The Walter Boys Assistant

Chapter 2: The Walter's

Walking out of the terminal feels different this time. It's a sensation that feels almost as if you have just been on another planet and are returning to embrace the Earth again.

Your heart is racing faster the further you walk through the airport. So, it only makes sense that when you reach the pick-up area that your heartbeat continues to increase upon the sight of Katherine Walter waiting by the bed of the truck. She is wearing khaki pants with an emerald green blouse overlapping it. Her naturally gorgeous red hair slicked back into a neat ponytail.

"Look how much you've grown." She laughs, a warm smile evident on her face. You return the gesture before rushing forward and you two embrace. "Welcome back home." Katherine whispered before planting a kiss on your head, rubbing your back. After you pull away, you retrieve your luggage and then make your way to the truck.

"I almost forget how good it feels just to be back." You express. The sun is high in the air by this time in the day, heat waves prancing atop the black roads ahead of the truck.

You roll your window down, leaning in and greet the rush of wind in an instant. The air is different here than in Florida - more welcoming.

"I will need to get back to the clinic after I drop you off at home to get settled in." Katherine says, "There's a foreign body surgery that was moved up." You instantly turn to examine her expression. It's... exhaustion. Stress. Taking the world on her shoulders as per usual, you assume.

"Do you need me to assist? I don't mind." You offer without hesitation.

"No, no. I want you to get comfortable before jumping into work." Katherine says through a forced laugh. "And besides, the boys would be infuriated if I stole any more time with you away from them. They are all waiting at the house."

"All of them?"

"Except for Will, of course. He and Hayley are on their honeymoon." She says with pride.

"I cannot believe I missed the wedding," you gripe loudly, "I am so sorry I couldn't make it out sooner."

"We understood." Katherine expresses. When silence falls over the truck once more, you take the time to truly inspect her. She looks so tired and spread thin.

"Is everything alright, Katherine?" You watch the false smile leave her. That is never a good sign. Katherine seems to see the good in most things. So when she lost her ability to smile, it was pretty serious.

A drawl of air is heard from the woman as she focuses on the road, pulling to a stoplight and then glances her attention over to you.

"A lot has happened in the past year. I presume Alex told you about the girl that moved in with us from New York?" A nod of your head is all she needs to continue. "Well, Jackie and Alex have been dating."

Those words feel like a bomb being dropped on an unsuspecting meadow. Alex was dating someone? What stings the most was that he never even told you. Secrets were being kept now?

"Is that bad?" You swallow the bile rising in your throat to focus on the task at hand. Find out what all has happened and why this was such a dreadful event to his mother.

"Not necessarily. We set ground rules, of course. But things got worse between Alex and Cole."

Fuck. You should have known. The classic rivalry between Alex and Cole. You remembered Alex telling you everything that had happened last year after the summer. How Cole came back and had kissed Paige. That was the sudden division that struck the boys apart.

"I don't understand. The last time Alex and I were on the phone, he said they had a good talk. They met an understanding-"

"That was what we had all thought. Until last Friday morning. Jackie left a note saying she was sorry."

"What-"

"George and I were seeing Danny off for his flight with Jackie's uncle, Richard, because he's letting Danny stay with him during the summer for Julliard. But instead of only picking Danny up, he was picking up Jackie as well. We were blindsided."

"You just let her go then?"

"We thought it was for the best with how agitated she seemed." Katherine exhales deeply while she continues to drive down the road once the light turns green. The chirping of birds breeze past outside. "So, we agreed that she should go along with them."

"How is Alex handling this?"

"Not well. He's been out with Murphy every day since. And he's definitely grounded after the fight with Cole."

"What? Does Cole have anything to do with her even leaving?" You question unsurely. If you were right about what you were thinking, it wasn't good. It meant that it happened again and you weren't sure if Alex would be able to handle that.

"I wish I knew. We rushed upstairs to the sound of yelling and crashing. They both got quite a few good hits but refuse to tell us anything as to why." She explains with ease but it is noticeable how frustrated the whole ordeal makes her.

So, from the last time you spoke with Alex, he told you about his conversation with Cole and that he was going to be attending training camp. He was excited and happy about everything and it made you just as happy to hear of it all. Until now, that is. He told you everything but the fact that he was in a relationship with the girl that moved in?

Your mind can't really grasp a hold of one thought in particular. It's a whirlwind of so many things to try and piece it all together. But nothing sticks. Nothing explains the situation for you.

"I'll see what I can do to help." You grit out after some time and Katherine looks towards you before turning down the road and a familiar house and barn comes up into view. Instead of excitement like you had felt just an hour prior, dread set in upon the sight of it. Your lips are drawn into a straight line as you drive closer. Until you realize that everyone is standing in front of the porch. A giant banner hung directly above them, stating, 'WELCOME HOME, (Y/N)!' That alone manages to return a smile to your face once more.

"(Y/n)! (Y/n)'s here!" Parker exclaimed out of delight, throwing up her hands and you smile from ear to ear at the sight of the group happily waving their hands as Katherine parks and you rush to climb out of the car.

"Hey, guys!" You proclaim and run out, immediately becoming enveloped in a mass of a hug. You can't tell which arm belongs to who as you laugh and throw your arms around the two in front of you. It ends up being Isaac and Lee. That moment, you forget about what you were worried about and are happy to be there.

"Welcome home, (y/n)!" Nathan exclaims and when they step back, all they can see is the smile spread wide across your face.

"I missed all of you so much!" Your laugh is genuine while looking over all of them. Until your eyes land on Alex standing there. Those freckles make your heart flutter. It's unfortunately short lived when you notice the dark purple and black bruising around his left eye. His bottom lip split. But none of that stops him from smiling warmly.

"We missed you too." He says softly.