Page 23 of My Return to the Walter Boys
Katherine paused, then set down her water glass and gave him an approving nod. “That’s very responsible of you, Cole. Are you planning to renew the apartment lease?”
He shook his head. “Actually, I was hoping I could move home.”
I almost choked on my bite of meatloaf. I’d completely forgotten his words from earlier, but now they played through my head in a loop:I have exciting news to share…doubt you’ll be able to keep your hands to yourself…
“Oh, honey! That would be wonderful,” she gushed. “You’re always welcome here, and we’d love to have you back. I’ll need to figure out what to do about sleeping arrangements, though.” There was alreadya far-off look in Katherine’s eyes as she contemplated the dilemma. “Maybe Isaac and Lee can move back in together?”
“What?” Isaac exclaimed, breaking his silence for the first time this evening. “That’s bullshit! Ifinallyhave my own room, but he’s allowed to change his mind, swoop in, and steal it from me? How is that fair?”
“There was nothing fair about the way you spoke to me or your aunt this afternoon,” George said, his voice laced with steel. “What makes you think you deserve your own room right now?”
Jack and Jordan, who were covertly flicking peas at each other, stopped what they were doing to listen. If Katherine hadn’t instated a no-camera-at-the-table rule, I was positive one of the two would have pulled it out and started recording.
“What about me?” Lee said as he stabbed a tater tot with his fork. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
The problem-solving expression on Katherine’s face softened into a smile. “You’re absolutely right, Lee. Cole and Isaac can share instead.”
“I don’t want to displace Isaac or Lee,” Cole said. “Plus, I plan on also keeping my other job at the Gas Exchange, and that’s typically second shift. Wouldn’t it be better if I had my own space? Otherwise, I’ll constantly be waking up whoever I have to share with. I was thinking I could set something up in the basement?”
Katherine hesitated. “I’m not sure I feel comfortable with you sleeping down there. We don’t have an egress window.”
“Mom, Cole can stay in my and Benny’s room!” Zack said, bouncing up and down in his chair.
“That’s very kind of you to offer, Zack,” she told her youngest, “but I don’t think there’s space for all three of you in there, and your brother is right. He needs his own space.”
The table fell quiet as everyone considered the problem, then Parker lit up. “Oh, I have something!” Her eyes flickered over to me, and she grinned. “Why don’t Jackie and I share? Cole can take the art studio, since my room is bigger.”
Cole’s expression was unreadable when his gaze found mine. It was the first time he’d looked at me since sitting down to dinner, and I made an effort not to squirm in my seat. “Is that really such a good idea?” His tone suggested concern, but I didn’t believe it for a second. “Jackie’s never had to share a room before. It might be difficult for her. Besides, she’s so hardworking and dedicated to her schoolwork. What if Parker is adistraction?”
I narrowed my eyes. “I can handle it.”
“Hmm…” Katherine tilted her head in consideration. “I suppose that could work. Are you sure you’re okay with this, Jackie?”
“Of course!” I smiled at Parker. “The two of us will have a blast. Right, P-Walt?”
She nodded eagerly. “We can playMario Kartevery night, and I can show you how to burp the ABCs!”
That prospect alone was enough to make me regret my decision, but Cole was watching me with a smug grin, and I refused to give him the satisfaction of backing out now. Besides, if sharing a room with Parker made the situation easier for Katherine, then I could make thatsacrifice. I would miss the art studio, but if I really wanted to be considered one of the Walters, I couldn’t allow myself to be treated any differently from the rest of the family.
Dinner wrapped up shortly after that. I had yet to be added back to the cleanup rotation, so after bringing my plate over to the sink, I slipped outside for some much needed fresh air and a quiet place to reconcile with the knowledge that I’d lost my safe haven. As I paced back and forth, my racing thoughts split into warring factions—one stubbornly determined to help Katherine and stick it to Cole, the other screaming, “OhmyGodohmyGodohmyGod, what have I done?”
The front door snicked open, and Cole stepped out, a private smile tugging his lips. Instead of making for the steps like I thought he would, he stopped and took a deep breath as if savoring the moment.
“Little bit of advice?” he said, not bothering to look in my direction.
Even though I was the one watching him, I startled, caught off guard that he knew I was here.
“You don’t have to be a people pleaser ad nauseam. It’s obnoxious.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said politely, even though I wanted to snap. How dare he call me obnoxious when I gave up my room for him? What he should have done was thank me, but since I’d turned him down, he was throwing a tantrum instead. I refused to sink to his level.
Cole snorted. “Don’t play dumb, Jackie. I know you didn’t want to give up your room.”
My fingers tightened into fists. “Well, of course not! But your mom needed—”
“Exactly,” he said with vicious satisfaction. “My parents are stuck with you whether you suck up to them or not, so stop trying so hard.” He mockingly bowed his head to me when my jaw dropped, then stepped off the porch and headed for his car. “Enjoy your new digs,” he called over his shoulder. “I know I will.”
Four
