Page 4 of My Return to the Walter Boys (My Life with the Walter Boys #2)

“Yeah, because that would be super weird of me.” Psychotic even. Who came up with ship names for their ex and his new girlfriend?

“Aha!” He pointed an accusing finger at me. “So you are upset.”

“What? No!” I whipped a hideous ruffled pillow at his face, which he ducked while laughing at me. “I swear, I’m cool with them dating. I think they make a lot of sense together.”

“They do,” he agreed. “I’m not sure if it’s Kim or because Cole isn’t living at home anymore, but Alex is different. Less bitter, more confident.”

“Or maybe it’s because he gained five inches and some actual muscle? The Walter genes are so unfair. It’s ridiculous how attractive you all are.”

“That’s a common misconception. It’s actually in the water, not the baby gravy.”

My nose wrinkled. The reason Nathan and I clicked so well was because he was mature for his age, but every once in a while, he’d say something that reminded me he was, in fact, a teenage guy, one who was related to Isaac.

“First off, gross. Please don’t ever say that again.

Second, if that’s the case, I’m ready for my glow up. ”

He laughed. “Sorry, but you have to live here for longer than a few months for the magic to work.”

“Well, I don’t have plans to leave anytime soon.”

“Good. Things haven’t been the same without you.” Nathan paused, then let his head roll to the side so he could get a good look at me. “Did it help, going home?”

“A bit. Being in our apartment again brought up all sorts of memories, so it was…rough at the beginning. Danny was a lifesaver, though. Having him around really helped.” I paused and took a deep lungful of air, not ready yet to get into the details. “Enough about me. How was your summer?”

“As previously mentioned, awkward.” Nathan sighed as he fiddled with his necklace, sliding the guitar pick back and forth on its chain. “Other than that, there’s not much to tell. It’s just been me chilling in the loft.”

“That’s it?” I asked skeptically. Surely, something exciting happened.

“I got into sudoku.” He motioned to a paper book of number puzzles lying nearby. “Does that count?”

Judging by the way Nathan was avoiding eye contact, he clearly didn’t want to talk about himself.

And now that I thought about it, he’d been light on detail whenever we spoke over the phone, always directing the conversation back to me.

The curious part of me wanted to push for a real answer, but my logical side was quick to point out the hypocrisy.

After all, hadn’t I just changed the subject to dodge his question?

“Of course it does,” I told him. “So what’s this I hear about a block party?”

This perked Nathan up. “It’s Copper Valley’s annual end-of-summer bash. Happens on the second to last Saturday before school starts. There are food trucks, live music, and games for kids. Some of us like to act like we’re too cool to go, but everyone always does.”

“Everyone…including Cole?”

The instant the words left my mouth, Nathan arched an eyebrow.

I swallowed and dropped my gaze to my lap.

God , I thought as I wrung my hands together, can I be any more pathetic?

Here I was, back for less than a day and already questioning Cole’s brothers about him.

I couldn’t help it, though. The fluttering feeling that unfurled in my chest the moment I landed in Denver was only getting worse the more I anticipated seeing him again.

“Still haven’t talked to him, huh?”

Groaning, I collapsed back against the threadbare cushions. “I am so not having this conversation with you.”

Nathan smirked— good grief, he looks so much like Cole when he does that!

—but let it drop. “To answer your question, no. I doubt he’ll be there.

He’s too busy working. If he’s not at Tony’s, he’s lifeguarding at the community pool or picking up a shift at the Gas Exchange.

We don’t see him much, but he always comes home on Friday for dinner.

I don’t think he’ll be here tonight, though.

He mentioned something about packing up his apartment. ”

Although I knew Cole would be starting college, an inevitability that I’d factored in during my many soul-searching sessions over the course of summer, my stomach still clenched when faced with concrete proof that he was leaving.

The Walter household would feel less without him here.

And if he wasn’t coming back to the ranch tonight, did that mean I wouldn’t see him for an entire week?

God, I could kick myself for being too chicken to send him a text. Waiting that long might kill me.

I wanted to press for more details, but a crackly, disembodied voice suddenly spoke from somewhere inside the couch.

“Jack for Nathan. Come in, Nathan.”

Nathan sat up and dug around in the pillows until he found a walkie-talkie, which he brought up to his mouth before pressing the talk button. “Go for Jack.”

“Dinner will be ready in five.”

