Page 24 of Surviving in Everton

“What about Ben? Haven’t y’all been texting since you picked up Violet’s sign?”.

“Ugh, yes we have.” She sighs. “He’s awesome, and I really like him. We can talk about anything and nothing, but it’s beenjusttalk. Sometimes on the phone, but mostly over text. He still hasn’t asked me out on a date. What is taking him so long, Rowe?!?”.

“Oh, sweetie. I don’t know. I’m sure he’ll ask you soon.”

“Well, if he doesn’t ask soon, I’m gonna start looking for his replacement,” she declares. Just then there’s a knock at the door and it opens to reveal Kayden.

“Hey, girls. Got done at work a little early so I thought I’d just come over and keep you company. Hope I’m not interrupting girl time?” he offers with a raised brow.

I look at Quinn in question and she rolls her eyes at me. “Nah, we’re good. We got most of the girly shit out of the way already.” She winks at him.

“Oh, thank god! I mean I’m not that early, the rest of the guys should be along soon, but I don’t wanna listen togirly shit,” he teases with an exaggerated shudder. Quinn and I share a look then both throw pillows at him.

Chapter 11

Kayden

It’s so fucking good to see Rowen smiling. I was worried I’d never get to see her face light up like that again. All it took was some quality girl time with Quinn, to liven her up. For now, at least. I could have easily dodged the pillows they threw at me, but where would the fun in that be? So I let them both hit me and feign injury.

“Oooof.” I groan as I bend over and hold my stomach while the girls have a giggle fit over my antics. God, I love hearing that woman laugh. “Alright, you two. Be nice to me. I was going to make y’all a snack before everyone gets here and it gets crazy again,” I tell them.

Rowen looks at Quinn as she bites her bottom lip. “I mean, I could eat. Think we should be nice?”

Quinn sighs dramatically. “I guess, but it better be a good snack.”

Rowe turns to look at me and nods once. “What she said. Make it good,” she commands then sticks out her cute little tongue at me.

“Watch it, Rowe, or I’ll put that tongue to work,” I tease with a wink.

Quinn groans as I walk away.

I rummage through Rowe’s pantry and fridge trying to find something quick to feed them. Finding some fruit salad, I grab that and dish it out so they can both have their own bowls. Shit can get ugly when Rowe and Quinn have to share food. That’s a mistake I won’t be making any time soon.

Walking back into the living room, I find the two of them huddled together whispering like little school girls.

“Alright you two, break it up. It’s snack time,” I tease.

Breaking apart, they snatch the bowls out of my hands.

“Thanks, Kay.” Rowe smiles at me after she eats a piece of watermelon.

“Anything for you, Lovely. Want something to drink too?”

“Yes!” they both cheer.

I leave them again and come back with their orange sodas just as the door opens to Ayden and Hudson. Giving them a nod, I keep walking towards the girls. I hand them their sodas then kiss the top of Rowe’s head before I take a seat across from them. Hudson and Ayden come over and kiss Rowen hello, even though it really hasn’t been that long since she saw them at the bakery. Then again, I’d never pass up an opportunity to kiss her either, so I can’t really blame them.

“Hey, Quinn,” Hudson greets her. “You have time to stick around? I’m sure Rowe filled you in on what’s going on, but Ayden has some news to share with everyone once Nate and Dec get here.”

“I’m not going anywhere, Hudson.” She gives him the evil eye. “You know damn well I wanna know everything you know.”

“Oh I do, that’s why I was telling you Ayden has news. I didn’t want you to run off cause all of us were here and you thought we were gonna get frisky or something, damn,” he says placatingly.

Nate comes in next. When he gets to Rowe, he pulls her out of her seat and claims her mouth in a passionate kiss that has me looking away.

“I missed you, Kitten.” I hear him groan when he finally pulls away.

“You just saw me last night, silly.” She shakes her head at him.

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