Page 164 of Skate the Line

Passing.

It’s a hard day. One that he’ll always dread.

Rhodes glances at me briefly. “I know. I arranged for flowers to be sent to the grave.”

He did?

“You look surprised.”

I smooth my face. “I’m not surprised.”

The look he sends me over his daughter’s head goes right in between my legs. His eyebrow hooks, and the flirty twinkle in his eye tells me he knows I’m lying, and that brings up a whole new set of thoughts.

“What kind of flowers did you send, Daddy?”

Ellie does her best to sit still as Rhodes attempts her braid. She winces a few times, and I quietly laugh. Eventually, I walk over and help.

I slip underneath Rhodes’s arms and am sandwiched between Ellie’s back and his front.

Instead of taking over completely, I place my hands on top of his to guide his fingers. His slow swallow hits the back of my head, but I pretend I don’t hear it and help him braid.

“Sunflowers,” he says.

A shiver rushes down my spine. He takes a step closer.

Sunflowers?

Because of me?

“Every other strand,” I say, moving Ellie’s hair in between our hands.

His presence is too much. He leans forward to get a better look. “Got it.” His breath hits the side of my face.

I turn my head slightly, and he’srightthere.

My eyes grow wide.

We can’t be near each other. Not until last night wears off.

I hastily pull my hands away, drop down like there’s a fire, and crawl out from beneath his strong arms.

My hair whizzes past my face when I pop back up.

Rhodes is grinning to himself.

I sort of want to throw my coffee mug at him because he’s certainly not helping the situation.

“Anyway,” I start with a stern voice. “I asked Scottie to pick Ellie and I up for the game since Marco needs the day.”To grieve.

Rhodes catches my eye.

“Is that okay?” I ask.

He nods slowly and puts his attention back on Ellie’s hair.

The braid isn’t bad. I’m proud of him.

“You could just take my truck,” he says, grabbing the bow from the counter and tying the end of the braid with it. Once he’s done, Ellie hops down and runs to the bathroom to check her braid in the mirror.

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