Filed to story: My Life with the Walter Boys Book (I & II) PDF Free
“Thanks,” I said, shrugging off his arm, “but I ate before the party.”
“Of course you did. You’re the responsible type,” he replied. “But something tells me you’re not in a festive mood, so let’s get outta here. This place makes the best French silk pie, and pie fixes everything.”
Well, he had me there, so I sighed and gestured for him to lead the way.
The Neon Grill was everything I expected from a small town diner. There was a prominent counter with round stools, direct service, a window into the kitchen, red vinyl booths cracked with age, and a checkered floor. Eclectic signage and newspaper clippings about hometown success stories covered the walls. The place was even decorated for the holiday—paper bats hung from the ceiling, plastic jack-o’-lanterns sat on the edge of each table, and fake spiderwebs covered the windows.
It was late, so there weren’t many customers, and we were able to snag a booth away from the door. After looking over the menu, Isaac ordered a full breakfast—coffee, two scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, hash browns, and a slice of pie—while I opted for a side of fries and a Dr Pepper. We played hangman on the paper placemats using crayons while we waited for our food, and I beat Isaac every time because he only picked inappropriate words, like expletives and body parts.
Once our food arrived, I waited until Isaac had polished off his stack of pancakes before easing into a real conversation. “I promise this isn’t me trying to interrogate you, but I have to make sure. Are you okay? I know things have been rough lately.”
He had already made it clear that he wasn’t interested in talking, but I wanted Isaac to know I was willing to listen if he ever changed his mind. I’d been in a similar place over the summer—drowning in guilt and grief but unwilling to discuss it. Danny checked in with me weekly despite my silence on the subject. If he’d given up, I never would have eventually unburdened myself to him, and although it had been painful, the experience was cathartic.
Isaac stopped chewing. For a split second, he looked like a deer caught in headlights, but then a smirk overtook his face. “I’ve basically been on lockdown for two months, so I could be better. Wanna know what would help?”
“I swear to God,” I said, pointing a fry at him, “if the next comment that comes out of your mouth is pervy, I’ll dump my soda on you.”
He batted the crinkle cut out of my hand. “Stop making it so easy, then. Do you know how many dirty things I can say using the words come and mouth?”
“Isaac…” I said, grabbing my glass and raising it threateningly.
“Whoa!” He held up his hands in surrender. “Chill, Jackie. I definitely won’t be okay if I’m drenched in Dr Pepper. What happened to comforting your friend in his time of need?”
“I don’t remember making any offers of comfort, but all right. In what
PG way can I make you feel better?” I asked, making sure to stress the PG part.
“Well, I’ve been so down lately.” He sighed dramatically, his shoulders slumping like a cartoon character. “I could really use a distraction.”
I rolled my eyes at his theatrics. “Like what?”
Isaac slathered his toast in grape jelly before answering. “Why don’t you tell me all about what happened with you and Cole?” he said after setting down the butter knife. “He’s been frustratingly tight-lipped on the subject.”
Why the request caught me off guard was anyone’s guess. Isaac was such a gossip. He’d fit right in with Megan and Savannah, so it was only natural that he wanted all the details, but I was unwilling to share them for his entertainment. “What happened to not wanting to talk about serious stuff?” I deflected.
“I meant my serious stuff.” He piled some scrambled eggs and a strip of bacon onto the piece of toast. “I’m all for hearing about yours,” he added, then took an enormous bite of his concoction.
“That’s not going to happen,” I told him with a laugh.
It was quiet for a moment as he chewed his food. “That’s fine,” he said once he finally swallowed. “I’m more than happy to go back to discussing your mouth and me coming.”
“
Isaac!
” I glared and chucked a fry at him. “You can’t say stuff like that. I know you’re winding me up, but one of these days, someone won’t find it funny, and you’ll get reported for sexual harassment.”
His smirk instantly vanished. “Right, sorry.” I’d never seen him look embarrassed before, so it was fascinating watching a flush spread across his cheeks. “I…um—I think I use it as a defense mechanism,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck, “but that’s no excuse.”
I sighed. No, it wasn’t, but I was glad he realized it. “How about instead of trying to make me feel uncomfortable so you don’t have to, we take turns opening up to each other?”
“And how would that work?” he asked cautiously.
“You get one question, and I promise to answer it truthfully,” I explained. “In exchange, I can ask one as well, and you have to be honest. I’ll even go first if you want.”
Isaac hesitated, then slowly nodded his head. “Yeah, okay.”
“I’m assuming you want to know about me and Cole?”
He leaned into the table, his eyes practically glowing with excitement. “Yeah, the breakup. Was it because he ditched you at O’Brady’s? That’s what Alex said.”
As annoyed as I was that Alex made assumptions based on what happened that night and then gossiped about it, maybe I could use the rumor to my advantage and dodge a painful bullet. I wouldn’t lie, but just because I promised Isaac the truth didn’t mean I wanted to give it. Thinking about Cole made my whole chest hurt.
Keeping my expression as neutral as possible, I said, “Is that your question?”
“Wait, no.” Isaac tapped his finger against the table a few times, then reworded. “Why exactly did you break up?”
Oh well, it had been worth a shot. “Because I’m afraid of losing your family.”
A deep crease formed on his forehead. He’d more than likely expected to hear some scandalous story, not a confession about what had become my biggest fear, but I’d promised honesty. “I’m not following.”
“It’s kind of hard to explain,” I said, rubbing a hand down my face, “but I really like your cousin.” I couldn’t—no, wouldn’t—use the other L word. “I know he feels the same way, so if we gave dating a real go, then I think it would lead to something serious.”
He gave me a no shit look. “Yeah, that’s kinda the whole point of dating someone…”
“That doesn’t mean we’re going to end up together,” I replied. “We’re both so young, and I just… What if things end badly? I don’t want your family to have to choose sides.”
Isaac threw back his head and laughed. “That’s the stupidest shit I’ve ever heard.”
My head jerked back. “Why? Most relationships end in—“
“You do realize that things have already ended badly, right?” he said over me. “My aunt and uncle would never kick you to the curb over something as stupid as a breakup, and even if people did start picking sides, I’d bet everything on you winning that contest. Cole’s a cocky jackass. You’re much more likable. This is also the moment where I’d usually say something inappropriate, but I’m gonna bite my tongue.”
I shook my head. “But… I’m not a Walter.”
“Jesus, you’re ridiculous,” Isaac muttered, then reached across the table and, to my utter surprise, took my hand in his. It was the sort of comforting gesture I never would have expected from him. “Jackie, we might not have the same last name, but you should know by now you’re one of us.”