Page 133 of Skate the Line

I calm myself and ignore my shaky fingers.

Me: For what?

For keeping thingsnormalbetween us after your fingers were buried between my legs the night before? No problem.

Rhodes: For reminding me to loosen up every once in a while. I haven’t laughed like that in a long time. It made Ellie happy.

I smile.

Me: Who knew it would take a snowball to the face to get you to smile.

He has a really nice smile too. If he smiled more often, I bet he’d have even more admirers.

I pause.

I’m sort of glad he doesn’t smile much, now that I think about it.

Rhodes: I’m pretty sure it wasn’t the snowball.

My heart stops.

Is he implying that it was me?

I place my phone down on my chest.

There’s no way he is, and if he were, shouldn’t that scare me?

Me: Shouldn’t you be sleeping? You have a game tomorrow.

There. Perfect. Change of subject.

Rhodes: I always have trouble sleeping the night before an away game. I don’t like to leave Ellie.

Rhodes is such a mystery. How can he seem so apathetic on the outside but be so tender for Ellie? He’s shown that side to me a few times too. It’s the subtle, barely there, sweet actions that draw you in and give some insight to who he truly is.

The demand for me to move in here rather than stay at the house with the broken lock. Reassuring me that his house is safe and making sure I had the option of locking my bedroom door. Showering me with flowers and taking me out for my birthday. They’re such small actions, but they carry such a heavy punch.

Me: I completely understand, given what you’ve gone through in the past when leaving her.

I hit send but text again.

Me: I know you don’t believe in promises, but I promise you that she’s safe with me.

It doesn’t take long for him to respond.

Rhodes: I believe in promises. I just don’t like to make them. And I know she’s safe with you. I’ve never felt more at ease leaving her with someone than I do now.

Pride swells. It looks like I’m breaking through and gaining some of his trust. The trust that was nonexistent when I first started.

Rhodes: Shouldn’t you be sleeping? You’re twenty-six now. According to you, that’s not far off from my old age of thirty-two.

I snort.

Me: You’re the only one who thinks thirty-two is old, Rhodes. But that’s fine. I’ll keep you young.

I smile to myself.

Me: You up for another snowball fight?

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