Page 90 of Surviving in Everton

Chapter 36

Kayden

Idon’t know what Rowe was so nervous about. I mean, yeah the moms were upset at first, but they all missed her so much, they got over it real fast, and all was forgiven when they met Violet. That little girl just walks around stealing everyone’s hearts, I swear. The kids were so excited when they got home and saw the surprise we made for them once Rowe and Declan left. They’ve been swimming for hours now.

With the kids sufficiently distracted, we decide to go ahead and fill the parentals in on everything that’s been going on with Rowen. We had to add more couches to the sitting area and Declan makes a magical barrier so the kids can’t hear what we’re talking about.

“What’s this about, son? We don’t need a barrier to talk,” my dad states with his arms crossed and jaw set.

The women stop talking and look around, noticing the barrier for the first time.

“What’s going on, sweetie?” Mom asks gently.

Glancing at Declan, I thinkwho’s gonna tell them?

“I may have been keeping something from you. That could possibly be why I haven’t invited any of you over before now.” Rowe fidgets in her seat while avoiding eye contact with any of the parents.

“Rowen. What do you mean you’ve been keeping something from us?!” Momma Cabot turns her evil mom glare on Rowe, and I’m a little afraid for her safety now.

“I didn’t want to worry you-” she starts before Momma Cabot cuts her off.

“I had reason to beworried?! Rowen Marie! You start talkingrightnow!”

“I’mtryingto, Mother. Let me start by saying, I’mfine. Everything has been taken care of, so please don’t freak out like I know you’re going to.” She holds her hands up, warding off any comments. When no one makes any such promises, she huffs and gives her own evil mom glare back.

Momma Cabot finally relents, just a little and gives Rowe the smallest nod.

“Well, it turns out, Harris had been spelling me the entire time we were together. The constant magic entering my body collected on my brain and was affecting my memory, personality, and well… slowly killing me.”

That’s when the barrier Declan put up comes in handy, because every parent stands up and starts yelling at the same time.

“What do youmeanyou were spelled?!” Momma Hopkins shrills.

“I knew he was bad news when you brought him home,” Dad chimes in.

“That asshole did that to you?! I oughta bring him back just to kill him again!” Mom yells.

“You weredyingand didn’t tell me?!” Momma Cabot screeches.

“Well, first of all, I really just found out. Everything happened so fast, and I wasn’t myself for a while. I’m really thankful for the guys and West figuring out who did this and making the potion that got rid of the magic.” Rowe looks at each of us with soft eyes.

“Well, then one ofthemshould have told us! We’re yourfamilyRowen! Don’t you think we deserved to know something was wrong with you?!”

Mr. Cabot walks over, getting between them. He gently guides his wife back to her seat, sitting down with her, rubbing her back as he tries to calm her down.

“I told them not to. I didn’t want to tell anyone until we knew what was going on. By that time there wasn’t anything to tell. Hudson had gotten the spell from Britney and Declan and Ayden made the potion. I went to the doctor today and he says I’m better than new. I go back next week. But now that the magic is gone, I’m not having any memory problems, honestly, I remember more than I wish I did.” Her eyes glaze over as she no doubt recalls some of the twisted memories that were restored just hours ago.

“Oh, Rowen.” Momma Cabot reaches for her and she collapses onto the seat next to her, falling into her open arms.

Rowe sobs in her mom’s arms as everyone else attempts to give them some vague sense of privacy. I can’t though. Feeling her sorrow slam into me, and not being able to do anything about it, all I can do is sit and watch her mother rock her, whispering calming, reassuring words. It takes everything in me not to go over there and take her from the comforting arms of her mother and console her myself.

I finally realize thereissomething I can do to help. I take a page out of Rowe’s book and send love and comfort down whatever line connects us. Declan must have caught that thought, because I feel more and more love and good feelings flowing to her. Looking around, I notice all of the guys are focused on Rowe, who gasps and snaps her head up. Her eyes bounce between each of us and I vow right then, I will do everything in my power to never let her feel like that again. The desolate look in her eyes is one I never want to see again.

I only got a glimpse of it before it was quickly replaced with love and appreciation. Obviously whatever we did worked, because I can see her spirits lift before my very eyes. She slowly smiles, letting out a soft sigh, then mouths “Thank you.” I grin, nodding.

“So what exactly did this spell you were under do? Is that why you were with him and didn’t fight his stupid rules?” Momma Cabot asks.

“Yeah. It was.” Rowe sighs. “It was mostly a controlling spell, mixed with a love spell. He was able to get me to do whatever he wanted.”

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