Page 54 of The Other Brother

“That’s cool.”

“My mum is skeptical about the idea. I don’t think she thinks I’m serious enough. She’s probably right. I’ll be goofing around doing something stupid and will mess up.”

“Are you kidding, Ryan? You were amazing when you saved that kid, so focused. You’ll be an incredible paramedic.” He says the words with such certainty, like they are the absolute truth.

I try to control the blood flooding my face. Forget about our parent’s relationship being radioactive, it feels like my face has just been contaminated, judging by the amount of heat it’s giving out.

“Yeah, the problem is the biology teacher was my year nine science teacher, and she hates me,” I say.

“Why does she hate you?”

“Among other things, I may or may not have tried to set some personal gas alight with the Bunsen burner.”

Cody grins. “Thanks for that mental image.”

“No problem. I aim to please.”

I finally raise my eyes to his, and we grin at each other.

“I’ll tutor you, if you want?” His voice is casual, but there’s a tremor of something underneath.

My heart skips. Cody tutoring me means a regular, scheduled time for us to hang out.

“Are you any good at biology?” I ask.

Cody just quirks an eyebrow.

“Oh right, you’re a genius at biology, like you are at everything else. Why did I even bother asking?”

Cody swallows. “So, do you want a tutor? You can pay me in more surfing lessons.”

“Yeah sure, sounds like a deal.” I shrug my shoulders like it doesn’t really matter. Like my heart hasn’t just started skittering at the prospect of Cody tutoring me, more surfing lessons. More Cody.

“Awesome.”

He grins at me, and I know I’m matching it, lip curve for lip curve.

I try to douse down the happiness that continues to bubble inside me with every Cody smile.

And now I’ve got a whole lot of tutoring to look forward to.

Chapter14

Sunday afternoon I’m in the back seat of my parent’s car on my way to exciting times unpacking boxes.

Kate and Chris ended up deciding to get their own apartment straight away rather than endure the gauntlet of bruised parents' egos by choosing one over the other. Which sucks for them, as I know they wanted to save up some money before the baby comes.

In the car I put up a mild level of complaint that I’ve got other things I’d prefer to be doing, but Mum makes it clear that if I want to keep borrowing her car, my presence is a mandatory thing.

Apparently, Frank and Heather are helping them unpack in the morning and we’re rostered on the afternoon shift. I say a quick prayer to the moving gods that Frank and Heather have advanced unpacking skills, so the bulk of the work will be done by the time we get there.

There’s only one problem— when we turn up Frank’s car is in the driveway.

My spirits lift. Chances are Cody’s been roped into helping Kate unpack too.

The other weekend Cody and I spent the entire party hanging out together. And we’ve been continuing to message each other every day since. Just sending each other funny shit we know will make the other laugh. Every time I see a message from him on my phone, another bubble of happiness froths up inside my chest.

But that’s okay. You’re allowed to be happy when your friend contacts you.