False Enemies

Chapter 7

"Jesus, go to sleep!" Andy growled at her brothers. They ignored her altogether, continuing to throw Pringles at each other. "I'm too tired to deal with your shit anymore."

"Go ahead," David, the first twin said.

"I'll tell Dad you said shit," Dylan, the other one, added.

I could only tell them apart because Dylan had a freckle underneath his right eye and David didn't. Other than that, they were identical.

Andy threw her head back and sighed. I could literally hear her counting under her breath before she addressed her brothers again.

"You have a quarter to be in beds before I call Dad and have him cut off electricity in the house," She threatened.

Their parents were out for the weekend, having left Andy in charge of her brothers. They did that a lot, even back in high school, which always ended in some kind of a disaster.

Dylan jumped on the couch and craned his neck to send Andy a glare. "You wouldn't dare."

Andy's eyes widened. "Watch me," She lifted her phone, tilting it from side to side. "One call and you can wave your MMA goodbye."

"Fine," Dylan tore his eyes off the screen and looked at his sister, too. "I'll go to bed if she," he pointed at me. "comes with me."

I barked out a laugh. "I don't do jailbaits, kid," I told him. "I could read you a bedtime story if you want, but that's all you'll get."

A slow grin spread Dylan's lips and his eyes twinkled when he looked at me. "Works for me."

"Fine," I said. "Then run upstairs and choose between Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White and I'll be right up to read it to you."

"But I prefer other stories," Dylan countered, still smirking. "The ones that involve roleplay are the best."

I laughed harder while Andy paled. "What the hell?" She exclaimed, her eyes darting from David who was busy laughing his ass off to Dylan who looked extremely pleased with himself. "Where did you get that from?"

Dylan's smile just widened.

"That's it," Andy stated, shaking her head. "I'm having Dad cut off the Internet, too. This is where you get that shit from."

David laughed harder, looking like he was about to fall off the couch. I lifted my brows, planting my hands on my hips. "I've seen the two of you run around this house naked when you were three," I reminded them. "This," I waved a finger between me and Dylan. "is not happening."

"But it's not fair, then," David cut in. "If you've seen us naked and we haven't-"

"All right, do whatever you want, I'm done listening to it," Andy lifted her hands in the gesture of surrender. "Just get your asses in beds before midnight."

And with that, she grabbed my arm and tugged me out of the living room.

"Ow, come on, Andy!" One of the twins – I wasn't sure which one – yelled after us. "Don't be so stiff!"

I glanced over my shoulder at them, making the phone gesture. "Call me when you're legal," I told both of them. They hollered and we disappeared up the stairs.

Andy slammed the door of their bedroom shut behind us. She pressed her back to it, staring ahead with wide eyes.

"That's it," She said, unblinking. "I'm scarred for life. This was..." She cut off. Ran her hands down her face. Shook her head. "I don't even have words. I swear they get worse every year."