Page 52 of Surviving in Everton

Walking up to him, I wrap my arms around his waist, and he closes his around me tightly. After a few moments, I can feel him starting to relax.

“Please don’t ever do that again. Not without warning me, and having some kind of system in place so we can at least get a hold of you if something happens,” he pleads into my hair.

“I promise. I’m sorry you were so worried. Even though I don’t really understand why.”

Nate growls at me, but doesn’t move or comment on my statement.

“Alright, big guy, come on, we’ve got some talking to do.” He lets me pull away, but he’s definitely not happy about it.

He’s so unhappy with me not being in his arms anymore, he actually scoops me up off of my feet and carries me to his chair, where he sits down and settles me back on his lap. I look around and catalogue the various expressions everyone is giving me. Ayden and Kayden are giving me matching heated looks. Like they know what happened in that bedroom and they want to be next. Quinn is smirking at me, enjoying my embarrassment. West gives me a curious look, but is mostly discreetly checking out Quinn. My eyes finally settle on Declan. Out of everyone, he’s the calmest, but he can read minds and feel my emotions, so I’m sure he wasn’t worried when he got here and I was locked away. In fact, he’s probably thankful that Hudson got me to rest.

“I really am,A Stor. You clearly needed the rest. You look refreshed.” He smirks at me.

I roll my eyes at him. “Whatever. Is everyone ready for story time now?” That gets their attention. I look over at Hudson and give him a reassuring smile.

He takes a deep breath, then proceeds to tell everyone about how he found BB in the cereal aisle, just like West said he would.

“It took a little convincing, but she believed me when I told her things weren’t as great with Rowen as I thought they would be. I told her she wasn’t the same person she used to be. She actually askedmeto get a drink at the bar tonight. But I didn’t think we’d have the potion ready by then so I told her I was having dinner with my parents, but I could do it tomorrow night. So the location has moved, but it’s probably better this way. We can’t get in trouble for her telling the truth if she’s drinking alcohol. That’s what happens when you drink too much after all,” Hudson snarks.

“So what time are you meeting her?” Kayden asks.

“Seven. So we need to get everything together for the potion. Nate’s gonna need to give it to her,” he replies.

“Oh, we’ll be able to make the potion tonight no problem. I’ve already got everything I need,” Ayden announces.

“Should someone test it to make sure it works before we give it to her? I mean when was the last time you made that Ayd? What if you’ve lost your touch?” I ask. “Also… not it!”

“I can’t do it, because I have to be able to lie to her tomorrow. Sorry.” Hudson shrugs with a completely unbelievable frown.

“Oh! I know! Let’s test it out on the kids!” Ayden exclaims. “They’re not supposed to be lying to anyone anyway. What could it hurt?”

“What?! Are you fucking crazy?!? We’re not testing your spell on the kids, Ayden!” Nate explodes. If I weren’t currently sitting in his lap, he would have for sure jumped up when Ayden suggested that. And quite possibly would have fought him.

“Oh calm down. It’s not dangerous, damn. I wouldn’t endanger them like that. You know that,” Ayden defends.

“I want it on record that I think that is a terrible idea,” I agree with Nate.

“Oh, I don’t. I think it will be highly entertaining,” Quinn retorts with an evil smile.

“Besides, Violet is so sweet, she couldn’t possibly say anything bad,” Ayden contends.

“Oh, Ayden. You poor naive boy. Don’t ever trust the sweet ones. They have the worst thoughts,” Declan warns.

I snap my gaze to him in concern. “Violet?”

“No,A Stor, I haven’t heard anything bad from her. Just saying, in general, it’s the sweet ones that are the naughtiest.” He winks at me.

I blush and look down as everyone laughs at my embarrassment. “Ugh, whatever. Ayden, go make the potions and we’ll test them tonight.”

“Yes ma’am!” He jumps up, salutes me and leaves to a chorus of groans.

“Do y’all really think this is a good idea?” I ask uneasily.

“It’ll be fine, Lovely. I agree with Ayden, I don’t think she’ll say anything too bad. Not saying she won’t surprise us, but I don’t think she’s going to admit to being a secret ax murderer or something,” Kayden reassures me.

“Okay, but there will be rules about this. Everyone will be careful what they say to her until it wears off. I will tell her before we do it. If for any reason she says she doesn’t want to, one of you will get it instead. End of story,” I declare with finality.

“Of course, Sugar. We would never do anything to make her uncomfortable. She knows what’s going on, we’re not hiding it from her. I agree that it would be best to let her know what we’re doing. Explain it’s the only way to get BB to tell us what spell she used so we can help you. We’ll also make sure she knows this is a one time thing, and she shouldn’t do it,” Hudson asserts.

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