Page 86 of Run
“Right!” he says to me, again giving my body a once-over. “She thinks since we’re in the suburbs there’s no need—”
“It’s because I feel safe here,” Ari mumbles from the couch.
I take in that statement.
I feel safe here …With these people. With this man who came running down here late at night to check on her when he heard a noise. She hasn’t once flinched like she’s afraid he’s going to hurt her for waking him up. And she’s not silent like she always was around new people.
Larry—Lars—takes steps toward the door, then stops and scratches his head, his hair flying in all directions as he looks at the floor. “So, Ari, you’re a grown woman and can certainly do what you want and make your own choices. So, I’m going to head back upstairs, as long as this is, you know, a choice you’re making and it’s something that you want and you’re not, um, being forced or anything …” He lets out a breath as Ari mumbles “ohmygod” and buries her head in her hands.
“Lars, Ethan is going to go now. Right, Ethan?” She turns her head slightly so she can see me with one eye peeking between her thumb and forefinger.
I smirk. “Yeah, Red. If that’s what you want, I’ll get going.”
She frowns at me, probably wondering how I can suddenly be so comfortable in this situation. I clear my throat and toss Ari’s sweater on the couch.
“Don’t leave on my account,” her foster dad says with an awkward, forced laugh. “I didn’t mean to ruin anyone’s fun.” He spreads his arms out wide and then claps them in front of himself.
Ari throws herself back onto the couch and covers her eyes with her arm. I chuckle.
Larry starts to head toward the door, then stops and spins back around. “It’s just—”
“Ohforfuckssake,” Ari grumbles, grabbing a pillow off the couch and burying her face in it.
“Now, just hear me out.” He turns toward me, and I square my shoulders, straighten up, and look him in the eyes. “Goodness,” he whispers, looking me up and down again, “you’re a big dude.” I simply smile, and he runs a hand down his face. “Let me just get one thing off my chest, and then I promise I’ll get the hell out of here as fast as I can.” He clears his throat. “Ethan, you grew up with Ari, correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
“So, you know better than anyone what her life has been like.” It’s not a question, but I nod anyway. “Right. So, I just want to make sure your intentions are …” He looks over to Ari, who peeks around the pillow at him. “We love Ari like she’s our own—Meg and me. We have loved all our foster children, but she and Sophie may as well be our daughters. And Ari has been through hell and back, and we just don’t want anything to set her back or bring her anything other than happiness.”
Ari slowly lowers the pillow, her eyes watery as she looks at Larry, who is looking at me. “I just want to make sure your intentions with Ari are pure.” He gives a little huff, as if he knows he sounds dated.
I take two slow steps toward him, arm outstretched. As he takes my hand for the second time tonight, I tell him, “Mr. Miller, sir. You and I want the same thing for Ari, and I will dedicate every day to making sure she is never anything but happy.”
He nods, eyes wide, as if taken aback. Then he smiles. “Good. Well, we’re all on the same page.” Realizing he’s still shaking my hand, he drops it quickly. “OK, then, I’m going to run far, far away from here now.”
“Wait,” Ari pipes up, and Larry spins and faces her.“Yes, dear?” he answers without hesitation.
“Can you come help me up?”
“Oh, sure. Of course.” He rushes toward her and helps her stand, then she throws her arms around his neck and whispers something in his ear. Immediately his arms go around her and he whispers something back.
I take a moment to appreciate this scene. This is a moment all of us—all three of us—didn’t know we needed. Ari has never had someone look out for her, and I’ve never had someone put so much trust in me. I would guess Larry has never had the opportunity to flex his dad muscle.
They separate, and Larry heads upstairs without any more fanfare.
“Let me help you to bed,” I say softly.
When we get to it, Ari practically throws herself down, letting out an exaggerated breath. “I can’t decide if I’m wide awake or dead tired.”
“I know what you mean.”
We lock eyes for a moment, and she starts pulling at the shirt—my shirt—that she’s wearing. “Here. Take this back so you don’t have to drive home half naked.”
“No,” I reach out a hand and stop her. “Sleep in it.”
After helping her get under the sheets, I sit on the side of the bed and lean over Ari, resting my forearms on either side of her head. I rub a thumb along her temple and lean down to kiss her softly. “You good?”
She nods.
