Page 89 of Run
“Is this weird?”
“Is what weird?”
“That we didn’t talk for several years and now we’re all, ‘I’m waiting with bated breath for your phone call?’”
Another crunch, and then he answers with a full mouth. “Nope. In fact, I think it’s the most right thing that’s happened in a long time.”
I flop back onto the bed and after a moment of silence ask, “So, you know that guy Gino, Knox’s friend?”
“The one Sophie was talking to last night?” I hear him stomping up the stairs, then the opening and closing of cupboards.
“Yes, him. He asked Knox for her phone number.”
“Go Soph!”
“Right! Thing is, she has a hard time believing he would actually be into her.”
“Why’s that?” More crunching, but louder. Then, with a full mouth, “Sophie’s awesome.”
“What are you eating now?” I ask.
“Cereal.”
“Ah … Anyway, I told Sophie the same thing—that Gino would be lucky to have her—but she still lacks confidence, and I feel like some therapy in the form of pampering will help.”
Ethan is quiet briefly, then says, “I assume Sophie’s hesitation comes from her past experiences?”
“You could say that.” I sit up and swing my legs to the side of the bed. From here I can reach the dresser, so I pull a drawer open and dig around for a pair of underwear, then open another drawer and find a pair of jeans. “She hasexperience, if you will. But it’s all just so sad. Violated repeatedly by the men who should have protected her, one after another. No wonder she doesn’t trust anyone who shows interest.”
“Is your past similar to hers?” Ethan asks hesitantly. “Your romantic past, that is?” I pause with my pants pulled up to my thighs and gulp. After a moment Ethan adds, “You don’t have to answer that.”
“It’s not that, it’s just … I’m honestly considering the question.” I zip and button my pants. “In some ways, yes. In other ways, absolutely not.”
The line is quiet again before Ethan lets out a heavy breath. “I will never regret anything more in my life than leaving you in that house.”
“Ethan, I have never been angry at you for leaving. Ever. I’m happy for you. Proud of you. Besides, I left first, technically.” A beat goes by, and I decide to turn the tables. “What about your past?”
“What about it?” His answer comes out garbled.
“Are you eating something else?”
“Yogurt. What do you want to know?”
“OK … How many?”
“How many what?”
“How many women have you been with?” I hear what sounds like him scraping the bottom of the bowl. “Good grief,” I say when he doesn’t answer. “I’m just looking for a ballpark answer here. Are we talking dozens?”
“No! For God’s sake, Ari.” He sighs. “I had a handful of relationships—girlfriends, I guess you could say. And then a handful of casual encounters.”
After a beat, Ethan asks, “So, what’s your number?”
I close my eyes and suck in a breath. Just the fact he’s asking means Fonz told him the sordid details of my time with Sean. And I’m sure my hesitation to answer his question lets him know that I know. But he doesn’t give me an out this time. He just waits for me to reply.
“Three,” I say softly. “Including Sean, it’s three.”
Silence. Eerie, black silence. “Ethan?” I check to see if he’s still there.
