Page 103 of Skate the Line

“Thank you,” I whisper.

He says nothing, but the silence between us is anything but awkward.

I’m relaxed in his presence, which is sort of a big deal, even if he is unaware.

My eyes grow heavy, and I lean my head onto the couch pillow beside me with my fresh braid falling over my shoulder.

The buzzer sounds, and I’m brought back to reality.

Did I doze off?

I glance at Rhodes, and he’s watching the TV intently. My gaze falls to my curled legs beneath the blanket. His arm is resting on top of them.

Butterflies fill my stomach, which is ridiculous.

He must not realize he’s touching me.

I remain unmoving and place my attention on the TV so he doesn’t realize I’m gawking at him.

Two sports reporters are taking turns going back and forth about the game and the upcoming schedule.

My pulse quickens when they say Washington.

The hawk logo appears, and my blood pressure rises.

I zero in on the TV, knowing I should look away, but it’s like a car crash. I shouldn’t look, knowing the feeling it’ll give me if I see his face, yet I can’t move.

A knot forms in my throat. I drive my focus to Rhodes’s arm resting on my legs.

He makes me feel safe, and I’m not sure if that’s delusional or not, but out of desperation, I grab a hold of that feeling to keep me grounded.

Before there’s any more talk of Washington, the TV shuts off.

I turn to Rhodes, and he’s staring intently at me. Those vivid green eyes move over my face, like he’s trying to read me.

Good luck.

It’s a mess in here.

“I need you to know that I would never betray your trust like he did.”

My heart moves. “I know.”

His eyebrow rises. “You do?”

I slowly nod.

With a furrowed brow, he asks, “How?”

“I’ve learned to trust my gut,” I admit. “And my gut tells me that you’re safe.”

He visibly relaxes. His shoulders loosen, and his chest deflates. “Good,” he rasps.

He removes his arm from my legs to sit upright.

I do the same. The blanket falls from my legs, and I move to stand.

We both head toward the stairs, turning off lights as we go.

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