Page 47 of The Other Brother

To ease some of the strangeness of us standing there staring at each other, I pick my wetsuit up off the grass and hang it over the side of the deck as normal. I see Frank giving it a sideways glare.

God, this is awkward.

I follow them into the house.

Shit. We’re not prepared for the scrutiny of parents. The sun streaming through the windows highlights the baked-on cereal on the breakfast dishes strewn over the counter. The living room isn’t too messy, but Cody's and my guitars lie on the couch where we abandoned them after our last jam session.

“Where’s Melanie?” Frank asks, glancing around.

“She must have left already. She’s been doing a course this summer,” Cody replies.

Frank frowns, the lines on his face deepening. He turns to look at me. “Are your parent’s home yet, Ryan?”

“Um… yeah. They got home last night.”

Then why are you still here?He doesn’t say the words out loud, but he doesn’t have to. They’re written on his face for anyone to read.

“I’m going to go pack my stuff,” I say.

As I walk up the stairs, cement has replaced the blood in my body, weighing it down.

I haphazardly chuck my things into my bag. In the three weeks I’ve been here, I’ve managed to scatter my possessions all over the room.

I’ve left my bedroom door open, so it doesn’t surprise me when a minute later Cody is there hovering.

“Sorry about my dad,” he says, not meeting my eyes.

“It’s fine.”

“He’s not normally such a prick.”

“Nah, I get it. He’s jet lagged and just wants to relax. I’m sure the last thing he wants is a reminder of his ex-wife around.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

Cody scrapes his foot against the doorjamb, not saying anything further. It’s like we’ve gone back in time, back to when Cody and I were strangers.

I squeeze past him to go to the bathroom and grab my toothbrush and shampoo.

Cody’s still standing in my doorway when I get back.

I move past him, my body too aware of his proximity.

“I’ll get out of your guys' hair now, make it easier on everyone,” I say as I throw the toiletries into my bag.

“You don’t want to wait until Mel gets back?”

“Nah, I’ll just send her a message.”

Cody blows out a breath. “It’s pretty screwed up, this thing between our parents.”

“Yeah, our families really put the fun in dysfunctional.” I’m trying for lighthearted, though I’m really, severely not feeling it right now.

Cody gives me a strained smile.

“Do you think I should change the bedding?” I gesture to the bed.

“Leave it. I’ll do it later.”