Page 41 of The Other Brother

“I just want to get the last of my assignment finished. Then I will veg out on the couch,” Mel says when we finish dinner.

“Go do it now,” Cody says. “I’ll clean up here.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, no problem.”

“Thanks,” Mel gives him an affectionate grin.

“God, you are such a suck-up,” I say to Cody after Mel heads upstairs.

“It’s called being a nice brother. You should try it sometime,” Cody says. His comment should sting, but he’s said it in a teasing tone, and no maliciousness lurks beneath his words.

“Nah, why change habits of a lifetime?” I start clearing the table.

“You don’t have to do that,” Cody says.

“I’ll help you with the dishes.”

“But you cooked,” he protests.

“Yeah, it turns out that I’m capable of both cooking and doing the dishes. I know, I know. It’s hard to believe so much talent resides in one person.”

“You’re definitely unbelievable,” Cody agrees with a grin.

We clear the plates away from the table and start rinsing and stacking.

Cody steps back from the sink just as I’m heading to the fridge to put leftovers away.

His hip brushes against mine and our legs collide. My stomach flips. We both jerk away like we’ve been electrocuted.

“Sorry,” I say.

“My fault,” he murmurs.

His blue eyes catch mine, and I’m trapped, caught in Cody’s gaze. We continue to stare at each other.

The spell is broken as Mel thunders down the stairs. We both turn to look at her.

“I thought you were busy studying while we were slaving away.” I put some distance between Cody and me. My heart thumps more than doing the dishes usually inspires.

“I was, but Kate’s just called. And she’s got some news to share.”

Mel hits speakerphone and puts her phone on the middle of the counter.

“Hey, Kate,” Cody says.

“What’s up, Katydid?” I say. Hey, if you’re going to dish out nicknames like rhinoceros, you’ve got to be prepared for retaliation. And it’s a toss-up whether a large horny grey mammal or a weird mutant grasshopper is a worse insult.

Cody flicks me a glimmer of a smile, which I take as approval of my nickname-giving prowess.

“I’ve got some news.” Kate’s voice is full of suppressed excitement, reminding me of six months ago when she called to tell us she was pregnant. Mum immediately burst into tears.

I eye Mel and Cody suspiciously. Hopefully, there’s not going to be any waterworks at whatever this news is.

“Well, don’t let us die from the suspense,” I say when she doesn’t continue. “What is it?”

“I’m moving home!”