Page 8 of My Return to the Walter Boys
“Oh no,” he muttered, flopping onto the couch. “You walked in on them, didn’t you?”
Nodding, I took a seat beside him. “They were half-naked and in the middle of a full-blown make-out session. Do you know how awkward that was?”
“Are you so traumatized that you forgot I share a room with Alex?”Nathan asked. “Why do you think I’m hiding out here? I’ve basically exiled myself to the loft since they started dating.”
Oof, I hadn’t considered that.
If the changes to the loft were anything to go by, he spent more than a fair amount of time in the barn. On second glance, I spotted a wicker basket filled with blankets and pillows. The thought of Nathan sleeping out here because Alex and Kim were getting busy frustrated me on his behalf. Unfortunately, a precedent of discourtesy toward one’s roommate was already set in the Walter household—Danny once confessed sharing a room with Cole was a contributing factor as to why he was such a night owl—and the dark circles under Nathan’s eyes were telling.
Just how long had this been going on for?
When I asked him, he winced. “Er…they got together a couple of days after you left, so pretty much the entire time?”
“Are youserious?”
Nathan misconstrued my reaction. He muttered something to himself that sounded suspiciously like “shitshow” before launching into a misplaced apology. “I’m really sorry, Jackie. I knew this would happen. I’ve been trying all week to think of the best way to break the news to you, but—”
“Nathan,” I said sharply, and he pressed himself so deep into the couch, it looked like he was trying to meld with the cushions. “I’m not upset because of what I found out butwhenI found out. We’ve had, what, half a dozen conversations this summer? Why didn’t youtell me?” Even though I was fine with Alex and Kim’s relationship, it would have been nice to process the news while in New York instead of being caught flat-footed the moment I returned.
“I know. It’s just…you were gone, and it wasn’t my place to say anything. Plus, it seemed like you needed a break from the drama. Honest to God, I planned on warning you once you got back. I figured I’d have more than a millisecond to do so, but I guess I should’ve known better considering my own experience this summer.”
“Are they really that bad?” I asked after deciding to let things go. That Nathan had kept this secret from me was still upsetting, but I couldn’t blame him for sticking to whatever bro code he had with his brothers.
“Remember when Isaac was hooking up with one of Danny’s friends from drama club? You know, the girl with the lip mole who always dressed like someone from a period piece?”
“No. I think that was before my time, and honestly? I don’t want to know the gruesome details of your cousin’s love life.”
“That’s fair. You can picture it, though, right? Isaac and the odd but pretty theater geek? They were one of those couples that exemplify why people hate PDA.”
“What’s your point?”
Nathan sighed. “Alex and Kim are a thousand times worse.”
Yikes. No wonder Nathan was practically living in the barn.
“So…” he said when I didn’t immediately respond. “Just to be clear—are you sure there’s no hard feelings about the Kilex situation?”
“Kilex?”
“I thought it had a better ring to it than Aim. You don’t like it?”
I screwed up my face. “It sounds like an off-brand Kleenex for assassins.”
“Kilex! The only tissue that will blow you away!” Nathan said like one of those late night infomercials that sold products by shouting at people. He snorted at his own joke. “You’re right. That’s terrible.”
“Obviously,” I drawled.
“Hey, it’s not like you’re throwing out any good suggestions.”
“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 youareupset.”
“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.”
