Page 44 of Surviving in Everton

“Get back!” I shout at the twins.

I can’t let her hurt them like this. She’d never forgive herself. Thankfully, they must have seen the same thing and understood my warning. They both jump out of the way as magic shoots from her hands. The spots where they were just sitting are on fire.

I send water to the couch to put out the fires and watch as Rowen continues her rampage. I know it’s the tumor doing this, but it’s hard for me to see her like this. It’s likeInvasion of the Body Snatchers. Rowen would never in a million years act like this, and nothing I say is helping. In fact, I’m only making things worse, so I finally give up talking to her.

“Rowen!” West shouts at her and she snaps her head in his direction. “That’s enough!” he commands and it’s powerful enough to get all of us to stand at attention. “Calm down and sit.” He points at the ground, like he’s talking to a dog.

It both amazes me and pisses me off when Rowen instantly listens to him.

“Good. Now breathe.” The order is more gentle, but no less commanding. She sucks in a deep breath like she had forgotten how to breathe until he told her to.

“Get her a water!” he snaps at one of the twins.

I’m too astounded by what just happened, to even pay attention as one of them leaves to do his bidding. What the fuck is going on here? Why are we all doing exactly as he says?

Rowen is finally calming down sitting on the couch, following his command to breathe, but I’m more pissed and confused than I was when this all started. Kayden returns and hands West a bottle of water. West then slowly approaches Rowen on the couch with it. When she doesn’t flinch away, he sits beside her and offers her the bottle. She takes it and sucks it down greedily. Once she’s done, West takes the empty bottle.

“Better, Killer?” he asks her tenderly.

I have to seriously bite my tongue, because Rowejustcalmed down and I don’t want to get her riled up again with my petty jealousy, but what the fuck is going on here?

She blinks repeatedly, like she’s coming out of a trance. “West? What happened?” Her voice wobbles and she looks around, no doubt trying to put the pieces together.

“You don’t remember?” he asks her.

“No.” She sighs and shakes her head. “The memory loss seems to go hand in hand with the irrational and uncontrollable bouts of anger.”

“I wouldn’t say it was irrational, but it was definitely uncontrollable. Nate and Hudson both tried to get you to calm down and it only made it worse. Luckily, I was able to reach you. I don’t know where you go when the magic takes over, but you must have heard me, because I was able to get you to come back to us.” He wraps his arm around her and she falls into him.

I look around to see the same expressions of rage on everyone’s faces. I’m not the only one who doesn’t like him holding our girl.

“Thank you, West. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t been here,” she says into his chest, and I finally lose it.

“I do! You wouldn’t have flown off the handle like that in the first fucking place! And you sure as hell wouldn’t be in another man’s arms in front of four of yourboyfriends!” I stand up and gesture to where she’s sitting with her arms around him.

The twins look surprised at my outburst, but nod in agreement. Nate looks furious. When he loses it, it’s going to be way worse.

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?! Are you seriouslyjealousright now? Over West?”

The asshole in question just chuckles and I swear to god, I see red again. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Of course I’m fucking jealous of West right now! He’s holding my girlfriend! Comforting her afterhecalmed her down whenIcouldn’t! How the fuck else am I supposed to feel right now, Rowen? I can tell there’s something between you two. I just wish I fucking knew what!”

Rowen rolling her eyes and shaking her head at me does not help my mood any.

“You’re an idiot, Hudson Hopkins! You all feel the same way? You think I’m having some kind of secret affair with West or something?” she sneers.

“Jesus, Rowe! I never said that! I said there’s something between you. I never said you were sleeping with him!”

“Well then, what? With the way you’re acting, what am I supposed to think you mean by that?! West and I have history, yes, but not in the same way you and I do! I have never thought about him like that, you idiot! Sorry, West,” she apologizes.

He smiles and shrugs. “Don’t be, Killer. You know I’ve got my eye on someone else. Just waiting for her to realize it.” He winks at her and I wanna punch him.

“Wait, what?” I sputter. “You mean you don’t like Rowe?” I look around at the other guys perplexed, feeling like the idiot Rowe called me.

He bursts out laughing in response. “Rowe? No, god no.”

“Hey! Excuse you!” she gasps.

“No offense, Rowe. You know I love you… just not likethat.” He shakes his head.

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