broad grin. "Rayn gave it to me for Christmas." But that wasn't the only reason he was smiling. "I'm surprised you remember what it is."
"It was your favourite show, not to mention you had every book in the series. Of course I remember."
"I had a hoodie with a quote from it too, but I traded it with Ryan. Turns out he loves it as much as I do," Evan revealed.
"Ryan sounds really great," Riley said with a smile.
"He's awesome!" Angie's voice came from the living room.
Riley laughed and so did Evan. The atmosphere between them was relaxed and Evan didn't want to spoil it, but there was one more thing he wanted Riley to know as soon as possible.
"There's something else you should know." Evan began carefully. The nervousness was audible in his voice and Riley noticed it immediately. But before he could say anything, Evan continued. "I don't tell my parents many things, but that doesn't apply to my friends too. I told them I am a werewolf."