Page 13 of The Other Brother
I turn off the hose.
“Race you for the first shower,” I say, taking off through the door.
I’m not expecting Cody to engage, but then I hear footsteps on the floorboards behind me in the kitchen, and he’s right on my tail as I streak through the living room.
We’re side-by-side on the stairs, jostling each other with our elbows.
He slips ahead when we reach the hallway, but I tackle him to slow his momentum, and we both crash into the bathroom door at the same time and slide down it, laughing through our panting.
“What’s with all the noise?” Mel emerges from her room, squinting down at us. The front bit of her hair is tufted up like it’s been in an electric storm.
I stand up, putting a hand down to help haul Cody to his feet. He accepts my hand but lets go as soon as he’s standing.
“Sorry we woke you,” he says to Mel.
“Don’t worry. I had to get up soon, anyway. The painters are arriving this morning. Have you been for a run?”
I can’t help rolling my eyes at how polite their interaction is. What are we, in a remake ofThe Brady Bunch?
“Yeah, and Ryan’s been for a surf,” Cody says.
Mel eyes me with amusement. “Out of bed before midday? That’s impressive for you.”
I give her a withering glare in reply. Then I turn to Cody.
“So, I think it was a tie. Does that mean we have to shower together?” I raise an eyebrow suggestively.
“Uh… no…” Cody backs away from me.
I put my hands up, all innocent. “Just kidding.”
Mel rolls her eyes. “Don’t mind Ryan. He missed out on any social etiquette genes.”
“Nah, it’s okay. You can have the first shower.” Cody doesn’t meet my eyes.
I’m not going to argue. Goose bumps prickle my skin, and the floorboards are like ice under my feet. I go into the bathroom and strip my board shorts off quickly then jump under the sweet, sweet warmth.
While I’m soaping myself, I push away all thoughts about the way Cody’s body felt pressed up against mine. After his reaction to my joke about showering together, I’m guessing he’s straight. It shouldn’t matter to me either way, because as cute as he is, I will never go there with my sisters’ other brother. But I can’t pretend I’m not curious. I’ve never heard Mel or Kate mention Cody having a girlfriend. Maybe I should just ask Mel casually if she knows what way he swings? Say I’m asking for a friend?
I can’t help snorting as I imagine Mel’s reaction to that. Mel and Kate barely blinked when I told them a few years ago I was into both guys and girls, but I can imagine their laid-back attitude might change if they think I want to hook up with Cody.
As I turn off the water, my mind moves on to how Cody apologized to Mel for waking her. Have I ever apologized to my sisters without being forced to by a parental unit? If it had just been me here, I would have come up with some smartass reply. And Mel would have responded and it would have descended into one of our usual brother/sister battles that we excel at.
My mind runs through the conversation that would’ve happened in the alternative reality where Cody wasn’t here.
Mel: What’s with all the noise?
Me: What’s with the Wicked Witch of the West impression?
Mel: At least I’m not the brainless Scarecrow.
There’s a funny feeling in my stomach as I get out of the shower. I mean, I’ve always known Cody has a better relationship with our sisters than I do. But it’s still weird to observe it at close range.
After breakfast,Cody retreats into his room, and the sound of the piano drifts down the stairs. While I could probably spend my morning hovering in the hallway listening, it might disturb Cody to discover me there.
The painters turn up and start putting up scaffolding so they can paint the top level of the house. 'Cause I’ve got nothing else to do, I offer to help them.
Maybe I should consider house painting as a career option? I’d get to be outside lots, which is a big bonus. Although my parents would probably moan I’m not using my brain enough. And painting might get repetitive after a while.
