Page 161 of Run
The street starts to incline, and I slow as I hoof my way up to where it flattens out at the top, and I see a longer stretch of road and sidewalk that ends in a cul-de-sac, with Ethan’s Jeep parked at the end of it. He leans against it, arms crossed over his chest, ankles crossed in front of him, waiting for me.
I pause briefly at the top, leaning over to rest my hands on my knees as I catch my breath. And then I take off again. I pump my arms and legs as fast as they will go as the houses pass by and I close the distance between us. When we’re several feet apart, Ethan pushes away from the truck and opens his arms, and I jump into them.
“Umph!” he grunts at the impact, and I remember he’s still recovering. I wrap my arms and legs around him, and he holds me tight.
“Ethan?” I say into his neck.
“Yeah?”
“Take me home so we can make up for all our lost time.”
He sighs into my hair. “Anything for you, Red.”
EPILOGUE
Three Years Later
ETHAN
“I’m right. Tell me I’m right. I know I’m right.” Lizzie stands in the doorway of my office, using her hip to block Monty from entering.
“Like hell you’re right,” he grumbles from behind her. “The shot of the highway wreckage is way better than the one of the graffiti on the pier.”
“It’s not just graffiti.” Lizzie looks at me. “It’s a giant penis on the side of the pier, perfectly placed so it looks like thesprinkling water coming from the crack, is coming from the tip. It’s brilliant!”
“It’s childish!”
I swivel from side to side in my chair, laughing. “Look”—I put my hands up—“I don’t decide placement. I simply follow the layout orders.”
“But which do you think would make people pick up the paper?” Lizzie asks, finally stepping to the side so Monty can step in next to her.
I try to hold in my laugh. “I mean, a dick pic is kinda funny.”
“HA!” Lizzie turns and points in Monty’s face, as he throws his hands up.
“Juveniles—all of you.”
“Why are we juveniles? What’s happening?” Dee pokes her head between Monty and Lizzie.
“Nothing.” Monty snaps at her. “We certainly don’t want your opinion on the matter.”
I laugh out loud this time. Sure, I could work somewhere more lucrative, but I wouldn’t give up these office antics for the world.
My phone vibrates in my pocket and I fish it out, seeing my wife’s name flash across the screen. “Hey, baby,” I answer.
“Ooooh, ask her opinion!” Lizzie yells loud enough for Ari to hear. “Ari, what’s better? Car crash or penis?”
Ari giggles in my ear and it activates my dick, so I shift my position. “Penis, obviously,” she says.
I tip the phone slightly and say to my coworkers, “Ari says penis.”
“Booya!” Lizzie cheers as Monty sighs.
“Ethan,” Ari gets my attention.
“Yeah, sorry about that, Red. What’s up?”
There’s a moment of silence, and then, “It’s time.”
