Page 66 of The Change Up
“I cannot wait to get you out of this dress, again.”
Cody reaches for the handle to unlock the door, he doesn’t have a chance to open it before I drop a bomb on his mood. “Except your sister is staying with you, so no action tonight.”
His head hits the back of the door, and he lets out a frustrated groan. I can’t help the laugh that escapes. He opens the door, and we are met with angry stares. Cody smirks at them as he takes my hand in his, leading us to the kitchen.
We step in the kitchen and find the guys, Brynn, and Leah gathered around the kitchen island. Cheers and claps erupt as we enter.
“Damn, dude!” Hudson shouts as he continues clapping. My face feels like it’s on fire. Cody isn’t bothered at all, and why would he be? He’s used to being in the spotlight, and he’s definitely not shy with his previous conquests.
“I could’ve gone without knowing what you two were doing in the bathroom,” Leah says from where she’s sipping from a red plastic cup.
Cody slides his arm around my shoulders and pulls me in closer to him. “Oh, I just needed Chloe’s help with—um—“
“Getting off?” Brynn mumbles, and the guys crack up.
“Ew,” Leah says, reaching for the tequila. “Shots?”
“Yes!” I shout, thankful for the topic change. Cody stares his sister down, and she quirks her eyebrow.
Grabbing a glass from Leah, I hold it in the air. “Happy birthday, Leah!”
Sounds of ‘happy birthday’ echo in our space as we all down our drinks.
Iwoke up Sunday morning on the plush couch in our attic. There was no way I was having my little sister or girlfriend sleep up here in a room without a door. Not that they wouldn’t be safe, but it still gave me peace of mind knowing they weren’t sleeping out in the open.
There was also no way I was sharing a bed with my little sister. When we were younger, no big deal, but not today. Plus, she snores, and I need my beauty rest.
Coach canceled all practices and workouts for today, and I couldn’t be more thankful. I think the whole team could use a lazy Sunday after we’ve had weeks of endless baseball.
Making my way down the stairs, I take in the calmness of the house. It’s completely different from the chaos that surrounded the house when I went to bed sometime around two this morning. Leah and Chloe went to bed around midnight, both of them heavily intoxicated. Chloe isn’t a big drinker, so it didn’t take her long to reach her limit, and my sister surprised me withhow much she could put away. It seems that she’s been living quite the double life back home.
The house is trashed, plastic cups and cans litter the floor and counters. Furniture is still piled in corners, but it doesn’t matter. It can all be cleaned. Yesterday I pitched the best game of my career, and nothing, and I mean nothing, was stopping me from celebrating.
Not even a text from my dad who told me I shouldn’t have let Daniels get a hit off.
His texts are getting easier to just swipe to delete, especially since Leah was under my roof and not his. Only a few more months, and I’ll be able to get her out of there for good. She hasn’t talked to me much about her plans post-high school, but whatever they are, I’m ready to move her into the house until the fall. And then it’s time to cut all contact with my parents. I hate this for my mom, but what has she done to stop my dad’s lashings for me and Leah?
Reaching for the coffee grounds, I go to open the coffee maker and find that a pot of coffee awaits. Turning on my heels, I spot a lone figure sitting at the dining room table, her dark hair—the same shade as mine—gathered in a messy bun on the top of her head. Her head rests on her arms which are resting on her bent knees. Leah looks so much like the little girl I grew up with.
“Morning, Big Bro.”
Smiling, I finish pouring myself a cup of coffee and head to the empty seat next to her. “Morning, Bug. How’d you sleep?”
“Did you know your girlfriend is a cuddler?”
I chuckle because of course I know that, but also because Chloe is the clingiest sleeper. It’s like she’s slept alone for so long that now that I’m finally in her bed, she refuses to let me go again.
“She cling to you all night?”
“Oh my gosh, all freaking night. It was super cute but also super gross because I’m not you. She’s a good one, brother.”
“She really is.” Bringing my mug to my lips, I let the rich, nutty coffee slide down my throat. There really is nothing better than coffee when hungover.
“You’re an idiot for what you did that summer. But I get why you did it.”
“How are things at home?” I watch as she starts to spin the wheels in her head to make the truth sound better than it actually is. “The truth, Bug.”
An exasperated chuckle leaves her lips as she shakes her head. “It’s always the same, Cody. He’s miserable. I swear Mom stays medicated so she doesn’t have to deal with him. It makes her complacent—she does whatever he asks. I’ve been staying with friends more than normal and blaming it on senior year exams. They seem to buy it. There’s only a few more months to go, and I can get out of there.”
