What actually happened…
It was about 2 am when Walker heard the front door closing with a soft bang, followed by what sounded like somebody bumping into the coffee-table and some indistinct cussing. He hadn't had a good night sleep since he got out of prison. He knew it would have to be Joel, seeing as he heard Joel and Theresa making plans earlier this evening, but just to be on the safe side, Walker got up, pulling on a shirt as he quietly walked down the stairs. Brendan and Cheryl had been fast asleep for hours, and he didn't want to wake them.
As he flipped on the switch, the sudden burst of light blinded him for a few seconds before he could see the image of a drunk and sobbing Joel sitting on the couch become clear. Walker hated people sobbing, but the urge to turn around and retrieve to his bedroom somehow died away when he heard the kid swallow a soft sob. He turned around watching the slouched boy trying to wipe away his tears even before they had a chance to roll down his cheeks. Walker actually felt a bit sorry for that little Scottish Foxy. Maybe he'd just have one drink with the kid, why not. Walker walked to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of Scotch and two glasses, and sat down on the other side of the couch. After pouring two (large) drinks, he placed one of the glasses in front of Joel. Joel's sobbing started to calm down as he looked at the glass in front of him. He looked at Walker with both appreciation and confusion, as he and Walker both knew they actually hated each other's guts. "Thanks" Joel said, as he avoided the other man's eyes, seemingly ashamed for the tears painting his own eyes red and glassy. In response Walker made a quick lift with his glass towards Joel, and both men started drinking their drink in silence. Walker hoped it could stay silent until the drinks where finished. It was obvious something happened with Theresa, and he really didn't want to have some sort of cozy talk about girl-trouble all night. The thought alone made Walker shiver. He suddenly wished he had just stayed in bed. "She dumped me" Joel suddenly said, snapping Walker out of his daze. Here we go, Walker thought, quickly taking another big gulp of his drink. "Okay." Walker replied trying to sound as non-caring as possible. But the kid didn't seem to notice, or maybe he just didn't care. Joel just stared at the coffee-table and occasionally laughed humorlessly as he started talking about all the things Theresa had done and said, and what a bitch she'd been to him. Walker really couldn't care less. He poured himself and the boy another (large) drink as he didn't really listen to the sob story and just relaxed himself into the corner of the couch, watching the kid talk. Walker still didn't know how it happened, but he caught his thoughts roaming an unfamiliar terrain. He suddenly realized what he was thinking and he quickly shook his head trying to make the thoughts leave. Repositioning himself he timorously tried to focus on what the kid was saying, nevertheless he felt his mind wandering to that taboo-place again and again. He watched Joel's lips as they moved, then he watched his face, and before he knew what was happening he realized that he was checking Joel out. Joel suddenly turned towards Walker, who's eyes couldn't leave Joel's body quick enough for Joel not to notice what he had been doing. Walker heard himself cursing in his head while he and Joel locked eyes. They both looked at each other for a few seconds before Walker broke eye contact to put down his drink. "So, basically she called me a loser and that was the end of it" Joel said quickly taking another sip of his drink.