Page 14 of Arden and the Girl Downstairs

He’s stiff at first, but then he relaxes and hugs me back.

“Thank you, Ralphie,” I whisper. He deserves my gratitude for bringing me to the hospital. Arden does not. That stupid jerk has footed the bill and hasn’t even stopped by.

Who the hell even does that?

Who pays for a stranger’s expensive hospital visit?

Arden. That’s who.

I relax into Ralph’s hug. He reminds me of the dad I never got to know, and it makes me tear up. It doesn’t matter how strong I am, sometimes I just need a hug.

“You’re welcome, Ella. You ready to go?” Ralph asks softly when I finally pull away.

“Yep, let’s blow this joint.” I zip up my bag and swing it over my shoulder. Ralph takes it from me and motions to the chair.

“No way, I can walk.”

“Sorry, Ella, it’s hospital policy.” I want to argue with him, but I know I’ll lose. I’ll pick my battles because I have a feeling that there will be more to come.

“Fine,” I huff and plop unceremoniously into the chair.

Ralph whisks me through the hospital. I wave to Caleb and the friendly nurse, Carla, on my way out.

When we get to the car, Ralph opens the back door of the fancy SUV for me, but I’m having none of that crap. I walk past him and climb into the passenger seat. I can hear him chuckling again as I close the door—that’s the second time in ten minutes he’s laughed. Jerk. Screw sitting in the back.

I want to talk to my new friend.

“How long have you worked for Arden?” I ask him before he even starts the car.

He looks over at me curiously, and I can see he’s debating whether or not he will tell me. Ralph’s answer finally comes as he manoeuvres the car from the hospital car park and out onto the main road. “Sixteen years. I was hired just before his sister was born.”

“How do you do it? I’ve lived downstairs for two months and I already want to suffocate him in his sleep, especially with the crap he’s been doing at the bar every night.”

Ralph laughs again, drawing my attention away from the window I was staring out.

“Sounds about right, but Arden is just Arden. There’s no other way to put it. You either love him or hate him. There doesn’t seem to be an in between.” Ralph’s voice has softened, and it’s evident he really does care for the smeg head.

“I hate him,” I respond coldly and look back out the window.

“Give him a chance. He’s dealing with some stuff at the moment. You should really consider my suggestion. I don’t know why, but I have a feeling you may just be his saving grace. I’ve tried to help him, and I can’t—he’s eighteen. I can’t help him like you can.” Ralph says nothing after that, and neither do I. I don’t want to give Arden a chance. He made it clear from the moment he tried to buy me out of my home that he didn’t care for me, so why would I do him a solid and help him out? Deep down, though, something stirs. What if part of me does want to help him?

Also, what better way to make his life hell? I get the feeling that Arden isn’t used to not getting his way.

We pull into the underground car park at home and Ralph carries my bag into my apartment for me.

“Thanks, Ralphie,” I say, looking at the time on the microwave. “I need to shower before I head to work. I appreciate you picking me up.” I give him another hug. I can’t help it—he’s just a big teddy bear.

“You should take the night off,” he says, concerned. “You’ve just gotten out of hospital.”

“I know, but I need to work. I’m fine.” I pull away and head towards my room, figuring he’ll let himself out. I’m not staying home. I really do need to work.

I feel more like myself by the time I exit the bathroom. It’s amazing what a good shower can do. I’m dressed in my favourite pair of skinny jeans and a shirt that reads: “Don’t talk to me, I’m antisocial.” Chad tries at least once a month to make me wear a uniform, but it never works. I’ve promised not to wear leggings or my slippers while I’m behind the bar, but I refuse to compromise further, and I know for a fact he won’t fire me for it.

When I walk into my kitchen, I find Ralph sitting there eating a cookie.

“Why are you still here?” I look him over and laugh. He just looks so out of place.

“If you insist on going to work, I’ll drive you and pick you up when you finish,” he says in his no nonsense tone. I pull on my trusty unicorn slippers and finish getting ready.

---