Page 9 of The Run Back Home

"Seriously? Come on."

I bring the phone back just in time to catch both of my brothers complaining.

"I told you she'd call me back first," Bridget taunts.

My eyes roll toward my high ceiling as I chuckle.

"Really, guys? You did that on purpose?" I ask. "What if I thought something was wrong and you needed me? I'm a nurse, ya know."

"I save lives," we all say in unison.

We laugh, and I can practically picture my mother's heart doubling in size in the background.

"Yeah, we know," Max, the younger of my two brothers, says.

His voice makes me pause. "Wait, where are you guys?"

I hurry to the small window overlooking the front entrance, nerves rushing through me as I scan the lot for Sam's old Ford truck or Max's new one.

"Ma's," Sam, the more sensible one, replies.

I sigh too loudly considering they can absolutely hear my relief and collapse onto the couch. "What's everyone doing there? Max, thanks for all the help moving my stuff, by the way. My big brother lives in the same city I'm transferred to, and I still have to lug my bags around myself?"

"Mom told us you'd be here!" Max cries. "I rushed over right after practice. Accidentally threw Petrov's practice jersey into the wash with the rest of the laundry, so I'll hear about that tomorrow. Pray for my health, please."

Bridget snorts. "It's still astonishing that men worth millions trust Shrinky McGee over here with washing their stuff."

"So true," Sam adds. "You didn't wear a shirt your size your entire junior year."

Max laughs. "Jokes on you guys—I bought them that way. Tighter shirts, bigger muscles. But Mabel would've made me return them if she didn't think she was teaching me a lesson."

I roll my eyes. I can practically see him winking as his voice fades.

"So, when are you getting here?" my sister asks.

"Tomorrow," I say flatly. "Exactly like I told Mom yesterday."

She chuckles. "She definitely rejected that answer in her head and assumed you understood."

"Yeah, well…" I stand from the couch, suddenly motivated to settle into any place that's not Mage Hollow at least just a little. "I'll be there tomorrow like I said. For dinner." I zip my backpack and toss that and one duffle bag over my shoulder.

There's a short silence between us—subtle but not really. "What?" I ask, moving toward the hallway.

"I'm just surprised," Bridget says. "I thought you'd avoid G.C. as long as possible."

I step into my room, my bags slipping from my shoulder at the exact moment her words land. My chest sinks as I take in the queen bed, matching nightstands, a dresser I may or may not use, and a window much larger than the one in the living room.

"It's a big city," I say simply.

"Mhmm," Bridget hums. "But such a small ass world."

I swallow, turning toward the window overlooking what must be the park I passed earlier.

Guess I have that going for me.

"Well, I'll let you go," she mutters, though her tone says everything she isn't.

I clear my throat. "Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow. Love you."