Page 11 of The Other Brother

“I’d say it’s more of an enduring grudge than a vendetta.”

“I don’t get it. You like grapes, but you don’t like raisins?”

He leans back in his chair. “It’s more about the texture of raisins than the taste.”

“So, you’re biased against shriveled up old things?”

“Play nice, boys,” Mel warns.

I roll my eyes and look over to see Cody’s rolling his eyes too.

“It’s a bit rich, you lecturing us to play nice. Think of all the ways you tortured Kate over the years,” I say.

“I never tortured Kate.”

I snort. “What about the time you hacked her Facebook page and announced to the world she had a crush on Timmy Jones?”

“That’s because she’d just broken my hair straighteners. It was fair retaliation.”

“Remember when you set Kate’s alarm to go off at two am the night before prom?” Cody pipes up.

I whip my head around to look at him.

“I didn’t know that one,” I say, delight in my voice.

Cody smiles, and his face transforms.

“And you totally stole that idea from me, from what I did on the camping trip to Taupo,” I say to Mel.

“I did not steal any idea from you,” Mel says stiffly.

“Oh, and now you’re pulling your Oscar the Grouch face!”

“Oscar the Grouch?” Cody’s eyebrow quirks. “I always thought of that face as her Grumpy Cat impression.”

I can’t help spluttering out a laugh, and Cody joins in. Our laughter intertwines while Mel continues to scowl.

Hmm.

All my life it’s been the Kate and Mel show. Not only have they always done the big sister thing and ganged up on me, but so much in our family has always been based around them. Plans changing to fit with their schedules. Major holidays postponed until they can join us.

I flick a glance at Cody. Who’s still grinning. At me.

Maybe this summer it’s time to change the channel.

Chapter4

The next day I’m out surfing early. The waves are gentler today, and while the rides aren’t as intense, it’s crazy-cool being out with the early sun glinting off the water and the fresh salt air giving my nostrils a spring clean.

I’m about to head in when I notice a lone runner on the beach. As the figure draws closer, I recognize the lean build and curly hair.

Okay, so maybe I time my exit from the water so I intercept him. But hey, it’s a long, lonely fifty-feet walk back to the house. It’s natural to want some company.

Cody stops at the start of the path, leaning forward to rest his hands on his legs as he recovers his breath. He’s wearing a close-fitting T-shirt that shows off his biceps.

“Hey.” Yep, I should win awards for the most original opening line. I stand there, dripping in my wetsuit, sand caking my feet.

“Hey,” he pants. He straightens and pulls up his T-shirt to wipe his forehead, giving me a view of his muscled, tanned stomach.