Filed to story: My Life with the Walter Boys Book (I & II) PDF Free
“Are you kidding me?” I complained to Nathan when we reached our assigned table. My name card was right between two boys—Cole and Alex, to be exact.
Will and Haley had already said “I do” in a ceremony by Katherine’s blooming garden, and cocktail hour had just ended. For dinner, there were two huge tents set up in the backyard, with enough room to seat all the wedding guests.
“This is going to be an enjoyable evening,” Isaac said. Rolling his eyes, he pulled back his chair.
I shot him a dirty look and turned to Danny. “Would you mind switching with Cole?” I asked.
Danny quickly sat down. “I’m sorry, Jackie,” he said, looking regretful. “I can’t.”
“Why not?” I asked, still hovering behind my spot. Was it really that hard to move one seat over?
“Well, you see…” He trailed off, almost as if he felt uncomfortable finishing his sentence. Then Danny grabbed the water glass next to his plate and took a long sip so he didn’t have to answer me.
“He doesn’t want to lose our bet,” Isaac said with a grin as he unfolded his napkin and set it on his lap.
“You made a bet?” I asked, whipping around to glare at Danny. Isaac was addicted to gambling, but for the most part the boys knew not to indulge him. This was so unlike Danny that it made me furious.
“I know I shouldn’t have,” Danny said, hanging his head. “But if I’m going to move to New York, I need some extra money.”
Sighing, I yanked back my chair and took my place. “Why didn’t you say something?” I demanded. “You know I’d be more than happy to help you.”
He shrugged. “I didn’t want to owe you anything.”
“Apparently he’d rather owe me,” Isaac said. “I’m earning a hundred bucks on this.”
“A hundred bucks?” I asked in shock. “What’s this stupid bet anyway?”
“That Cole and Alex won’t be able to get through dinner without fighting over you,” Isaac explained.
“And?” I asked, not knowing if I wanted to hear the rest.
“I said they wouldn’t last five minutes,” Danny responded quietly.
“Wonderful,” I said, sinking into my seat. “Just wonderful.”
“At least they will both be happy,” Nathan said, trying to look on the bright side of things. “Well, for a little bit.”
He was right. Cole and Alex would both be happy to find that they were sitting next to me. However, they would quickly get fed up with each other. The worst part was that I was going to be stuck in the middle.
“Well, what about me?” I whined. Didn’t I deserve to be happy too?
“What about you?” Alex asked, coming up behind me. Leaning down, he pecked me on the cheek.
“Nothing,” I grumbled as he kissed me again.
“Um, barf. Not at the dinner table, please,” Cole said, turning up next to Alex. He sat down and let out a large belch. “Man, I’m hungry.”
“What a gentleman,” I said, shaking my head in disgust.
“Oh, sorry. Didn’t know I was in the presence of any ladies,” Cole shot back.
“Hey!” Alex said. “Don’t be mean to my girlfriend.”
“I was just joking. Chill. And do you have to keep calling her that, or are you afraid she might forget?”
“Come on, guys,” I said, trying to stop the fight. But it didn’t matter; everyone knew it was going to happen. I could already see the anticipation on Isaac’s face, and Danny’s eyes were glued to his watch.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Alex demanded as his face flushed red.
“Nothing,” Cole drawled. “I’m just pointing out that Jackie is a person, not a thing,”
“Boys!” I cried, looking back and forth between the two.
Cole looked calm and under control, but beneath his smooth exterior, I could tell he was aggravated. Alex, on the other hand, looked like a volcano on the verge of activity. Unconsciously his fingers had wrapped around the fork resting on his napkin, and as he squeezed the thin strip of metal, the color drained from his knuckles. I kept an eye on the utensil in his hand, afraid of what might happen if he snapped.
“Just shut up, Cole,” Alex hissed.
“Shut up?” Cole snickered. “That’s a good one. I’ll have to remember it. I bet your girlfriend can’t wait for you to defend her in a fight.”
“Guys, please stop,” I begged.
I risked a quick glance at the head table. Mr. Walter had just stood up with champagne glass in hand. He was about to give a speech about the bride and groom, and all the horrible possibilities of what would occur if Cole and Alex didn’t cool down were running through my head. Worst case scenario: the boys get into a fistfight in the middle of their father’s speech and ruin Will and Haley’s wedding.
“At least I have one,” Alex replied, looking smug.
Cole narrowed his eyes at his brother, and I gave up. Alex had officially pushed Cole too far, and there was no stopping either of them now.
“Is that a challenge?” he hissed.
“Suck it!” Danny whispered to his cousin with a smile on his face. “That was exactly three minutes. I want my money in cash.”
“Damn,” Isaac said, shaking his head and pulling out his wallet. “I’ve been on a losing streak lately.”
Alex didn’t respond to Cole, except to flip him off.
“Fine,” Cole said, smiling evilly. “But don’t blame me when your girl’s in my arms.”