Cold Hearted

Chapter Seven

Everett didn't seem too happy about James and I showing up on his doorstep. However Danni made a beeline for James, immediately asking him to paint her nails.

One night, James and Gabby came over for a movie night and James said he could paint nails. We asked him to prove it on Danni and he came through. Her nails looked better than mine for about an hour before she began to chip the polish.

"Hey, Everett, this is James," I said, motioning to the tall, beaming boy beside me. James smiled and put out his hand.

"We've met before, but not properly," James said, his hand still hanging in the air. Everett looked between us and after he didn't take James' hand, it was lowered back to his side.

James cleared his throat awkwardly, and I raised my eyebrow at Everett.

"Are you going to let us in? Danni wants James to paint her nails," I said, and as if to illustrate my point, and bouncy six year old began to giggle.

"Fine."

Everett moved aside and welcomed James and I into his home.

I had gotten used to the scent of his house. It smelt like tea and wood. Mrs. Sanders sat at the colorful kitchen table, and I watch James take in all the color.

His eyes widened at the red shelves in the living room.

"Hello Emma! Who's your friend?" Mrs. Sanders asked as Danni continued to pull on James' hand.

"This is James, he works with me," I smiled. James waved at her and she grinned back at him.

"Where is your nail polish?" Danni asked Mrs. Sanders. The woman told her and Danni gleefully led James upstairs.

"He's handsome," Mrs. Sanders winked and Everett scoffed behind me.

I turned to see him pouting at the kitchen counter, sitting on the blue stool.

"What?" I asked, crossing my arms. I had to force down a smirk in Everett's direction. Was he jealous of James?

"He's not that good looking," Everett said, running a hand through his brown hair. His eyes met mine and my heart jumped a little.

Keep it in control, Em.

I decided to ignore his comment about James' appearance. Rider slowly entered the kitchen, rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"How was your nap buddy?" I asked, scooping him up into my arms.

"Good," he spoke. Rider was three, but full sentences still weren't his thing.

Suddenly, a shout came from upstairs.

"James! I said pink! Not magenta!" Danni screamed.

"James?" Rider asked, suddenly perking up. He squirmed to get out of my arms and when I set him down, he bolted for the stairs.

"They really seem to like James, don't they?" Mrs. Sanders asked.

"Yes, James and my friend Gabby are at my house a lot and they're really the only older people besides my mom and I that my siblings get to see. James likes them, and so they like him back," I grinned. "He'll make a great dad one day," I added, hoping Everett heard it.

He stood up, padding out of the room quickly in his sock feet. I knew my comment had gotten to him and I had to hold back a chuckle.

"Don't mind Everett, he's just sensitive," Mrs. Sanders spoke. Her voice was soft and she seemed upset.

I decided not to ask, going upstairs.

I heard a commotion going on in the bathroom, but before I got there, I knocked on Everett's door.