Page 75 of The Other Brother

“It’s going well so far,” Kate says. “He really likes the team he’s working with.”

“Have you put out any feelers for jobs?” Mum asks Kate. “I know you’ll want to take some time off with the baby, but it can’t hurt to let firms know you’re around.”

“I don’t know if I’ll go back to being an accountant.” Kate’s trying for a casual tone, not making eye contact as she helps herself to the beans.

“But you just got registered.” Mum’s brow pinches.

“I know. But I’ve spent enough time working as an accountant to realize I don’t really like it.”

Mum huffs. “In this economy you can’t afford to be picky. Your resume already will look choppy, like you can’t stick to anything.”

“Do you have another area you think you’re interested in?” Dad asks. He must have been a tightrope walker in a previous life the way he balances being a good stepdad and not pissing off Mum.

“Not really. I was going to take my time on maternity leave to think about it,” Kate says.

“Hmm,” Mum says.

“Anyway, how’s school going for you, Ryan?” Kate turns to me. She knows the easiest way to get parental scrutiny off her is to redirect it to my average scholastic career.

It’s a proven fact that Mum can talk for hours about how I’m not living up to my potential. I’ve been meaning to investigate whether Mum will qualify forThe Guinness Book of World Recordsfor the longest parental lecture, but I’ve never gotten around to it.

“School’s good. I got anAon my biology test.” I grin at her. “Is science something you’ve ever considered as a career option?”

Ha. I just returned her shot with a clean backhand slice. Even Cody the tennis player would be impressed.

“Ryan’s done a great job of getting his grades up so far this semester,” Mum says proudly.

“And have you decided what you want to do when you graduate, besides go surfing all the time?” Kate asks.

“I’m thinking about being a paramedic,” I say calmly.

“A paramedic? Really?” It’s amazing how Kate can inject so much skepticism into three words. It’s a talent.

“Yeah, a paramedic.” I meet her gaze straight on. “I’ve actually contacted the local precinct to see if I can watch them in action, make sure it’s something I’d like to do. After all, I don’t want to spend all the time, effort, and money training for a job then change my mind after only a few months.”

Kate gives me a horrid look. It’s game, set, and match to me.

“Hasn’t Cody been helping you study?” Mel asks. I’ve forgotten about how my sisters do this, tag team their attacks on me. But this time, her attempt to help Kate out causes my heart rate to speed up for an unanticipated reason.

I turn to her. “How do you know that?”

“Dad and Heather were talking about it.”

My heart thuds harder. “What did they say?”

Mel gives me a weird look. “Just that he’s been tutoring you.”

Kate frowns. “I didn’t realize you and Cody were friends.” Now both of my sisters are looking at me like I’m a puzzle they need to solve.

My mouth dries out. Will they work out Cody and I are more than friends?

Yep, paranoia is definitely taking over the building.

I take a huge gulp of my water.

“You know we hung out at the beach together this summer. He’s kind of cool,” I manage.

“It’s nice of him to tutor you. I hope you’re not taking advantage of him,” Kate says.