Page 94 of Returning to Everton

“Uh huh, I really believe you, when you can’t stop laughing,” I cross my arms and back away from her.

That sobers her up quickly. “Okay, I really am sorry Hud. I couldn’t help it. I can’t believe she really came over here to tell you that, and with me standing right there too! I mean I was literally in your arms as she’s telling you I’m cheating on you. That was priceless,” she chuckles and shakes her head.

“Yeah, well, hopefully I don’t have to deal with her anymore now that I’ve banned her from the bakery,” I pray. It’ll be a lot more peaceful around here without Britney constantly dropping in.

“Oh, I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of her. Don’t get your hopes up babe,” Rowe helpfully crushes my dream of being Britney free.

The morning rush comes through the door, ending our conversation. I still haven’t told her about the tea tin. Maybe I can wait until tonight. No sense ruining her day, right?

* * *

Six hours later,I am ready for a nap. Thankfully, Mikey will be here to relieve me soon. Rowen has to leave earlier to pick up Violet, but she agreed to have us all over for dinner and serious conversation again tonight. She didn’t seem thrilled by the idea, but I can’t say I blame her. I’ve been dreading telling her all day.

Once Mikey gets here, I head home and tell all the guys the plan for tonight. I get pretty much the same grumble from each of them when I tell them we need to talk. The four words no man wants to hear, but we really do. I stayed up all night trying to find some hint of magic in that damn tin. Then I had to be at work at the ass crack of dawn. I haven’t had time to tellanyonewhat I found. Or what I didn’t find rather.

At five o’clock the twins get home from work and shower before we head over to Rowen’s. Nate is hiding in his room being a grump for some reason, so Declan and I have an interesting conversation while we wait.

“Dude, she’s like an injured baby bird,” Declan tells me. “She’s constantly shrinking in on herself and avoiding eye contact. I don’t know what the hell Britney did to that girl but I’m about ready to report her,” he tells me adamantly.

It must be bad if Declan is thinking about reporting it. At first, I thought she was just a shy kid, but the more he talks about her and her mannerisms and her stray thoughts he picks up, the more I think it could be something much more sinister.

“I’m really glad Violet was there when Emma got there this morning. She immediately went over to her and befriended her like only Violet could. She spent all day with her. She made her sit next to her at my table in class and at lunch. Then she got her to play at recess. Emma always seems reluctant to do anything remotely fun until Violet encourages her and pulls her out of her shell,” he goes on.

“That sounds like Violet,” I chuckle.

“Did Rowe tell you about what happened this morning?” he asks.

I chuckle to myself and rub my hand down my face. “Oh god. Yes, she told me. Then Britney stopped by to tell me herself,” I inform him.

“No way! She really did it?” he rolls his eyes and shakes his head. “I think that woman has a few screws loose. After Rowe left, she basically threw herself at me! She said, ‘if taken women is your kink you could always upgrade to me’ and fluttered her eyes at me.”

“Are you fucking serious?!” I roar. “That bitch thinks she’s anupgradefrom Rowen?!”

“Yeah, my sentiments exactly! I told her as much too. I told her ‘Thanks for the offer, but I’m pretty happy with Rowen. No need to downgrade.’ It took her a while to catch on to what I said. She was pretty pissed once she figured it out. She called Rowe a slut and I told her to get the feck out of my classroom,” he tells me.

“That’s great! I banned her from the bakery too!” We both crack up laughing at that. Even though I’m sure all we really did today was kick a hornet’s nest. “She called Rowe a floozy and I flipped. I can’t imagine what I would have done if she had called her a slut or worse in front of me.”

“Oh, trust me, the only reason I kept my calm was because Violet and Emma were in the room, and other parents and students were just in the hall,” he admits. “Oh, and get this... That bitch is the reason my schedule was so up in the air! She straight-up admitted to messing with shit to get her daughter in my class. Lord knows why. She probably thought it would mean I would have to see her more and thus somehow I would suddenly fall madly in love with her or some bullshit,” he speculates.

“Yeah, that sounds like her.”

The twins come rushing downstairs. “We ready?” Kayden asks.

“Yeah. Someone get Nate and Logan and we can go,” I answer.

Fifteen minutes later we’re walking into Rowe’s house. We find Rowen and Violet in the kitchen. Violet is setting the table and Rowen is finishing up dinner. I did not expect her to cook for all of us, I figured we’d just order out again. I walk up to her and give her a kiss.

“It smells amazing in here! You didn’t have to cook, Sugar. We could have ordered take-out,” I tell her.

“Nonsense! It’s about time I cook you boys a homemade meal. We’re always ordering out or one of you is grilling. Icancook ya know,” she huffs at me.

“Alright, alright, far be it for me to turn down home cookin,” I agree with my hands in the air as I back up smiling.

“Damn right. Now, grab that glass dish and put it on the table,” she commands me. “Nate, come get the bread basket, please. Ayden, Kayden, could you get everyone something to drink?” Rowe directs us.

I dutifully grab the baking dish and take it to the table and get my first look at what has been making my mouth water since I walked in the house. Oh, she made stuffed manicotti. I love Italian. I wonder if she remembers that or if this is just a happy coincidence.

“What about mea mhuirnín?” Declan asks from across the kitchen.

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