Chapter 2 - Cayden
I pushed the start button on my coffee maker and sighed. I had already done my morning workout, which consisted of a three-mile run and an ab workout. I had already showered and just wanted to enjoy my morning coffee peacefully.
I stared at my coffee mug for a second before I yawned. I rubbed my eyes and glanced at the time. I still had an hour before I needed to be at the fire station.
There was a knock at my door, and I turned, glancing at it. I scowled because I knew that I wasn't expecting anyone. It was far too early for any of the guys to make a surprise visit, and none of the girls were going to stop by.
I walked over and looked through the peephole on my door. My heart stopped beating as I took in my sister. She had her arms crossed, glaring directly at the peephole like she knew I was standing there. Her black hair fell in short curls around her face, and her brown eyes looked annoyed as she stared.
"Maybe instead of looking at me through the hole, you open your door," she said, tilting her head. "I can smell you from here."
I unlocked the door and pulled it open. I had to admit I was a little stunned. Sure, we occasionally talked, but she'd never come to visit. I'd been away from the pack for eight years, and she'd not come once. I gave her a little leeway, considering she was just learning to drive when I left, but she was older now.
April had changed since I last saw her. Her blond hair was long gone, leaving pure black hair behind. She was clearly going for a different look than who she used to be, and I wasn't sure why.
"April," I stuttered, still unsure of what to say to her. "What…what are you doing here?"
"Not just me," she said, taking a step to the side. Riley poked her head out from the side. Riley looked more like who I remembered, but she looked like she'd had better days. She even tried to muster a smile, which didn't quite meet her brown eyes.
I was suddenly nineteen again, just leaving the pack. I remember April standing in the hallway and Riley in her doorway. They had been having a sleepover that night. I wasn't planning to leave until later, but my folks pushed me to the edge, and I'd had enough.
I remember they both looked shocked as I stood at the front entrance with my bags. April had shaken her head, confused. "What are you doing?" she yelled, taking a few steps down the hallway toward me. "Where are you going?"
"Enough, April." My father growled at her, stopping her tracks.
I hated everything. I hated the way my folks acted like I was garbage and how quickly they wanted me out. I hated the fact that I was leaving them behind even more. I couldn't explain. My folks wouldn't let me. I hadn't even given April a proper goodbye.
I simply grabbed my bags, and I left.
April crossed her arms. "Do you not have any manners or what? Are you going to keep staring at us or invite us inside?"
I quickly shook my head and pulled the door open a little wider. April stepped in first, her eyes quickly surveying my space. It seemed that my sister still had a sharpness to her.
"Nice place. You always said that you did good, but it's nice to see it for myself."
I glanced at Riley, who was standing in the doorway. She gave me another weak smile before looking at April.
I looked at my sister, taking her in. She didn't look hurt, which was my first impression. Why else would she be here if she wasn't?
"Not that I don't like you coming down, but why are you here?" I asked, leaning on my door.
"Needed a vacation," April said with a shrug. She took a seat on the couch, reminding me so much of her younger self. April had always been comfortable anywhere she went. She could enter a stranger's house and relax like she owned the place.
I looked over at Riley. My throat suddenly felt tight, feeling the snap of realization kicking in. I'd always known she was my mate, but I'd never done anything about it. I would never have allowed anything to happen. Riley was just a young girl when I first felt it. But she wasn't anymore, and my wolf knew that.
I shoved that thought down. She was April's best friend. Nothing could happen.
"You can come in," I said, waving a hand. "April has already made herself comfortable."
Riley gave me another weak smile before finally entering my apartment. Riley did a quick survey of all the space, not showing as much on her face as April did, so I couldn't tell if she was impressed.
I ran a hand through my hair, taking them both in. April had grown a couple of inches. I'd gotten photos and videos of her, but seeing her in person told me just how much she had actually changed. She used to wear bright colors but is now wearing darker clothes. I was pretty sure she had several piercings on her left ear. It seemed that she had a more edgy taste.
Riley looked….well…like Riley. She still had her simple brown hair pulled back into a small bun. She had a softness to her, the opposite of April. She obviously still liked wearing brighter colors, but she looked more proper, almost like a housewife.
"So, a vacation?" I asked, waiting for a better explanation. "That's it? You decided to come down and see me for a vacation? After eight years of not seeing me?"