“Thanks. Ten-four, out,” he said, then tossed the device onto the coffee table.

“What’s up with the walkie-talkie?” I asked.

“My dad bought a bunch of them for Zack and Benny’s Cub Scout group.

It was part of earning their radio merit badge.

Service out here is crap, so they come in handy when someone up at the house wants to get a hold of me.

” Nathan heaved himself off the couch before offering me a hand.

“Let’s head out. If we don’t hurry, the little heathens eat everything. ”

***

The kitchen was the heart of the Walters’ household, so when Nathan and I walked in five minutes later, we were greeted by the usual chaos that occurred anytime the majority of the family gathered inside—laughter and horseplay and coinciding conversations.

Dogs weaving underfoot as food was prepared.

Music, bickering, and more laughter. It was hectic in a way that bordered on overwhelming while somehow still retaining an air of comfort and warmth.

The pantry door was wide open, and I watched as Benny boosted his twin up so he could reach a pack of Oreos on the top shelf.

Will didn’t notice the cookie heist taking place right beside him because he was too busy whispering something in his wife Haley’s ear.

I frowned at the sight of a bucket covering the faucet but then spotted George lying on the floor with his head inside the cabinet and a toolbox at his side.

“Aunt Kathy, we’re out of butter,” Lee said as he rummaged through the fridge. Tonight must have been his and Isaac’s turn to help with dinner, because the latter was slicing up a watermelon.

“No, we’re not,” she replied as she pulled a casserole out of the oven. “I bought some today. Out of the way, Jack. This is hot.” She moved the steaming dish to a waiting trivet, then added, “Did you check the fruit drawer? Zack and Benny helped me unload the groceries, and you know how that goes.”

Two giggles confirmed her theory.

Katherine was a stickler for serving dinner at the table, so I was surprised to see her setting it up on the island, buffet style. Then I spotted the reason for the shift.

“Whoa,” I said, eyeing the mess. The entire surface of the ten-foot-long farmhouse table was covered in stuff—piles of neatly folded clothes, stacks of books, and tubs filled with old toys and knickknacks. “What’s going on over there?”

Nathan shrugged. “My mom mentioned something about sorting through old stuff to sell for a fundraiser sometime this fall, but I didn’t catch the details.”

“It’s a community-wide rummage sale to raise funds for a new park,” came a quiet reply, and when I turned to face the source, I found Kim watching me with cautious eyes. “Hey, Jackie. It’s good to—”

“Jackie!” A small body collided with mine, nearly knocking the wind out of me. “You’re back!”

“Oof. Hello, Parker,” I said, returning her hug. “Did you have a good summer?”

“The best! My dad taught me how to use a slingshot, and I started tennis lessons. I wanted to sign up for boxing, but Mom says I’m violent enough as it is.”

As she prattled on, I mouthed “Talk later?” to Kim, and she nodded in agreement.

Then I spent the next two minutes listening to Parker as she filled me in on everything I missed while I was gone.

Considering the rocky start to our relationship, I was surprised but touched by her excitement.

It reminded me of my younger self and how I always lit up whenever Lucy made time for me.

“All right, everyone,” Katherine called over the ruckus, clapping her hands together to get the room’s attention. “Dinner’s ready. Come get a plate, and help yourselves. We’re eating outside tonight.”

Having witnessed past Walter feeding frenzies, I decided to hang back for my own safety.

It was the right call. While Isaac and Lee jostled each other for first dibs on the drumsticks, Zack and Benny whacked anyone within reach with their paper plates.

Sweet Baby Ray’s splattered everywhere when Jack unscrewed the cap and, without thinking, shook the bottle, and Alex nearly sent his plate of food flying when he tripped over his father who was still under the sink working on the plumbing.

“Hey, that’s enough! Save some for the rest of us,” Parker exclaimed as she and Jordan stood over a steaming casserole dish.

She tried to snatch the serving spoon from Jordan’s hand, but he batted her away with ease, took what looked like his third heaping scoop, and added it to a plate filled with one thing—cheesy potatoes.

When he went for another helping, Parker punched him in the ribs.

“Ow!” Jordan dropped the serving spoon, and it clattered back into the casserole dish. “Mom, Parker hit me!”

“Yeah, because you’re being an asshole and hogging the potatoes!”

“Language!” came a muffled reprimand from under the sink.

Katherine pinched the bridge of her nose. “Parker, what have I told you about hitting people?”