Page 111 of The Other Brother

I need another beer.

As I head back to the kitchen, I realize anger has set up a permanent home in my stomach, sloshing bitterly.

Part of me is actually pissed at Cody. Pissed that he didn’t care enough about us to stand up to his dad. I get that he was placed in an impossible situation. I get that. But now it’s been weeks, and he still hasn’t changed his mind. He kissed me at the hospital then regretted it.

I arrive in the crowded kitchen, snagging myself another cup as I make a beeline for the keg.

Oz intercepts me before I reach the keg. “Hey, slow down, okay?”

I reach past him. “What are you, my keeper?”

Oz grabs at my arm, stopping me. “Is this about Cody?”

I meet his gaze, and his brown eyes are watching me, concerned. I still my hand and swallow. “Yeah. Pretty much.”

“Come on.” He indicates his head toward the living room.

I reluctantly follow him, pushing past people laughing and talking loudly, avoiding eye contact with anyone.

Oz finds a recently vacated couch and sits down.

I park myself next to him. “You want a heart-to-heart?” I mock.

Oz doesn’t let my tone deter him, giving me a cut-the-bullshit stare. “I’m checking you’re okay. Because I’ve never seen you like this.”

I look away from his gaze. “Yeah, well, it’s never been like this for me before.”

“Did you tell Cody that?”

I shrug. “What’s the point?”

Oz goes to say something, but we’re interrupted by Harvey perching on the side of the couch and leaning down.

“Gee, this conversation looks more serious than an Ebola convention. You guys need to channel a bulb and lighten the hell up.” Harvey cackles at his own joke.

Neither Oz nor I laugh.

His face goes serious, and he looks between us. “What’s going on?”

“Just talking about Ryan and Cody’s breakup,” Oz says reluctantly.

“It was always going to be a shit storm,” Harvey says.

“Yeah,” I say, standing up. “Yeah, it was.”

I quit my quest to get another beer because I know Oz is still watching me and it’s not worth arguing with him. Instead, I go watch the game of beer pong that has started on the dining room table.

“You in, Ryan?” Eddie asks me, offering me up an orange ping pong ball.

“Nah.” I’m not in the playing mood tonight.

“Where did you run away to before?” It’s Jasmine again, sidling up to me.

“Just needed a refreshment break,” I say.

“I thought we could get to know each other better.”

She’s hot, with long hair and pouty lips. She’s lost the lollipop, but her lips shine with its syrupy sweetness.