Page 67 of My Return to the Walter Boys
I took a second to compose myself before facing him. “What’s in the box?” I asked in a toneless voice.
“More crap from the basement.” He patted the lid.
A few rows over, something glass shattered against the floor, andwe both jerked our heads in the direction of the noise. The burly lumberjack type from the lobby was cursing a broken lamp at his feet.
“Cole,” I said after turning back to him. “What are you doing here?”
“I thought it was obvious.” He gestured to the bin. It was the clear, plastic kind, packed with what appeared to be baby clothes. “I’m delivering said crap.”
Yeah, uh-huh.To my knowledge, this was Cole’s first time bringing a donation despite working on the basement for two weeks and Tony’s being only a few blocks away from the community center.
“Well, you missed the drop-off spot.” Which was in the lobby he’d walked through moments ago and marked with impossible-to-miss signage. “If you head back upstairs, I’m sure you’ll find the table with a huge sign taped to the front that says ‘All Donations Here.’ If not, you can ask Gabby for directions,” I said, pointing her out. “She’s a community center employee, so she knows her way around.”
“I don’t see her,” he said, his eyes never leaving mine. “Why don’t you show me instead?”
If he was going to be difficult, then two could play that game. I set my jaw. “I’m really busy right now. I should get back to work.”
Cole’s gaze flicked down to the dishes, then back up to me. “I’m sure those will still be here when you get back. Plus, I don’t plan on leaving until we talk.”
I exhaled through my mouth, blowing the breath up into my bangs. “Okay, fine. Follow me.”
After leading him back to the lobby where he delivered the bin, Iheaded for the front doors. Hopefully, we could slip outside before Katherine saw us. Cole removed a Tony’s Auto Repair snapback cap from his back pocket and pulled it on as he stepped out beside me. The rain had stopped, but the sky was still overcast, and mist clung to the ground in swirling, wispy ribbons. Two volunteers chatted quietly as they took a smoke break. Whatever conversation we were about to have required privacy, so I gestured to a paver walkway that meandered through banal landscaping toward a grove of pine trees with a wooden gazebo at the center.
Neither of us spoke as we followed the path away from the building, and I spent those minutes arranging my thoughts. I knew I couldn’t keep avoiding Cole, but how was I supposed to tell my maybe sort of boyfriend that we had to break up because I didn’t want to be kicked out of his family in the event we didn’t work out? The mental gymnastics was draining.
When we reached the gazebo, Cole motioned for me to step inside first. It had built-in benches, most of which were wet from the rain. I found a small section that looked dry, brushed my hand over the wood to make sure I wouldn’t spend the rest of the day wearing damp jeans, and sat down.
“That was a pretty slick move you pulled this morning.” Cole leaned back against the support post opposite me, tucking one foot over the other with a casual grace that was annoying and attractive at the same time. “I didn’t know you had it in you.”
“What move?” I asked.
“Offering my mom help with the rummage sale to get out of your chores,” he replied, flashing me his dimple. “I’d watch out if I were you. Isaac is furious. He thought he was done mucking stalls for the foreseeable future, and you ruined that for him.”
“First off,” I said, which made Cole’s smile bloom in full, “I told your mom I’d do my chores when we get home. If Isaac hadn’t opened his mouth, then she never would have paid him any attention, and I’d still be responsible for the stalls. Second, how is Isaac being pissed at me news? In case you missed it, your cousin has been angry with the universe for months now.”
He chuckled. “Fair. It’s kinda hard to miss when he’s being arrested.”
“Any idea what his issue is?” I asked since we were on the topic. “Alex and Nathan said it started after your uncle visited, but they—
Cole didn’t let me finish. “I didn’t come here to talk about Isaac.”
Down to business, then. “Okay.” I calmly crossed my legs. “What would you like to talk about?”
“Don’t do that,” he said with a frown.
“Do what?”
“That.” He gestured at me vaguely. “Don’t talk to me like I’m a kindergartner you need to placate while acting like everything is fine.”
“I’m not acting—”
“Yes, you are.” Annoyance was creeping into his voice, so he paused and slowly inhaled through his nose. “Listen, I’ve tried giving you space, but it’s been over a week, and you won’t even look at me. You know that makes me feel like shit, right? I get that you’re not used tobeing reprimanded, and that freaked you out, but come on, Jackie. My mom won’t send me away if we spend time together.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, wincing at his pinched expression. “You’re probably right, but…I don’t think we should risk it.”
The notch between his brows deepened, and he straightened up. “Risk what?”
Your family.
