Page 55 of Returning to Everton

“Oh, honey. You can make me make those noises any time you want. In fact, right now would be fine with me,” he challenges.

I look up at him and can tell by the look in his eyes, he’s not joking. Not even a little. If I wanted to climb in his lap and have my way with him right now in front of everyone, he would be perfectly happy with that. I bite my lip as I gaze into his smoldering blue eyes. I’m about to say something I may regret when I’m interrupted by my phone ringing. I snap out of my sex crazed stupor and pull my phone out of my pocket. If it were anyone else, I would ignore it, but I can’t ignore my mom. She’d just show up and demand to know why I didn’t answer her call.

“Hey, Mom. What’s up?” I greet my mother. The guys all sit up straight when they hear who I’m talking to. Kayden and Ayden even stop touching me. I shake my head at them and sit up.

“Hi, honey. Just calling to check on you. Make sure you’re settling in okay. I haven’t seen you since you got to town, so I wanted to make sure you were okay,” she mom guilts me.

I rub my forehead in exasperation. “I just talked to you yesterday Mom. Don’t we have plans for dinner tomorrow?” I remind her.

“Well, yes. But I just wanted to make sure you haven’t forgotten. We lost touch when you married and moved away. You know I blame that on Harris. Since you’re finally back, I want us to be closer, like we used to be dear.”

I sigh. “I know, Mom. I’m sorry. We will be close again, don’t worry. I’ve just spent the whole week getting unpacked and setting up the house. Quinn and I are going shopping tomorrow, then Violet and I are coming over to see you and Dad for dinner,” I reassure her.

“Well, okay then. You know I just worry about you dear. You changed when you married Harris. I really hope you come back to yourself now that you’re home. Have you seen the boys yet?” she asks.

I look up at the guys and smile. I’m totally going to throw them under the bus. “Yes, Mom. They’re actually all over here now. We had a cookout. Nate made hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill and Kayden made homemade mac & cheese,” I tell her and watch as each of the guys’ eyes widen.

“Oh, they’re there now? Why wasn’t I invited to this cookout?” she scolds me.

Damn, I didn’t think about how she would turn that around on me. “Because I wanted to have a nice quiet dinner with you and dad tomorrow,” I try to placate her.

“Well, you should do a better job lying if you want me to believe that crap Rowen Lynn. What you really mean is you wanted to spend some alone time with your boys now that you can see them again,” she chastises me.

“Okay, Mom. I’m sorry. You’re right,” I agree.

“That’s better. You should know not to lie to me like that young lady. I know you too well, even if you haven’t been yourself for a while. I’m your mother dear, I’ll always know you. There’s never been any reason for you to lie to me about those boys. I know how you feel about them Rowen. I always have. I hope you’re able to tell them what I've always known. You’re good for each other. All of you, including Declan. He needs a good woman in his life,” she informs me.

Oh god. “Mom can we talk about this tomorrow please?” I beg her.

She chuckles. “Why? Can they hear me? Boys! My daughter is in love with you!” she hollers into the phone as I hang up on her and turn my phone off.

I look up and everyone is staring at me.

“So what did Momma Cabot say?” Hudson is the first to ask.

“She said I’m a horrible daughter for not seeing her all week and I should have invited her to our cook out tonight. Even though we already had plans to have dinner at her house tomorrow,” I tell them, leaving out the parts about them. They don’t need to know that yet.

“I’m sure that’s all she said Rowe,” Ayden smirks at me.

“Shut up. Don’t y’all need to go home?” I tease them. That shuts them up quick, seems no one is in a hurry to go home.

“Not at all. Now get back over here,” Ayden says as he pulls me back into him. I get comfortable once more and Kayden starts rubbing my feet again while we all just relax in front of the fire. This is nice.

A while later I find myself in Ayden’s arms, being carried to my bed.

“You fell asleep sweetheart. Nate put Violet to bed, so I’m putting you to bed, then we’re gonna head home,” he tells me.

I just nod my head against his chest. After he lays me down and covers me up, I thank him.

“Anything for you Rowe. You know that. Sweet dreams,” he says then kisses me on the top of my head.

I fall right back to sleep as soon as he walks away. That night, I dream about a nice comfortable life with all of the guys. We share our joys and our sorrows. We enjoy each other’s company, and find ways to make each other’s lives better. It’s pretty much the opposite of the life I had with Harris. The life Ishouldhave had.

21

Declan

After Ayden gets Rowen nestled up in bed, we head home. I’ve been dreading this all night. This is when I face the firing squad. I know they’re all mad about the kiss, and they know something is up. They’re not dumb enough to think that was our first kiss. Now, I have to explain myself and come clean. It’s not going to be pretty.

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