Page 31 of The Other Brother

He turns back to me and gives me a look that I can’t interpret before he heads back to score one of the beanbags to sit on.

I don’t follow him, instead remaining in the kitchen where I survey the party.

It’s that coupling up part of the evening. Beth and Jake start making out in the corner. Cody’s friend Marco seems really into my friend Grace. He’s been hanging around her the same way the bonfire smoke is now clinging to our clothes. Grace is a cool customer who normally keeps her cards very close to her chest, so the fact that she’s laughing at something Marco said means she’s interested too.

Cody thankfully doesn’t appear to be looking to make out with anyone. He comes to stand with me in the kitchen.

“Thanks for that,” he says in a low voice.

“No problem.”

“You having a good time?” Cody asks.

“Yeah,” I say automatically.

His arm brushes mine as he moves past me to the fridge. My skin automatically pricks into goose bumps where he touched me. I rub my hands over my arms, pretending that there’s some phantom breeze that’s responsible for my skin’s reaction.

I glance over at the beanbag and see Harvey’s watching me. I cock an eyebrow in the universalWhat?expression, and he glances away.

After Cody closes the fridge, I notice what’s in his hand.

“Switching to Coke already?” I’m fairly sure he’s been nursing one beer most of the evening.

“Yeah. You know better than anyone I can’t really handle my alcohol.” He gives a rueful smile.

Oz drifts over to us before I have a chance to reply.

Annabel, Eddie, and Anika have started a game of poker around the coffee table.

“Come on, Ryan. Come play with us,” Annabel calls.

“Uh, no thanks.”

“It’s strip poker.” Annabel raises an eyebrow suggestively.

“Tempting, but still no. I’ll just enjoy the view you guys provide instead.”

She pouts. “Suit yourself.”

She deals the cards out amongst the players before sending another flirty grin in my direction.

Oz grins at me as he pours himself some punch. “You two looked like you were getting cozy earlier.”

“What?”

“You and Annabel. At the bonfire. You’re not going for a repeat, are you?” Oz asks.

I snort. “Nah, definitely not.”

Oz drifts away, leaving just Cody and me again.

“You hooked up with her?” Cody is staring at Annabel, who’s just lost the first hand and is pulling off her top to wolf whistles from the guys. I have to admit, she fills out a bra spectacularly.

“Yeah. I’ve hooked up with her a few times,” I admit.

He continues to stare at Annabel. I don’t know whether Mel or Kate have ever mentioned my sexuality to him, but after the news Mia gave me earlier, I suddenly decide to share something else with him too.

I nod toward where Nico is sprawled on the couch looking half asleep as he messages someone on his phone. “I’ve hooked up with him too.”