“I’ll stay here,” Lizzy says.
My tired muscles shake when I stand with Everlee in my arms. “Donna? Do you want to go with us?”
She tilts her chin up. “I think…” she stares at Everlee, “I think you all have it handled, but I’d ask you call to give me updates?”
“Of course, ma’am.”
She nods slightly, still trying to process and piece together what she witnessed. Questions clearly weighing on her mind. Hopefully, she just saves them until we’re back instead of unloading them on Lizzy. This conversation should probably be handled delicately, and Lizzy… well… is a raging bull in a china shop.
“Evy,” she calls out. “You’ve always been the dramatic one. If you didn’t want to cook breakfast for dinner with me tonight, you could have simply said that instead of doing all this to get attention.” Her words are joking, but the quiver in her voice gives away her emotion. She’s scared.
“I love you.”
“I love you.” She wipes a tear from her face with the back of her hand.
EVERLEE - TRUTH BE TOLD
Abeachhousehasnever looked as good as it does right now. The weird pinkish hue the setting sun shines on it makes it almost glow. Or it could be the tint on the windows. I was instructed not to touch the door, because Callum insisted he open it. The boys have been babying me since my near drowning accident. I told them on the beach I was fine, but they insisted I go to the hospital, so we all waited there for a couple of hours before the doctor gave me the thumbs up. And when I say all waited there… we all five waited in a tiny ass triage room. The room itself wasn’t tiny, but to have four oversized men in the room with the doctor and the nurses, it was tiny. I noticed several of the nurses doing laps and staring into the room.
Yes. My men are hot and it didn’t help they were still not wearing a shirt, since they came straight from the beach. At one point, the doctor had to come in and tell them they needed to go to the gift shop to buy a shirt since they were distracting his team. The guys, of course, had to rock, paper, scissors to figure out who had to leave.
Knox lost.
And had the boys been concerned with that fact, instead of me, they would have realized what a bad idea it was, sending Knox to get shirts for everyone. He came back with the most flamboyant and colorful Hawaiian print shirts he could find. He said there wasn’t a lot to pick from, but I don’t believe him. Seeing them all, Jax and Callum, especially, in Hawaiian print shirts, made me laugh to the point of crying.
When the car door opens, Knox moves to lift me into his arms, but I hold my arm out. “While I love being in your arms, I can walk this short distance.”
“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”
“Knox,” I scold.
He grimaces, causing me to chuckle.
We walk through the door and Lizzy comes barreling around the corner, arms wide open and screaming like a crazy lady. “Boo boooo!!”
“Lizzy,” Jax says sternly, stepping in between us, holding his arm out.
Placing my hand gently on his arm, I push him out of the way. “It’s ok Jax.”
Lizzy waits a beat then gobbles me in her arms. “Don’t you do that to me again!” she yells, then whispers, “You need to talk to your mom. She was asking questions, though she would never come out and just askthequestion about you and the guys.” She pushes me away and looks over at me. “What did the doctor say?” Then pulls me back in for another hug and whispers, “Asking about the men, if they're good to you, if you’re happy.” She pushes me away again and I’m beginning to get dizzy.
“Lizzy.” I mouth thank you and give her a little wink. “I’m all good. Just sucked in a little too much water. The doctor said near drownings can happen even with life jackets if you keep getting water splashed in your face. Between the current and waves…”
“So you’re saying you couldn’t keep your mouth closed?”
“Seems like that would be your problem instead of mine.” I laugh and she shrugs. “Doctor just said I need to be watched throughout the night, but should be ok.”
Lizzy’s eyes grow wide because she knows what that means and also knows that the men are going to want to be with me the entire night.
Over Lizzy’s shoulder, I see my mom walk into the room and look at all of us, followed by Beckett and Will.
“Sissy!” Beckett throws his arms wide and runs over dramatically, mocking Lizzy. “Are you ok, my love?” He pulls me in tight, then whispers, “Please on your love of cock, talk to mom. She’s putting pieces together about the men.”
“Yes, I’m ok,” I say, pushing him off me.
Will walks over and gives me a hug. “Thank god you’re home. Becks has been a nervous wreck. Glad you’re ok.”
“Thank you.”
