Page 54 of Returning to Everton

And here we go. So, I tell them that Harris was particular about what we ate and drank. I try to downplay it. The guys already hate him, and Ireallydon’t want any of them to look at me in pity when they realize just how controlling he was. He’s gone, I’m moving on. It’s not going to help for them to be getting mad about shit that is in the past. Kayden reassures me I deserve better than Harris, and I agree.

When Ayden suggests that Harris had someone spell me to get me to be with him, I’m in shock. I mean, who the hell would do something like that? Quinn used to say the same thing, but I never gave it much thought. I knew he didn’t have magic and none of his friends do, so how would he have done it? Besides why would he want to? What kind of guy wants to be with someone that doesn’t want them?

It’s starting to really make sense the more time that passes since his death. These past six months have been like I’m slowly coming out of a fog. I’m starting to question shit I never gave a second thought to before. Likewhy did Ifall for him out of the blue after years of turning him down?Whydid I leave my whole life without much of a fight?Whydid I stay with him when he constantly treated me like shit?

I used to be a strong, take no shit woman before I started dating Harris. I wouldn’t just change my whole personality like I did. Hell, I didn’t even remember my favorite flower, or my favorite drink. Why? How could I forget that? How could I go from being a bad ass bitch and sticking up for everyone to not even standing up for myself?

While I’m mulling over the past ten years of my life, Nate starts cooking on the grill he just magicked me, and the guys magic me a bigger table so we can all eat together. I randomly pick a seat and end up with a twin on either side of me. Not quite the twin sandwich I want, but it’s a good start. At least Ayden isn’t acting like he’s mad or disappointed in me anymore. Someday soon we’re all going to have to have a talk... but today doesn’t have to be that day right?

Nate announces the burgers and hotdogs are done, so Ayden goes to the playhouse to get the kids, while Kayden, Hudson, and Declan go inside and bring out everything we need. I try to help, but they just yell at me to sit down. So, here I sit waiting for food to be placed in front of me. The kids come running up and when Violet sees the new table she stops and stares.

“Where’d that come from?” she asks.

“Hudson made it for us. Do you like it? Our old one wasn’t big enough for everyone,” I tell her.

She smiles. “Yeah. It’s nice to have so many friends over and need more room for them,” she says as she takes the seat across from me. “Sit by me Logan,” she urges her new friend.

“Where else would I sit silly?” He rolls his eyes at her as he takes a seat next to her.

The guys finally get everything set out on the table and take their seats as well. I look around and everyone is just sitting there waiting for someone to make their plate first. Violet looks at me when she notices the same thing, and we both burst out into giggles.

“Okay, I guess I’ll go first. Since everyone else is too scared to make a plate,” I tease the guys. I make Violet a plate then make myself one, and the guys finally dig in.

I take a bite of my cheeseburger and moan. Oh my god, this is even better than the burger I had at the Starlight Diner. I look up to compliment Nate on his cooking, only to see all of the guys staring at me with heated expressions. Damn it I did it again, didn’t I?

“Yes Rowen, you did. You really need to stop if you don’t want us all to think about other ways to get you to make that sound,” Declan smirks at me.

“Shut up. It’s not my fault Nate’s a good cook. For real Nate, when did you learn to cook like this? It’s better than the burger I had at the Starlight Diner. And that’s saying something.”

Nate beams at me. “I’m glad you like it, Rowe. And feel free to make those noises any time you want.” Now it’s his turn to smirk at me. I swear these guys and their damn smirks. It’s almost their default look around me.

I glance over at Violet, happy to see she’s too busy eating to pay any attention to our conversation. It’s notthatbad, but I don’t want to have to make up some bs reason for them talking about me moaning. I’ll just have to be more careful when I eat. Which is going to be hard. I’ve always been a vocal eater. Based on the looks the guys are giving me as I eat, I think they’re all for me being vocal about the things I like.

“Okay, who made this mac & cheese?” I ask.

Kayden chuckles next to me. “I did. Why, you like it, Lovely?”

“Ummmyeah!I normally just make Kraft, but oh my god, you’re on mac & cheese duty from now on,” I tell Kayden.

Kayden leans forward so he can see Ayden on the other side of me. “See, told you she would appreciate my homemade mac & cheese.”

“Yeah, yeah. No one said she wouldn’t like it Kay. Just said you didn’thave to. Though I will say, I’m glad you did. It’s much better than the box stuff,” Ayden retorts.

We sit there, eating our dinner and enjoy each other’s company. Once everyone’s done eating, the guys clean up the mess. I could get used to this. Harris never helped cook or clean. Since I didn’t have a job, it was my job to take care of the house. Even though I would have had a job if he would have let me. I think that’s just another reason he didn’t want me to have a job. So, I wouldn’t have to argue that we both worked so we could both clean and cook.

After everything is cleaned up, the kids head back to the playhouse, and Declan starts a fire in the firepit in the backyard. Ayden decides we need some comfy furniture by the firepit, so he magics a couple couches and chairs. I walk over and claim the middle seat of one of the couches. It’s so soft and comfortable, I think I may never get up.

Ayden and Kayden sit on either side of me again. I’m starting to wonder if the guys are doing this on purpose because I’ve spent the least amount of time with them. It wouldn’t surprise me, they’re very thoughtful like that.

The glow of the fire is so hypnotic. I try to get more comfortable on the couch by putting my feet up, but since I’m in the middle, there’s no armrest to lean against. I finally give up and just lean into Ayden. This seems to make him happy because he puts his arm around me and snuggles me in closer. Kayden takes my feet off the couch by his butt and puts them on his lap. The next thing I know, he’s taking my shoes off and rubbing my feet.

“Oh god that feels good,” I moan. The twins squeeze me tighter and I realize I did it again. This time was worse though because it wasn’t just the noise. It was words too... words that I’m sure if any of them had me in bed I would definitely be moaning in a different context.

I wrap my left arm around Ayden’s waist and turn my head to bury my face in his chest. He just chuckles at my embarrassment and runs the fingers of his right hand through my hair as he holds me close with his left.

“Don’t be embarrassed Rowe,” Ayden whispers to me. “I could make you moan better than that if you let me,” he teases me.

I pinch him in his side. “Shut up Ayden. One of these day’s it’s not going to be me making sex noises and you’ll see how it feels,” I retort.

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