Living with the Walker Boys | PREVIEW ONLY

Chap. 1

"We've survived worse champ," dad said, squeezing my shoulder.

I turned from him, my heart heavy. Tears threatened to escape my eyes.

"Come on, don't give me the cold shoulder."

"I don't want you to go. Can't I come with you?"

He shook his head. "I'm lucky to get this job, and I'm rooming with a few guys. I told you Zoe, they're not the kind of guys I want you to be around."

"Then why are you going to be around them?"

"I'm doing what I have to do to support us. Just trust me, okay?"

I nodded. "When am I leaving?"

"Rob will be here to pick you up any minute now."

I checked my bags, I had everything I'd need. "And this is only temporary right, until you get a place of your own?"

"You'll be the first person I call."

The doorbell rang, and I looked at my dad. He answered the door and a younger man stepped in.

"Hey Rob," dad said, with a smile.

"Hey Charles," Rob answered.

"Rob, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Zoe."

I extended my hand and shook his. His grasp was firm, and he had a smile that looked natural on him.

"Ready to go?" Rob asked.

I nodded, and dad wrapped me in his arms. I hugged him with all my might, never wanting to let him go.

"I love you," I said, as dad released me.

"I love you more. I'll call you when I get there bud."

I kissed his cheek and grabbed my duffel bag, Rob had already taken my others out to the car.

"Bye," I whispered, giving him one last quick hug.

"Missing you already," he called, as I got into the passenger seat of Rob's car.

I waved to him until I couldn't see him anymore, and then I leaned back in the seat. I pulled my pillow pet out of my duffel and curled up with Chloe, my Triceratops.

"So tell me a little about yourself," Rob said.

"Well I'm sixteen, and I dance."

"Dance eh? There's a dance team at North Lake. JV or varsity?"

"I was on varsity at my old high school."

"Then I'm sure you'll have no problem making varsity at North Lake. They're a pretty decent team."

"So tell me about yourself and your family," I said, cuddling Chloe. I took a sip of my diet coke.

"Well, I'm married. My wife's name is Emma. I have seven sons."

I choked and sputtered. "You have what?"

He smiled. "Yes, I have seven sons."

"Wow." I felt my face turning red from embarrassment.

He reached into his wallet and pulled out a picture.

I looked at his family. It was picture of them at the park. They looked like one of those perfect, cliché families that you see in cheesy pictures that come with a photo frame.

"What are their names?" I asked. I couldn't take my eyes off the kid in the middle. He looked like a Hollister model. Well, they all did, but he looked like absolute perfection.