Page 91 of The Other Brother

He raises his gaze to mine. “It’s epic,” he whispers.

We stare at each other, and I so badly want to kiss him. I take a step back so I don’t give in to the impulse.

“Can I have your attention, please?” Frank’s voice booms from inside.

“Shit. I’ve got to get in there.” Cody slips the pick and wrapping paper into his pocket and heads back through the doors.

I trail after him, leaving a few feet between us.

Frank stands with Heather, Mel, and Kate on a small, raised stage. An ornate cake stands on a table off to one side.

Cody joins them on the stage, giving his father a quick smile.

The crowd settles down into a whispery quiet as Frank lifts the microphone again.

“Heather and I would like to thank you all for coming to celebrate Cody’s birthday. Cody has made Heather and I so proud over the years. Not just his achievements, but also his attitude, his kindness, the way he approaches everything and everyone with an open heart.”

Cody ducks his head, blushing at his father’s words.

Something stirs inside me. Okay, so I don’t exactly like Frank. In fact, I’m fairly sure hatred of Frank came through the placenta when I was in my mother’s womb, along with all the other vital nutrients. But I can’t help my dislike melting a bit as he continues to speak, so obviously bristling with pride for Cody. And the stuff he says shows that he values who Cody is deep down.

“So, congratulations, Cody, on reaching this milestone. We know that the future holds bright things for you.”

There’s a polite round of applause, and then Heather steps forward, taking the microphone from Frank, fumbling with it for a second before finally starting to speak.

“I’m not much of a public speaker, but I would like to add a few words.” She turns to look at Cody. “Cody, you have made me proud to be your mother every day of your life. I couldn’t have wished for a better son. You deserve all the happiness in the world.”

Cody chokes up as he gives his mother a hug, and people clap again.

She hands him the microphone. “Thanks, Mum and Dad. And thanks everyone for coming. Enjoy the party.”

He goes to leave the stage, but Frank pulls him back.

“Don’t go too fast. There’s a cake to cut,” Frank says. “And a song to sing.”

Everyone laughs as Cody rolls his eyes.

The cake is revealed in the shape of piano keys, with eighteen candles, one on each key. Kate lights the candles, and everyone sings "Happy Birthday" to Cody. I keep my voice low as an extra gift to him. I’m sure it must be agonizing for someone as musically talented as him to witness a hundred people butchering a song.

Cody has his concentrating look on as he leans forward to blow out the candles. Everyone claps again, and he raises his eyes to the crowd, scanning. His gaze stops when he finds me.

Kate nudges him, and he obligingly takes the knife from her and makes the first slice.

Formalities over, he steps off the stage where he’s immediately engulfed by well-wishers.

I drift over in Mel’s direction, giving Cody a wide berth.

“Why didn’t you do a speech?” I ask her.

“Dad wanted to keep it simple this time. You know, after the debacle of my twenty-first.”

Shit. Mel’s twenty-first. When Mum and Frank tried to outdo each other in who could be the most doting parent. They also roped Heather and Dad into doing speeches, and then of course, Kate, Cody, and I each had to mumble a few words. It went for over an hour, and my great aunt Anna almost fainted from having to stand up for so long.

“Good call,” I say.

A woman approaches us then. She’s tall and elegant-looking and randomly wearing a light blue sari, although she looks to be as Indian as I am.

“Hey, Aunt Jill,” Mel says.