"We needed a little time away from the pack," April said, smiling at me. "It's been a while since we've got out."
I knew there was more to the story. April wasn't telling me the entire truth, but I wasn't going to push the issues. Our relationship was rocky, and I was just grateful she was here. I could get it out of her later after she settled in.
"Well, this town has plenty of things you can do. I can show you guys around if you want."
"That would be great," April said, glancing at Riley. "Riley, are you going to sit down and stand like a statue the entire time."
Riley glared at April. "One, it's rude just to throw yourself onto someone's couch, and two…" Riley glanced at me. "I'm just…stunned. It's been a long time since I've seen your brother."
I gave Riley a smile. "You look well. You both do. Glad to see the pack hasn't drained you of life yet."
April's eyes narrowed at the comment, and I suddenly wished I could take the words back. I knew better than to say anything, considering they were both still there. But I guess I still wasn't over the entire issue. Maybe I never would be.
"So, do either of you want coffee? I was just about to have some."
"I would love a cup," April said, pulling herself up.
"Riley?" I glanced at her. She shook her head. "No thanks."
I turned to the kitchen and started to coffee. I watched as April walked towards my balcony. "Nice view."
"Thanks."
April continued to walk and headed down the hallway.
"Still nosey as ever, I see," I sighed, glancing at Riley. She smirked, slowly nodding her head. "Are you sure you don't want a coffee?"
She shook her head. "No, I had a cup when I woke up while she slept an extra hour."
I grabbed another mug and poured two as April walked back into the room.
"You have a pretty nice place. Two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Not too big and not too small."
"Thanks. Did you check my drawers as well while you were in there?"
April rolled her eyes. "Don't be dramatic. I'm not invading your privacy. I'm just checking out my brother's digs."
I slid her a mug and leaned onto the counter. "So, this vacation….how long will you guys be here?"
I could see Riley tense up beside me, but April had a better poker face. She simply shrugged, taking a sip of her mug. She then scrunched up her nose in disgust. "You didn't add anything to this."
"I drink my black," I said, raising an eyebrow. "Like an adult."
"Jesus," she turned, walking to my fridge. "You have milk and sugar?"
I blew out a breath and sighed. "April, forget about the coffee and tell me what's going on. Is there something I should be worried about?"
April pulled out the milk. "No. Like I said, a vacation."
If that were true, Riley wouldn't have looked like someone punched her. She looked like she wanted to vomit all over the place, which told me there was more to the story.
"Besides, I figured it was time to come down and see you," April poured in some milk. "Since you won't come see me."
It plucked a nerve, and I scowled. "You know that I can't."
"You could," she countered. "You chose not to."
"No, April, I can't. I was shunned. I'm not allowed back in the pack."
April placed the milk down a little harder than necessary, and she glared. "Then maybe you should have thought about that before leaving."
I ground my teeth together. This was how most of our conversations went. We would get along for a little while before she would bring up the past, and we would start to fight.
"For once, can we not do this," I said, waving a hand between us.
April ground her teeth together before she sighed. "Fine."
I ran a hand through my hair. "You still haven't said how long you'll be in Honeyville."
"A couple of weeks. I had some PTO I could use and figured now was a good time with the holidays and everything. We rented an apartment for the time we’ll be staying here."
I glanced at Riley, who had remained quiet. Riley was always a little quieter and more reserved, but this was a lot for her.
I felt that tug to get closer to her. My wolf growled in my head with need, and I ignored it. I hoped it would simmer down over the years, but it only seems to have grown. My want for Riley was almost painful now.
I could still remember all the times I ran into her, all the times I protected her growing up. I accepted the hugs of thanks and greetings. I accepted the kiss on the cheek one year for Thanksgiving and always wanted more.
But the four-year age difference made it hard. She was just turning fifteen when I left. Sure, people were starting to figure out who their mates were at that age, but I didn't think it was appropriate. Riley still had so much growing up to do at that age. She still had a whole world to see, a life she deserved to decide on herself.
"Well, I'm glad you guys are here. I can show you guys around, and we could even travel to the nearest towns if you want."
"Sounds like fun," April said, turning her attention to my kitchen. "Now, where is your sugar?"