My Return to the Walter Boys (My Life with the Walter Boys, #2)

by Ali Novak

It reminded me of my younger self and how I always lit up whenever Lucy made time for me.

:((((

I told them all about Danny’s first experience on the subway, where he was pelted with gummy bears by a woman in a ball gown for no reason other than New York was weird.

As much as I cared about him, I couldn’t date Cole Walter. Life would be less complicated if we just stayed friends.

“Hey, New York. Miss me?”

“It’s just…you’re like Cinderella—always running away from me.”

“I’ll tell you what—once you get sick of Cole and decide to make your way through another one of us, let me know. We could spend some time getting familiar with each other.”

oh this is CRAZY

“Did you see the tattoo? Is it cool? Can you tell us what it is?” “A mermaid riding a narwhal,” Cole deadpanned.

“I could help you.” He launched himself off the bed, took my hands in his, and kneeled at my feet. “On the days that are hard. I want to help, Jackie. You just need to let me.”

“Gotta piss,” he said, ambling off into the woods for privacy. I laughed softly to myself—Isaac always had a way with words—and

I’m pretty sure Alex was yours long before I met him, but he was just too dumb to realize it.”

“Well, that explains why he’s such a moron,” Lee mumble. “All those energy drinks must have melted his brain.”

“I know we haven’t known each other long, but you’re family now, Jackie. You could break Cole’s heart, and I’d still answer every one of your calls. Day or night, I swear. Even if I knew you needed help disposing of a body or something nefarious like that.”

Who am I to stand between a man and his Crunchwrap Supreme?”

“Jesus, let me outta here,” Lee demanded before the Buick was even in park. “All this sexual tension is suffocating. Can’t you two bang it out already? It’s getting old.”

That’s what made grief so difficult to overcome; no matter how much effort you put in to moving on, it was always lurking below the surface, ready to pop up at any moment and leave you reeling.

He smirked at this. “You think I’m pretty?” I rolled my eyes. “You think you’re pretty.” “I think you’re pretty.”

“The leather jacket jackass has landed,” he told her. “I repeat, the leather jacket jackass has landed.”

“I don’t have someone to go with.” Eyes flashing, he stepped into my personal space and grasped my upper arm, but his grip was gentle. “That’s bullshit, and you know it.” Goose bumps swept across my skin, emanating from his touch. “Is that… I mean, are you asking me?” “That depends,” he said carefully. “Are you saying yes?”

I’ll be your someone, Jackie.”

“Mean and violent? How did I get so lucky?”

Slowly but surely, all the Walter kids were worming their way into my heart, even the annoying ones.

“You know, when I first met you, I never expected someone so prim and proper to be such a menace.”

Dumbledeez Nuts and We’re Dead Sirius

“Because even though you’re mad at me, I still make your heart race.”

Cole briefly considered his sister’s words before taking her advice to heart and dropping to his knees. He blinked up at me with sad, remorseful eyes, but after a moment, they lit with mischief, and I knew whatever came out of his mouth next would be ridiculous. “Oh, benevolent goddess—”

OH PLS LMAOOOO

“Oh, like horoscopes? I’m a Scorpio born in Gatorade or something like that,”

real

“Stop worrying about grieving wrong. It’s not something you can mess up,” he said, gently knocking his knee against mine. “Healing isn’t a linear process. Some days will be better than others.”

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.

oh pls you're literally endgame

Nathan leaned toward Jack. “This isn’t about a promotion,” he stage whispered, holding his hand against the side of his mouth. “I think Cole is finally going to confess that he’s found his true calling as a ballet dancer.”

“Jackie, we might not have the same last name, but you should know by now you’re one of us.”

“This might come as a shock to you,” he said matter-of-factly, “but I have the highest GPA out of all my cousins.” “How is that even possible?” I asked, my voice pitching higher than usual. “You skip class all the time!” He shrugged. “I don’t have to try. School’s always been easy for me.

WHAT

“Yes, but…” Katherine’s voice cracked. “What if she goes off to Princeton and never comes back?”

:(((

Cole watched him disappear into the kitchen, then turned to me, his lips pinched tight with displeasure. “You two seem close.” “Really, Cole?” I grinned at him. “I’ll admit the man’s handsome, but he’s older than your father. What are you implying?” “Nothing! I didn’t—that’s not what I meant,”

LMAOOOO

“Okay, just so we’re clear—are you saying that we broke up because you like my family more than me?” The playful note in his voice sent a jolt of hope through my body. “I’ve been through my fair share of breakups, but I’ve never heard that excuse before

But home was also where your family was, and the Walters were here. That made Colorado my home now too.