My Life With the Walter Boys by Ali Novak Read Free Book Online

I remembered to bring shower shoes and my clothes, and was mentally preparing myself for the disgusting war zone inside.
    “Waiting for the bathroom,” I answered. “I believe Cole is inside.”
    “I know Cole’s inside. It’s his scheduled time to be in there,” Lee said, pointing at a piece of paper taped next to the bathroom door. He flicked his dark hair out of his eyes as he glowered at me. “I’m up next, so get lost.”
    “There’s a schedule to use the bathroom ?”
    “Only in the morning,” Nathan said, coming out of his room already showered and dressed. “With all of us trying to get ready before school, it’s kind of hectic.”
    Cole opened the bathroom door, and a wave of steam rushed out into the hall. He only had a white towel wrapped around his waist, and water droplets still clung to his sculpted shoulders and abs, making his skin sparkle.
    “If we didn’t have an allotted time,” he said, trying to shake some water out of his ear, “Danny would be in there for hours trying to make himself look pretty.” Then he pushed past Lee, Nathan, and me, calling over his shoulder, “I myself don’t need much time because I was gifted with being naturally pretty.”
    “Is there any way I can squeeze in?” I asked as I glanced over the schedule. The twenty-minute increments were booked all the way up until we had to leave for school.
    Isaac poked his head out of the room he shared with Lee. “Has anyone seen my leather jacket?”
    “It’s in your closet, idiot,” Lee told his older brother.
    “Like on a hanger? How the heck did it get there?”
    “Guys?” I asked.
    “Your crap was all over the place and I couldn’t find my board.”
    “Next time you decide to do a bit of spring cleaning, do me a favor—don’t touch the jacket.”
    “Hello? Is anybody going to answer me?” I demanded, putting a hand on my hip. “I need to use the shower too.”
    “Should have said something earlier, babe,” Isaac said. “We could’ve shared my shower time.” He grinned at me before vanishing back inside his room.
    Lee laughed at his brother as he slipped into the bathroom and slammed the door in my face.
    “Try the one downstairs next to the little kids’ rooms,” Nathan suggested. “They take baths at night, so there shouldn’t be anyone in there. Just watch out for all the bath toys. I’ve tripped on them before.”
    ***
    Once everyone showered, ate breakfast, and hurried to finish their homework at the last minute, Katherine pushed us all out the door.
    “Lee, leave that skateboard at home. If you ride it in the school halls again, you’ll get a suspension.”
    “But, Aunt Kathy—”
    “No buts. Alex, you got an F on your history paper. Star Wars does not count as a valid topic for most significant war in history. Apologize to your teacher and tell him you’ll rewrite it. Isaac, the women’s volleyball coach called and said if she catches you trying to sneak into the girls’ locker room one more time, she’ll make sure you fail gym class. Now get going,” Katherine shouted from the porch. “Jackie better not be late for her first day of school, or I won’t be very happy!”
    The guys dumped their backpacks into the bed of the old pickup truck and started piling in. I stared at them from the side of the driveway, feeling like I was watching a picturesque scene from a movie. Everyone had so much personality, and I felt like I didn’t belong. Even the truck had character. It had probably been a bright crimson color when it was brand new, but age and weather had worn it down to a dull red. One of the side mirrors was missing, and a headlight had been smashed in. I wondered how it was possibly roadworthy.
    Danny, who had taken more time than anyone getting ready, ran out the front door, trying to avoid his mother’s scolding. He threw the car keys at Cole, who climbed into the front seat. It didn’t take a genius to work out that he was the designated driver. Soon, everyone