Page 53 of The Other Brother
The deck becomes crowded as more people file out to watch what’s going on in the pool.
Someone crashes into me, which sends me like a domino into Cody. He’s trapped between the railing and me. He reaches out a hand to steady me, but my body presses up against his. Heat charges through me like it’s leading the cavalry on an important quest. It’s flanked by the armies of arousal and desire.
Shit. I quickly take a step back, putting space between us. It’s like how you used to dance with someone at junior high, with two feet of a no-go zone between you.
I take a gulp of my beer, trying to calm my racing heart as a memory I’ve been trying to suppress rises to the surface.
That moment with the hose, I’d been so tempted to kiss him.
As I watch Cody out of the corner of my eye, I can’t help replaying that moment. What would he have done if I’d leaned in and pressed my lips onto his? I have no idea if he’s into guys at all. The way he stared back at me made me think he wasn’t completely against the idea. But I’ve always had an epic imagination, so maybe my mind filtered stuff so I only saw what I wanted to see.
I drain my beer, setting the empty cup at my feet, but make no move to go inside and get another.
Cody’s watching his classmates mess around in the pool with a ghost of a smile.
Maybe I should just casually bring up the topic in conversation? Like, point to the swimmers and politely ask Cody which type of body turns him on. I mean, he kissed Angie Baker, so it doesn’t take many deductive powers to guess girls are on his list. But maybe guys are too?
Although, would it be too obvious why I’m asking?
Cody angles his body toward me. “So, not too long until Kate moves home now, right?”
It’s like he’s poured a whole dose of reality over me. Reminding me why this crush on him is a bad idea. Stuff is so messed up between our parents, and because of Mel and Kate, we will always be connected in some way. I can’t exactly cut him out of my life if things become awkward. And I remember Harvey’s reaction from the party. I can probably live without the judgement that would come if I hook up with my sisters’ other brother.
“Yeah, not long now,” I say. “Hopefully they figure out where they’re living before then.”
A crease appears on Cody’s forehead. “I thought she was coming to stay with us until after the baby was born?”
Oh shit.
I stick my hands in my pockets. “Yeah, I don’t think my mum’s very happy about that idea.”
Cody’s eyebrows fly upwards. “Really?”
“Just more of the usual shit.”
He shakes his head. “I feel so sorry for Kate and Mel sometimes. It must suck, always being caught in the middle of our parents.”
“Yeah.” He’s right. It sucks for our sisters to spend their lives in a minefield created by their parents, knowing a single misstep will cause a bomb to go off. And it sucks for us too.
“Why do you think your mum and my dad hate each other so much?” Cody asks. “It’s been like twenty years, right? You’d think they would have gotten over it by now.”
“I know. I mean, my mum is actually a decent person most of the time. But she totally loses it with anything related to your dad.”
“It’s like that with my dad too.” Cody frowns.
“Maybe some relationships are so toxic that when they end, it’s like nuclear waste. It takes hundreds of years to decay,” I suggest.
Cody grins. “A science metaphor. Impressive.” The smile lighting up his face turns on a switch inside my chest.
I snort. “I’m nerding it up at the moment. I’m doing a full math and science course this year.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep. I’m totally channeling Einstein.”
Cody fixes me with his intense gaze. “What do you want that to lead to?”
I look down at the ground, scraping the toe of my Converse along the bottom of the railing. “I thought I might look at becoming a paramedic.”
