Page 110 of Emmett
“I’m very good,” I tell her.
“Nash,” Colt greets me with a nod.
He’s trying to be civil, but it’s obvious that he’s uncomfortable with me around his younger children.I’muncomfortable being around younger children. I actively avoid them, in fact. The last infant that I was around was Tripp, and even then, I was cautious and I kept my distance unless I was playing a careful game with him. Children are fragile; there’s too much inside of them and out that can be too easily broken, and I have never wanted to be a part of that.
Emmett and I tuck into a seat opposite the couch while the little girl sorts through a large stack of games on the table. She seems to have taken charge of the evening, and everyone else seems to be fine with that, as if this happens regularly.
Fowler’s wife sticks to the favor asked of her while we settle into one of the many games laid out, making an effort to be unnervingly sweet to me despite the fact that I know she isn’t genuinely all that fond of me. I may have a better chance at getting into her good graces than any of the others, but never to the level that she’s displaying. Emmett seems pleased with it, though, so I keep my mouth shut and sip on my drink, playing along with her charade. I suppose if I was able to play the role of a villain for so long, a step in the other direction may be refreshing for a night.
The last time that I’d sat around a table playing a game with a family was the week before I came out. Tripp and Brody were both getting over the flu and they’d been absolutely miserable, so instead of joining the rest of the congregation at one of their houses like we usually did afterservice, our parents had the six of us gather around the coffee table, not unlike tonight’s setup, and we played any one of five games that were deemed ‘appropriate’ for us. Tripp laughed so hard that night that he vomited on Edie’s favorite doll and I teased him for it all week.
“What’s funny?” Emmett asks, knocking his knee into mine as I chuckle.
“I just remembered something,” I tell him.
As the game continues on, I find myself in the kitchen, helping myself to one of the cookies Fowler’s wife was icing when we arrived; each of them cut into the shape of a flower and covered in vibrant color which looks like it might stain if it touched…anything.
I feel Colt’s presence before I see him, and a palpable silence hangs between us as he reaches into the refrigerator for a beer. Twisting off the cap, he rests against the counter and takes a sip of the drink as he studies me for a few moments too long. I’m not sure if he’s watching me or waiting to speak until he blows a breath out from pursed lips.
“This is uncomfortable,” he finally says. “I’m sure you would rather be anywhere else tonight, but my son seems happy. I can appreciate that you’re willing to be uncomfortable in order to do this for him.”
“There isn’t much that Iwouldn’tdo for him, Fowler,” I tell him plainly.
“And I appreciate that,” he nods. “Al’s Bar has finished repairs and is under new ownership,” he adds as he takes a sip from his bottle. “In case you hadn’t heard about the vandalism that happened there.”
“Huh,” I say, “I hadn’t heard. It’s unfortunate, about the vandalism.”
“It’s interesting that it happened to be the bar Emmett was found outside of,” he muses, “and on the night he was admitted.”
“It’s a small world, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” he says as we exchange a knowing look, “it certainly is.” As he heads back into the living area to join his family, he rests his beer on the coffee table and speaks to the infant and the little girl. “Alright ladies, it’s time to say your goodnights to everyone.”
The older of the two pouts, despite making the rounds to everyone surrounding her to give them hugs and a kiss on the cheek. When she reaches me, I extend a hand to her, but her small arms wrap themselves around my neck. “Oh,” I stammer. I awkwardly wrap one arm around her body to return her embrace. “I— hope you sleep well.”
“Yeah, me too,” she nods. “I have to read my book report tomorrow.”
“So get to bed then, Macie darlin’,” the Texan tells her just before hauling her over his shoulder.
Holding onto the little girl’s legs with one hand, he hoists the infant up with the other, and Emmett lets out a dramatic gasp, pressing his hand to my chest.
“Uncle Davis isn’t afraid of the baby anymore,” he teases.
“Nah,” the Texan drawls, “watched her conk her head on a cabinet earlier and she was fine.”
I watch from my seat as Emmett and his family trail away from me, each one of them lined up to say goodnight to the children, and something warms in my chest that hasn’t in a long time. I don’t think either of those girls will ever wonder if they’re loved. I don’t think they’ll ever have to worry aboutdisappointing their family so much that they lose them. To know that Emmett has invitedmeto be a part of that family…
Maybe he was right.
Maybe Idowant friends.
Emmett approaches only a few minutes later wearing a wide smile as he looks at me. I barely have a moment to react before his arms are thrown around my neck and he’s tackling me onto the seat.
“I fucking love you,” he tells me through his teeth, pulling back to cup my face and press a kiss to my lips while I laugh. “Do you have any idea how awesome you just did?”
“I must have put on quite the show,” I chuckle.
Climbing off of me with a pat to my knee, he orders, “Come on. Help me clean out my shit so I can call the movers.”