Page 129 of Run
“You couldn’t get a hold of Meg either?”
“No, I couldn’t.” She won’t look at me as Gino slings an arm around her and she picks her drink back up. But I see her keep checking her phone, too.
I try calling again, and this time I leave a message when her voicemail picks up. “Hey, Red. I’m getting a little worried here. I haven’t heard from you in a while and you’re not returning my calls or texts. Just, uh, send me a sign of life, OK?” I swallow. “I love you.”
The table breaks into mindless conversation but I can’t follow. I send Ari another text.
Seriously, Ari … where are you???
I bounce my leg up and down on the footrest of the bar stool, then type out another text.
Gonna send out the cavalry soon!
Finally, unable to sit still any longer, I stand up and push away from the table. “I’m going to drive over to the Millers’ and see if they’ve heard from Ari at all,” I say to the group. “You guys mind hanging out for a bit in case she comes by?”
“Of course,” Knox says, looking concerned himself.
“Thanks.” I pat my pockets to make sure I have my keys, wallet, and phone before turning and practically running out of the bar. I send another text when I get to the Jeep.
And another when I’m stopped at a light.
And then I call her again when I’m on the backroads headed to the Millers’ house.
And just before I lose my mind, as I’m pulling onto their street, the phone rings over the Bluetooth in my Jeep and the nameRedcomes across the screen on the dashboard display.
I hit accept. “Ari?!”
There’s a beat of silence. “Ethan, I’m so sorry, I just … I got caught up and I couldn’t answer the phone. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
Something’s up. Her voice is shaky. “What’s wrong?”
Another moment of silence. “I’m OK, Ethan. I’ve had a bad night, is all. I just pulled into your driveway.”
“What happened?” I make a U-turn in the road and start heading toward my house.
“I’m OK. I’ll fill you in when you get home. Where are you?”
“I’m headed home now. I was almost to the Millers’ house. I was looking for you.”
I hear her take a breath. “I’m sorry I worried you.” Her voice is trembling.
“I’m worried right now,” I say softly as I speed up. “Baby, what’s wrong? What happened tonight?”
“I’ll fill you in when you get here. I’m gonna hang up and go in now. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
“No, wait!” The line goes dead.
Frantic, I dial her back, but she doesn’t answer. I immediately call Fonz, but his phone also rings until the voicemail picks up.
“Son of a bitch!” I slap my palm against the steering wheel and drive faster.
A moment later the Bluetooth rings out through the car again. It’s Fonz calling me back. “Fonz! Are you home? Did Ari come in?”
“Yeah, dude. She’s here.”
“Is she OK. What’s going on?”
He hesitates. “I’m not sure. She went right into the bathroom and she’s only talking to me through the door. Are you on your way home?”
