Page 96 of Returning to Everton

Rowen chuckles. “It’s okay with me. Ask Declan if Logan can have some,” she answers.

Violet turns puppy dog eyes on Declan, and he doesn’t stand a chance. “Yes, he can have some ice cream,” he sighs dramatically.

“I’ll get it for them,” Kayden offers.

“How are you feeling Rowe?” I ask her. “I know you’re scared and nervous, but I mean how are youfeeling? Do youfeel any different? Or sick? Anything you can think of that we should tell the doctor about?”

“I don’t know Hud. I feel kind of fuzzy all the time. My memory is spotty at best. My long-term memory I mean. I can remember everything that’s happened lately, but from about a month after Harris died back to… I don’t even know when, it’s like I’m remembering things differently now. I didn’t even know I forgot things until something reminds me of it. Like the bakery name, Sunkist, it’s just random stuff that I’ve completely forgotten. Then there’s memories of events, stuff that Iknowhappened, but I don’t know if they happened the way I think they did,” she groans and pulls her hair. “I’m not explaining this well, am I?”

“You’re doing just fine, Sugar,” I reassure her.

“So, your memory of things since you stopped being given the potion is fine? That means any memory problems from before are caused by the potion,” Declan voices all of our thoughts.

“Yeah, I guess so,” she replies glumly. “Do you think it’s always going to be like this? Will I ever remember the things that potion stole from me?”

I can’t take it anymore. I know Ayden has been holding her all night, but I need her in my arms. Ineedto hold her while I tell her everything will be okay. So, I pull her up and wrap my arms tight around her.

“Everything will be alright,” I say into her hair as I hold her head to my chest while she finally breaks down. “Even if you never get those memories back, we’llalwaysbe here for you. We can make new memories Rowe. As long as you’re in them.”

She nods into my chest, then pulls away and wipes her face. Kayden came back while I was holding her and gave me a questioning look. When Rowe stepped back, he put two and two together. She looks around the room at all of us.

“Can one of you stay the night? I don’t wanna be alone,” she admits in a whisper.

Nate is quick to speak up. “I’m the only one that doesn’t have work in the morning. I’ll stay if you’ll have me?” he asks her hesitantly.

She turns to him and rolls her eyes. “Why wouldn’t I want you to stay Nate? I just asked you to, didn’t I?” she quips.

“Well, not me personally. Besides, I figured you would rather have one of the softer, nicer guys,” he reveals his true fear. That he’s not good enough for her.

“Nathan Hutchins! That is the stupidest thing you have ever said!” she rails on him. “You are just as much mine as any of these other guys! Don’t youdarethink that you’re somehow lower on the nonexistent totem pole!”

Damn. She’s hot when she puts Nate in his place like that. Now I wish I was the one staying the night.

“I’m sorry Rowe. I didn’t mean it like that,” he pleads with her, though we all know that’s exactly how he meant it.

“Yes, you did. Don’t you lie to me,” she tells him. “Now youhaveto stay the night to make it up to me,” she fake pouts.

Nate chuckles. “Whatever you say, Kitten. You don’t have to twist my arm.”

With that settled, the rest of us get ready to head back home. Declan goes to get Logan and I get my goodbye hug before the twins can get to her.

“Good night, Sugar. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” She nods her head at me then pulls me down for a lingering kiss.

Ayden and Kayden both take their turns getting hugs and kisses and we’re ready to go by the time Declan finally drags Logan inside. He walks up to Rowe and pulls her in for a hug and a kiss.

“See you in the morning at drop off?” he asks.

“Yeah. Here’s hoping Britney won’t interrupt us this time,” she chuckles.

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about her. I kicked her out of my class today,” he informs her.

She gasps then bursts out laughing. “You did? So did Hudson! Oh my god that’s so funny!”

The others haven’t heard about what went down this morning, so they’re looking around all confused. “I’ll tell you when we get home. Well, except for you Nate. Come on let’s get out of Rowe’s hair,” I direct, and we all say goodbye again on our way out. Except for Nate, the lucky bastard.

37

Nate

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