Page 104 of Skate the Line

Before I start up the stairs, Rhodes’s hand grips mine gently. I turn, and he’s peering down at me. The moonlight from the window shines on the side of his face, encasing the firm look in his eye. “I would love nothing more than for Ellie to grow closer with you.”

I blink through the surprise of sincerity in his voice. It's the simplest statement, yet it carries such a punch.

“She needs someone like you,” he adds. “She needs more than justme.”

How can he think that?

Placing my palm on top of his hand, I shake my head. “You’re wrong, Rhodes.”

Shadows dig into the confused lines carved into his face.

“She doesn't need more than just you.” I smile softly. “Give yourself some more credit, Oscar.”

I wink at him and drop my hand.

There’s a twitch of his lips that I think about the entire way to my room.

For the first time since moving into his house, I go to sleep with my door cracked instead of closed.

Which ishuge.

Thirty-Four

RHODES

If another balloonsmacks me in the head…

Ellie’s giggles are out of control, and I’m silently cursing her for talking me into this many balloons.

We’re hopeful to get home before Sunny does. I gave her the day off since I don’t have a game tonight, but what she doesn’t know is that she’ll still be busy. Thanks to Scottie and the other wives, Sunny has birthday plans.

In a painfully desperate attempt to tag along, I came up with my own plan. My little white lie from the other night has been on a loop inside my head, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to make it ring true.

“I wasn’t implying that we sleep together last night when I said I could help you with your… problem. I was referring to giving you time off for dates.”

What a load of bullshit.

However, going out for her birthday is the perfect opportunity for her to meet some guy, which will hopefully deter me and my inappropriate thoughts, and I can keep an eye on her to make sure no one pushes the limits without her approval.

It’s crossing a line, but barely, and aren’t lines drawn to be crossed?

According to Malaki, they are, and for once, I’m choosing to believe his thought process.

Another balloon sneaks up to the front of the truck. I smack it away and glance into the rearview mirror.

“This is excessive,” I mutter.

All I can see is Ellie's toothy smile and rosy cheeks.

I park the truck outside of the house and round the side to open Ellie’s door. A balloon slips out, but I catch the rest before they disappear into the sky. “Daddy! Be careful!”

I huff. “Aren’t I the one supposed to be telling you to be careful?”

She hops down with the bouquet of sunflowers in her hand. Imayhave grabbed them from the store before picking her up at school, but if Sunny asks, Ellie was the one to pick them out.

In fact, this entire thing was Ellie’s idea, if anyone asks.

Marco pulls up with Sunny, and we hurry through the door. I slam it shut, and Ellie squeals, like she’s being caught doing something she shouldn’t. A few petals and leaves fall from the bouquet, leaving a trail behind her as she runs into the kitchen.

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