Page 26 of Surviving in Everton

She giggles again, hopping off of her seat and we go help Logan find something for them to eat.

They finally pick out a snack that meets all of their random requirements for the day and head out back. I stop Logan before he can sneak out though.

“Hey, bud. Keep an eye on her for me, please? I don’t know if she’s told you what’s going on, though I imagine she has, but she’s gonna need a good friend,” I tell him.

“Yeah, I know what’s going on with her mom. That sucks, Uncle Kay. Why would someone do that?” he asks.

“I don’t know, bud. Some people are just mean, and bad people. I’m just glad Violet has you to help take her mind off of everything that’s going on.” I clap him on the shoulder.

“Of course. Like you said, that’s what friends do.” He smiles at me.

“You’re a good boy, Logan. Now go play. Have fun!” I pat his back and he runs off to catch up to Violet.

Chapter 12

Nate

Kayden goes to the kitchen to help the kids get a snack, though I’m sure the real reason is to check in with Violet and make sure she’s really handling all of this okay. It’s a lot for a little kid to take on. That’s why Rowe didn’t wanna tell her, but Violet was right, it’s gotta be easier for her knowingwhyeveryone is feeling the way they are.

Speaking of which,thatwas a huge surprise! I never would have thought that either of them had empathic abilities, but it really shouldn’t be that big of a surprise. I mean as kids, Rowe always knew and understood how we were feeling. Obviously, with the exception of our feelings forher.I always assumed it was because we all spent so much time together, but I guess it was something magical instead.

“So how was everyone’s day?” Rowe asks as she looks around at all of us hovering in her living room.

“Well, you know how my day was.” Hudson smirks at her and now I’m wondering what those two got up to at the bakery by themselves. Judging by Rowe’s blush, I’d say it was definitely fun.

“My day was… busy. Little kids screamin’ and playin’, and most of them bein’ excited to learn some magic. Of course, Violet is doin’ amazin’. She’s so great with the other kids in the class and helpin’ them when they don’t understand how to do somethin’. Which is really ironic since she’s the one that has pretty much been without magic her whole life. Emma is startin’ to come out of her shell more and more with Violet’s insistence and reassurance,'' Declan tells us.

“I’m so glad to hear that. Poor Emma, I wish I knew who her parents were. I’d give them a piece of my mind,” Rowe threatens. The guys and I all share a look, but we weren’t fast enough to hide it from her. “What? What’s that look for?” she questions us.

I clear my throat and scratch at my beard. “You uh… you know her mother,” I admit reluctantly.

“Huh? I know her mother? Surely I don’t know anyone who would treat their child like that. That would have to be a vile… Ooooh. Are you serious right now? That poor girl is BB’s daughter?!?” she shouts in disbelief.

“Unfortunately, I am completely serious,” I tell her. “I’ve never really been around her so I don’t know what kind of person she is. I guess we all just assumed she’d be a mean girl like her mom.” I shrug. “Guess her personality must have come from her dad, who I’ve also never really met, but considering he’s married to BB,” I smile at Rowe when I use her nickname for Britney. It’s too accurate not to use. “I can’t imagine he’s got the balls to stand up to her, and with Emma being so young, she’s been conditioned to just take whatever BB dishes out.”

“Well, that’s awful! Isn’t there something we can do? I mean it sounds like child abuse to me! The poor girl didn’t even know how toplay! What kind of kid doesn’t know how toplay?! The kind that’s been abused,that’swhat kind!” she exclaims, flailing her arms all over the place as she talks animatedly.

“I know,A Stor. I’m tryin’ to figure out what I can do about it, but I don’t want to show my hand. If BB,” Dec rolls his eyes at the nickname. “catches on that I think somethin’ is goin’ on with Emma, she could do anythin’. I don’t wanna spook her, okay? Just give me some more time. I’ll figure somethin’ out, and until then, she has the best friend she could have to help her,'' he tells her.

“Okay, fine. I know you’re right. I just don’t like it. Emma shouldn’t have to live like that,” she declares, and we know it’s just a matter of time before she takes things into her own hands.

Kayden finally comes back into the room and sits next to me. “Everything okay?” I whisper in his ear.

“Yeah, had a little talk with our girl. Needed to make sure she’s really doing okay,” he whispers back.

“And? She good?” I ask him.

“She is now. I’ll tell you about it later,” he replies and I nod in agreement.

“Well, now that Kayden is back, we can talk aboutmyday,” Ayden interjects to a round of chuckles and eye rolls.

“Okay Ayd, lay it on us. What’s this big important news you found out today? I know you’ve been dying to tell us.” Rowen smiles at him.

“Okay, so I met up with West today,” he starts.

“West? West Mitchell?” Rowe asks with her brows furrowed.

“Yeah. You remember West?” Ayden asks her. Rowe just sits there with a stunned look on her face and slowly nods.

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