Page 49 of The Incredible Ordinary

“I’ve got to finish my homework,” he says.

He takes his plate to the sink and puts it in the dishwasher, then comes back and picks up my plate, too.

“Thanks,” I say.

He nods.

Once he closes the door of the dishwasher he sends me another look and then points toward his room.

It’s my turn to nod.

“Don’t stay up too late,” I say, and for once it doesn’t sound completely unnatural coming out of my mouth.

He rolls his eyes at me and walks out.

I look after him.

I don’t know what my role is in his life. A guardian in name, but I’m still not sure what that even means or what it should look like when done right. A brother. It doesn’t feel like I’ve even begun to earn the right to that title.

Everything I do seems to be a “one step forward and two steps back” type of situation. Little rises followed by massive falls.

Do you want to be his brother?

I don’t think I’ve properly asked myself that question so far. Until now, I’ve been operating under the stubborn assumption that I’m only here for now. That I will do what I promised Aiden and help, and then I’m gonna get back to my life.

But can I? What kind of asshole would that make me to set out to win Rory’s trust and then dump him like a hot potato?

It would make me Gerard. I would repeat history, only somehow make it even worse.

I clutch the back of my neck and squeeze my eyes shut.

Not that I know how to do that anyway. Gain his trust.

Trust takes time.

Jordan’s voice is clear and strong in my head.

I take a deep breath.

“Baby steps,” I mutter to myself. Both for me and Rory.

Maybe I don’t have to have it all figured out right this second.

Maybe for now I just have to accept that the fact that I’m trying is a step in the right direction.

Jordan pullsthe door open and smiles at me and Rory.

“You made it. Come in, come in.”

We step past him into a hallway of his Prospect Heights townhouse. It’s one of those classy homes with clear history, built sometime around the nineteenth century, and it probably has things like high ceilings, fireplaces, dining alcoves, and original hardwood floors. Nothing like our apartment in a newdevelopment where all the apartments are almost identical to each other, like they’re mass produced.

I let out a low whistle. “Nice,” I say when I look around.

Jordan chuckles. “Dad’s house. I’ll pass on the compliment.” He rests his hand on the banister and calls out, “Theo.”

There’s a thump and then the sound of footsteps before Theo appears on the stairs. He jogs down and stops next to Jordan. He sends Rory a cautious smile and a “Hey.”

“Hi,” Rory mutters, more to his feet than to Theo.