Page 9 of Some Things Never Change

I cocked an eyebrow at the two of them. “Why don’t you two just break into Stonebrook for a quick run on the tracks? I’m sure you two could easily jump over the fence.”

Anthony cocked an eyebrow back at me. “Two adult men breaking into a high school? I doubt that would go well with the security crew.”

“Or the newspaper,” laughed Andy.

“Or with Mom,” said Anthony. The brothers shared a glance as they both laughed together. “She’d kill us.”

They looked back at me. “Aren’t you supposed to be a goody two-shoes?” asked Andy. “Why are you suggesting we break into a high school?”

I rolled my eyes as Anthony motioned us to start jogging. “Shut up. I was only suggesting.”

“Suggesting that we be criminals,” laughed Andy.

Before I knew it, we were jogging alongside one another in sync, me in the middle. We ran in silence for a while as hot streams of breath followed behind each of us. It was early morning, and we were three crazy people running around out in the icy cold weather. There were no cars on the roads. It was also the morning after Christmas, so no one was in sight.

Once we got into the right tempo, Anthony spoke up. I caught the side glance he gave Andy and me. “So, you two are going to be roommates, huh?”

Thankfully Andy answered first, because I was heaving. “No shit.”

“Good. I was worried about Julie moving to Santa Mariana and being by herself. It’s dangerous for a woman to live alone, you know?”

“Why do you think I offered her my extra room? She’d be safer living with someone she knows.”

I looked between the two brothers while trying to keep up with their long and strong strides. “Stop talking about me as if I’m not here,” I said through heavy breaths.

They finally looked down at me, both of them wearing smirks. Anthony glanced back at Andy and then at me. A smug smile stretched wide across his lips. He wasn’t going to apologize.

“Sorry, Tink,” said Andy, instead. “I forgot you were there for a moment.”

“Don’t make me run home by myself,” I threatened.

“Even if you try, Andy will just throw you over his shoulder and run anyway,” said Anthony. He started to snicker. “You’re practically a sack of potatoes to us, Julie.”

“Har har,” I pretended to laugh. “I doubt either of you would be able to do that.”

While Andy scoffed, Anthony snorted at my statement. “Actually, I can.”

“You’re underestimating him too much,” said Anthony, shaking his head at me.

“All the way to the stoplight?” I said, pointing up the block in front of us. “No, he can’t.”

We were still a whole block away from the stoplight ahead. There was no way he’d be able to carry me, an extra hundred and thirty-five pounds, over his shoulders and still run all the way there.

Suddenly, Andy slowed to a sudden stop. Anthony and I turned back to face him, confused. He just stood there, taking huge inhales of air and expanding his chest large and wide as long white puffs exhaled out.

“Andy, are you okay?” I asked, trying to catch my breath.

“Are you okay with me carrying you all the way to the stoplight?” asked Andy curiously.

“You won’t be able to.”

“I need you to say yes or no.”

I shrugged. “Sure, I guess. But, only if you can. Don’t stress about it, because you might break your back.”

Andy shook his head and began to lightly jog again. As he approached me, he leaned down to grab my arm and the back of one of my thighs. Then, flipped me over one of his shoulders in a single swoop.

I was completely caught off guard. It wasn't until I found myself looking down at the pavement that I fully comprehended what had just happened. Anthony let out his famous high-pitched laugh, but I only heard it for a second. We were already off and down the street.

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