Page 53 of Returning to Everton

“Just give him some time Rowen. He’ll cool down then come back. It’ll be okay,” Declan reassures me.

Damn it, he read my mind again, didn’t he? His answering smirk confirms my fears. Oh fuck. Did he hear my rambling about not being able to do that again because of the guys?

“Of course, I did Rowen. Don’t worry about it. We’ll talk about it later okaya mhuirnín,”he vows, and there’s no arguing with him. We do need to actually talk about it. I can’t just think something and expect him to not have anything to say about it. He smirks at me again and I roll my eyes.

“Alright let’s go outside. It’s such a nice day, I don’t want to be cooped up inside,” I declare and everyone follows me out.

Just as we step outside, we see Violet dragging Ayden into her playhouse. She loves that thing so much; she wants to show everyone.

“Can I go play with Violet, Dad?” Logan asks.

“Let’s wait until Uncle Ayden comes out then you can go. Okay?” Declan suggests.

Logan sighs at that, but agrees. I go to sit down at my patio table, it’s much too small for this crowd, so only a few guys can sit with me. Declan offers to stand, and the guys tell me about their weeks. I’ve missed this kind of small talk. It’s nice to just sit here and talk about our days.

After a while, Ayden comes out of the playhouse. Logan is bouncing in place like he’s ready to get over there as soon as Declan says the word. Ayden waves him over and he turns to his dad to get permission before rushing over to him. After a brief talk, Logan runs over to the playhouse and knocks on the door. Violet opens it almost immediately and they both disappear inside.

Ayden walks over to us on the porch, looking a lot calmer and more relaxed than the last time I saw him. Seems my little girl has a way with these guys. Every one of them has quickly gotten wrapped around her little finger.

When Ayden climbs up the porch, he praises Nate on the playhouse. He really did a great job. Violet would live in there if I let her. We get to talking about our old clubhouse in the woods and it brings back memories. Our house wasn’t as good as Violet’s. We each had a hand in designing it, so it fit each of our personalities, but we didn’t know we could make it change to suit our needs at the time, like Nate apparently knows now. That’s probably a good thing though. After seeing what it turned into when Declan and I were in there alone, I don’t want to know what it would have turned into with four teenage boys.

Although, now that we’re older, and those teenagers are now smoking hotmenI can’t say I wouldn’t enjoy getting a look at what they want in a room like that. Maybe we can fix another room, or our old clubhouse to change like that. I would feel too uncomfortable to do anything like that in my daughter’s playhouse. Talk about creepy. But our own private magical room? Sign me up.

Declan groans and I snap my head up.Damn it, Declan! Stay out of my head!He just smirks at me.

Ayden pulls me out of my thoughts, asking me if I want a drink. I tell him to surprise me and he goes inside, Declan following after him. The others are looking after them like they really want to be a part of whatever conversation is going on in there, so I try to distract them.

“So Hudson, I’m unpacked... when can I start work?” I ask.

He chuckles at me. “Why are you in such a hurry to go to work Rowe? Settle in, go explore the town with Violet. I’m sure things have changed at least a little since you left, and Violet hasn’t seen a town like Everton before.”

“I know, and I will. I’m actually looking forward to showing Violet the town. I’m just really excited to get to work,” I tell him

“What do you meangetto work?” Nate demands. “Are you telling me you haven’t had a job?”

Damn it. Why do I keep opening my big mouth? I rub my forehead and take a deep breath. “No Nate. Harris said he had a good job and I didn’t need to work. I argued with him for a while, but I finally gave in, just wanting to keep the peace. When Violet was born I preferred to stay home with her, so it wasn’t a big deal. But now that Violet is older, I think it’s time I did something with my life. Not that raising Violet isn’t doing something... gah. You know what I mean. I want to do something for me.”

“You can start Monday,” Hudson says. “I’ll come pick you up at four a.m.”

“Jesus. Don’t you need anyone to work the night shift? That is ungodly early Hud. You know I’m not a morning person,” I whine.

He just chuckles. “You’ll get used to it. Besides Violet will be starting school soon, and you’ll want to work while she’s at school. So, no night shift,” he tells me.

“She doesn’t go to school at four a.m. Hudson!” I exclaim.

“I know that doofus. I live with not only a child, but also a teacher,” he smirks at me and I stick my tongue out at him. “I’ll keep coming in early and you can come in after you get Violet to school.”

“Oh. That would be better. What time does school start here?” I ask.

“School starts at eight a.m. So, you can get your beauty sleep, get Violet sent off to school, then come help me at the bakery. I’ll have you working early with me the first few weeks before school starts just so you can get used to the set up and learn my recipes. Then you’ll be baking mostly on your own throughout the day while I deal with customers. Until you want to switch and you deal with customers.”

“Great Hud! Thanks. I can’t wait,” I give him a big smile, then look over when I hear the door open.

Ayden walks over and gives me my drink and I gasp as I see what it is. “Oh my god, it’s been so long since I’ve had one of these!” I exclaim as I admire the orange soda in my hand.

The guys all look at me like I’m crazy. I mean I understand their confusion. Sunkist has always been my favorite soda. They wouldn’t understand why I haven’t had one in years. I really don’t want to talk about it either. Every time I mention how I haven’t done something because of Harris, they all get this look in their eyes. Like they want to resurrect him just so they could kill him themselves.

“What do you mean you haven’t had any in so long?” Ayden asks. “That’s your favorite drink Rowe. You can’t tell me they don’t have Sunkist in normalville,” he scoffs.

---