Page 87 of Returning to Everton

Nate rolls his eyes at me. “Yeah, she always thought you were hot, but she’s a preppy girl, she ain’t got time for a grease monkey like you. You’re wrong about you getting the least amount of attention from her though. She can’t stand me. She actually avoids me at all costs,” he says with a big, smug smile on his face.

“Oh, yeah, I forgot about that. I think she just learned fast that your allegiance will always lie with Rowen. We tried to be slightly nicer in our brush offs, especially Hudson. I think that’s why he’s gotta deal with her the most, he was always too nice to really put her in her place like you did,” I laugh and smack Declan in the arm. “That’s why she’s so into you, ya know. You’re too polite to tell her she doesn’t have a chance and you’re the clean-cut nice guy type she likes. Plus you’ve never had any connection to Rowen. In her mind that probably made you more attainable than us,” I chuckle. If she only knew.

He groans, “So I’ve noticed. She pissed me off real good at the bakery a few weeks ago, and I went off on her. So, hopefully, she’s had enough of me.”

“Yeah... that doesn’t sound like Britney at all dude, sorry,” I chuckle at the defeated look on Declan’s face.

We hear an annoying beeping and Dec pulls his phone out of his pocket. “Pizza will be here soon,” he informs us.

“Alright, I’ll go in and get plates and drinks ready, you go wait by the door for them. Hud, Nate? One of you go get the kids please,” I pass out jobs and everyone stares at me like I’ve lost my mind. Can’t blame them really, I never take the lead like this. I always leave that to Hudson and Declan. “Oh, stop staring at me and do it already. I am allowed to take charge every fucking now and then okay,” I grumble, as I get up and walk over to the porch to the sound of laughter.

As I’m getting paper plates out, I hear the doorbell ring and see Declan running by to answer it. I just shake my head at him and go back to getting drinks out. Declan walks in carrying an armful of pizza and sets it all down on the counter.

“Think we should try calling them?” I ask uncertainly. “I don’t wanna have to explain to the kids where they went.”

“Nah, they’ll be back. Stop worrying. We’ll just tell the kids they had to go somewhere, but they’ll be back soon,” he reassures me.

“Alright if you say so,” I concede.

The door opens to Logan and Violet, who are talking animatedly about the game they were just playing, Nate and Hudson follow them in. I line up all the pizzas and open them so we can see which one is which.

“Alright, come find your pizza and make your plate,” I instruct, and the kids run over and load their plates. “What do you want to drink? We have orange soda, juice, or Kool-Aid,” I offer.

“I want Kool-Aid please!” Violet cheers and I chuckle as I make her a cup.

“Me too,” Logan agrees, and they take their seat at the table with their plates.

They dig in, and it seems Violet got her mother’s love of food. She groans at her first bite. “Mmmm this is so gooood,” she voices her approval. “Good call on the pizza Logan. You have good taste. First the cheeseburger, fries, and shake, then the cookies, and now the pizza… I think I may have you choose my food for me all the time,” she giggles.

Logan beams at her praise. “Thank you! I know all the good places to eat around here. I can totally help you find the best food to eat.”

The guys and I smile at their interaction and fill our own plates. Once we’re all seated at the table, Violet finally notices her mother is missing.

“Where’s Mommy?” she asks with her cute little brow furrowed.

“She had to do something with Kayden. They’ll be back soon, don’t worry,” Declan reassures her.

“Okay!” she shrugs and goes back to eating her pizza. Well, that was easier than I thought it would be.

Declan leans over and whispers in my ear, “Told ya.” I just shake my head and eat my pizza. Cheese Louise really is the best pizza joint.

About five minutes into dinner, Kayden and Rowen come walking into the kitchen. Everyone looks up at their entrance.

“Welcome back. You’re just in time for pizza, it got here a couple minutes ago,” I inform them. “Y’all find what you were looking for?”

They share a knowing look and smile at each other. “Yup! It was right where I thought it’d be,” Rowe responds cheerfully.

“What were you looking for Mommy?” Violet asks.

“Just something I thought I lost, sweetie. I haven’t seen it in years, thankfully Kayden knew just where to find it.” I choke on my drink at her double entendre and Declan smacks me in the back.

“Oh, okay Mommy! I’m glad you found it!” she says cheerfully and goes back to eating. I love it when kids are easily placated. I would be asking a whole lot more questions, but thankfully Violet seems more interested in her pizza than what her mom’s been up to.

I eye my brother as he gets his pizza and takes a seat across from me, pulling out a chair for Rowen. He looks better than I’ve seen him in years. I don’t know what they were up to for that hour they were gone, though I have some ideas, but it obviously did both of them a lot of good.

Once the kids are done with their pizza, they throw away their trash, and rush over to their parents. “Can we go play some more Mommy? Please?” Violet begs Rowen.

Rowe looks at her phone to see what time it is. “I guess… but just for a little while. You both have school tomorrow. You need to get a bath and get in bed soon.” Her eyes widen when she realizes she spoke for Declan and she starts to backpedal. “I mean… Violet,” she stammers until Declan saves her.

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