Page 147 of Run
“I told you, Ethan, I’m not proud of my actions. But I’ve been honest with you today. I know what I did was wrong, and I’m forever sorry for the way I just stood by and let Axel treat Arlene. I kicked him out, by the way. He’s come in here looking for me, but I don’t give him the time of day.”
The idea that Axel comes in here—that he could come in now—makes my skin prickle. “You said you have an address?”
“I have it at home. I’m pretty sure I know where it is. Meet me back here tomorrow?”
I nod, looking off at nothing in the distance. Lost in thought.
“I start at noon.”
CHAPTER 47
ARI
Oddly, Ethan is still in bed when I wake. He’s usually downstairs working out, in the kitchen making breakfast, or in the shower. Instead, he’s lying on his stomach next to me, with half his face smashed into the pillow, causing his lips to pucker. They flutter a little with every exhale.
Trying not to move too much, I reach over to the nightstand, searching for either of our phones so I can check the time. I end up grabbing Ethan’s and see it’s just after six, which means I have a few minutes before I have to get up. I turn his phone on silent mode so I can snap a picture of his sleeping form before putting it back on the nightstand, smiling to myself. I hope he comes across that picture at some point and gets a chuckle.
Ethan’s hand twitches on my stomach before it starts to flex and curl against my shirt as the familiar frantic sound of his voice calls out. “Ari? Ari!”
“I’m here.” Rolling onto my side, I place a palm against his cheek. “Wake up, Ethan.”
With a jolt, he pushes himself halfway up, head snapping to either side, looking for me. His eyes settle on my face, and I see relief immediately wash over him. “Shit. Sor—”
I push a finger to his lips. “No apologies, remember?” He nods and purses his lips so they kiss the pad of my finger before pulling me into him as he lays back down.
“They seem to be getting better,” I say as he squeezes me against his body. “At least, you don’t seem as panicked when you wake. And I feel like you haven’t been having nightmares as much lately. Am I right?”
“Mmhmm,” he grumbles against my hair. “They’re definitely less … upsetting.”
I smile sadly, although he can’t see it. “Progress, I guess.”
***
I don’t know how anyone has the energy to teach a roomful of six-year-olds all day, every day. Today has been brutal. The kids were just vibrating with energy from the moment they arrived. From story time, to the days of the week song, to the letter of the day, the kids were nonstop with their questions, and stories about their families and their pets, and their giggles. I even gave them an extra fifteen minutes at afternoon recess for all of our sanity.
I pray tomorrow will be better.
Please, God.
As I’m sitting at the desk of the teacher I’m filling in for, after cleaning up the classroom and sending out all the necessaryemails, I pull my phone out and see I have a missed text message from Lena, which is odd.
My car won’t start and I’m trying to get out of here before Axel gets home. Can you come pick me up?
My skin crawls at just the thought of going back to that house after Ethan and I have come so far over the past several weeks. Also, last I knew, Lena gave Axel the boot. I don’t talk to her much, but every once in a while she reaches out. I don’t know where he’s living now, and Lena claims she doesn’t know, either.
I type out a response.
Want me to see if Ethan can check out your car?
I keep the phone in my hand as I grab my purse and head out of the classroom, walking down the empty hallway and stepping out into the parking lot, scanning for the car I recently leased. The phone chimes in my hand as I stand there and try to remember where I parked several hours earlier.
That will be too late. I’m really afraid Axel is going to come home. Can you just come pick me up?
Shit. I look around and see my car parked across the lot and head toward it, lost in thought. Before I get to the car, my phone chimes again.
Please, Arlene. I’m scared. I need your help
I laugh to myself.Oh,you’rescared?
