Three very important somethings, in fact.
“Their car just crossed the last marker,” Evan said, kissing my forehead. “Come on, let’s go out and meet them.”
I swallowed my fear and let Evan lead me outside. It was still chilly, but spring was finally here.
It felt very apt. A new season for the new season of my life.
We’d decided against hosting at Evan’s parents’ place. While we’d all fit, it’d be snug. Besides, it felt daft when the clan house was right there.
Evan had suggested meeting at my flat, but I’d turned that down immediately. The place that had once been my sanctuary was now filled with the darkness I’d fought to escape.
It hadn’t left me completely. I still had bad days. Mornings when I struggled to force myself out of bed. Days when the furthest I could go was the sofa. Evenings when I couldn’t face eating. Nights when sleep eluded me.
The difference was that I wasn’t alone now.
Evan was there. To cuddle me. To sit with me on the sofa. To bring me food. To talk with me when the moon was high and sleep was nowhere to be found.
It wasn’t just Evan, either. Everyone else took my mood changes in their stride, trying to help me out in small ways. June would cook my favourite foods while filling me in on the latest gossip. Jameson would pick a topic seemingly out of thin air, asking me all sorts of questions that would lead to the two of us researching it for hours.
Meanwhile, Hamish and Brodie would kidnap me to play marathon sessions ofDemon Hunters. Logan would show up laden with shopping bags, demanding that I put on a fashion show of everything he’d bought. Another one who’d show up with bags was Calan, but his would be filled with ingredients instead of clothes. Sometimes I’d cook with him, others I’d just sit and watch him. Both made me feel better. I think it helped that Calan never pushed. He just…cared in his own grumpy, silent way.
Finn went out of his way to make work another safe place for me. Together with Evan, they set fresh wards around the shop to alert them if anyone with malicious intent stepped over them. He insisted it was for Chester’s benefit, but I knew it was for mine.
After all, I was the one who woke from nightmares in sweat-soaked sheets. Dreams where I’d been dragged away by the Clarksons to marry another. But Evan was always there to soothe the terror away with kisses or whatever else I might need.
Logically, I knew that wasn’t going to happen. My bond with Evan had severed all my ties with the Clarksons on the most permanent basis. Plus, Logan was keeping a very close eye on them, ready to warn us if they planned to retaliate.
None of that stopped me looking over my shoulder whenever I walked from my car to the shop though. It’d be a long time before that happened.
Knowing the wards were there made work an easier place to be. As did Chester. I could safely say we considered each other friends. Which was good, considering we’d both locked ourselves in with the McCarthys for all eternity.
Mac’s car rounded the corner and I exhaled shakily. “Here we go.”
“You’ve got this,” Evan said, squeezing my hand. “Are ye sure ye want me here?”
Everyone else had cleared out for the evening to give us space, but I’d insisted I wanted Evan here. It didn’t surprise me that he was checking again though. My mate was the most considerate person I’d ever met. “Aye. I do.”
The car had barely rumbled to a halt before the back door was being flung open. Before I could blink, Bryce’s arms were around my neck. He was sniffling loudly, almost throttling me with his hug. “Don’t yeeverdo that again.”
My vision misted as I pulled my hand from Evan’s to return his hug. “Never. I’m so sorry, Bryce.”
He nodded against my chest before releasing me. Cole was waiting to sweep in, crushing me in a brief embrace before Mac was there.
“We’re going to have a big talk,” Mac said thickly. “But just know that we’re fine, and we’re always going to be fine.”
The knot in my chest eased. “Good. I’d be devastated if I’d lost you forever.”
“Never,” Bryce vowed as I stepped out of Mac’s arms and hastily wiped my eyes. “But Mac’s right—you’ve got some explaining to do.”
My stomach flipped as I saw the three of themturn to Evan with a glare.Oh.I guessed they’d come up with their own theories as to why I’d distanced myself.
Bracing myself, I slipped my hand back into Evan’s and faced my friends. “Guys, this is Evan McCarthy. My…boyfriend.”
Evan’s lips twitched. We both knew he was so much more than that, but we’d already agreed not to share anything about the supe world with them. Not only was it technically forbidden, but we didn’t want to make them a target in any way for having information humans weren’t supposed to have. “It’s lovely to meet ye all. Reid speaks of ye so much I feel like I know ye already.”
“Really?” Bryce looked down his nose at Evan, which was remarkable considering their height difference. “Because the only time he’s spoken aboutyouit was in less than complimentary terms.”
I flushed, hating my past self.
