Cold Hearted

Chapter Twelve

Everett and I drove silently down the rode.

Well, not completely silent. The truck rattled and creaked like it might fall apart at any moment. As for speaking, Everett kept his eyes focused on the road.

We came to a stop sign and once I began to go again, the guy waiting to our right floored it through the intersection. My foot slammed onto the brakes and I felt a force shove me back into my seat.

The wind got knocked out of my chest and I looked down to see Everett's arm placed across my chest. He was breathing heavy now and his eyes were wide.

"Hey, Everett, are you alright?" I asked, trying my best to keep my voice low. He met my gaze and swallowed, seeming to realize how much he had overreacted.

"Um, yeah."

I smirked, "Now you're saying it."

"Huh?" Everett raised an eyebrow at me.

"You said 'um'," I pointed out and a small look of relief crept over his features. He didn't smile, but I knew it was close enough.

Once we arrived at the store, Everett and I hurried inside. The wind battered us around on our way in, so when we finally made it through the front doors our faces were red and puffy.

"You grab the milk, I'll grab the coffee grounds. Get 2% okay?" Everett entrusted me with a task.

I nodded and we split up.

I turned a corner much faster than I realized and ran right into someone.

"I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed, bending down to pick up their bag of chips and box of cereal. When I stood back up, my eyes met those belonging to the last person I wanted to see.

Gabby' cousin, Thomas, stood there smirking at me.

"Hey Emma," he grinned, reaching up to run his hand through his hair. Yes he was attractive, but his attitude brought everything about him down.

"Hi Thomas," I groaned, "listen, I really have to get some milk, so I'll talk to you after winter break."

"Woah," Thomas sputtered as he put his arm out to stop me. I instantly shrank away from him.

"Thomas-"

"What's the hurry? I know your mom ran out on you and your siblings. It's the talk of the town. So I also know you've got that house all to yourself. How about we go home and have some fun?" Thomas' smile grew wider.

"No thanks," I snapped, narrowing my eyes at him. He didn't seem phased in the slightest.

Thomas only moved his free arm around me and grabbed onto my waist. I shoved him away from me, getting about a foot between us when my phone chimed.

I took it out to see Everett had texted me to tell me he was ready to check out.

"Thomas, I have to go," I tried reasoning. His eyes grew dark and he frowned at me.

"Just be careful with that Sanders kid. You don't know what he's done. Why do you think they had to move?" Thomas growled.

I shoved past him, not wanting to hear any of it. I finally found the milk and I practically sprinted back to Everett.

"Took you long enough," he smiled at me. Seeing his grin refreshed my mind and I smiled back.

"Yea I ran into someone," I said, debating on asking him about Thomas' warning.

Everett and I made it safely back home and I had put away the groceries when the idea of not asking him became too much. I entered his room, opening the door slowly. Everett sat on his bed, typing away on his laptop.

I cleared my throat and his eyes flicked up to mine. He didn't say anything, but simply waited for me to tell him what I needed.

"Um, you're obviously busy, I'll just-"

"No, Emma, what is it?" he asked, pulling his laptop halfway closed.

I grabbed onto the hem of my shirt and let out a breath of preparation.

"The person I ran into was Thomas, he's a horrible jerk who always flirts with me. But he's harmless," I began. At this information, Everett's welcoming smile twisted into a frown.

"Did he hurt you?" he demanded, closing his laptop all the way now and standing to meet me at his bedroom door.

"No, he just said some things about you. Like he knew you," I admitted, dating to peek into his eyes.

Everett seemed at a loss for words.

"What did he say?" he finally got out.

"That I should be careful around you and that I don't know what you've done. That you had to move because of something you did," I spoke but my breath caught on almost every word.

Instead of answering me, Everett softly guided me just outside of his bedroom and softly shut to the door between us. I was left staring blankly at the door, wondering what had just happened.

"Everett? You don't have to tell me, but please don't ignore me," I spoke up so he could hear me through the door.

It stayed quiet.

What a stubborn ass, I thought.

I plopped down right outside of his door and leant up against it. I would wait until he was ready. I would wait all night.

Was I the stubborn ass?

--

Suddenly, I was falling backwards and a foot was stepping directly onto my shoulder. I cried out in pain and surprise.

Everett cursed loudly as he fell back himself to try and alleviate my pain.

"Emma! What the hell!" he shouted.

"Language!" We heard his mother call from down the hall.

"I guess I fell asleep waiting," I whimpered, standing up and holding my shoulder.

"Why?"

I looked at him, waiting for him to clarify but he didn't.

"Well because I want to know why you had to move," I smiled. "But you don't have to tell me right now."

"No, I was actually coming to get you. So I could tell you more about me."

"Really?"

"Really," he sighed, but a hint of a smile grew on his lips.

We entered his room and he softly shut the door behind us. I sat down on his bed and Everett let out a long breath.

"So, let's start with Jasmine."