Page 17 of Skate the Line

The crowd’s chants die out slightly as I round the corner toward the locker room. Nerves rage in my lower stomach with anticipation peeking over my shoulder.

Ellie’s panicked voice hits me right where it hurts. “Daddy?”

“Printsessa, what are you doing? I’m in the middle of a game.”

She sounds scared, and I’m not sure if it’s because she’s afraid I’m angry with her or because of something the new nanny did.

“Can I go to Scottie’s?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Scottie is here at the game. We’re several hours away. You should be in bed. Where is the nanny? Hand her the phone.”

“Um…”

“Ellie.” I sigh with agitation. I’m not frustrated with her. I’m frustrated with the situation. “Where is the nanny?”

“She locked me in my room.”

I think I pop a blood vessel.

My voice doesn't allude that I could strangle the new nanny—who Ithoughtwas a good pick—but on the inside, my heart is beating a million miles a second. “She…” I clear my throat and glance toward the game. “She locked you in your bedroom?”

“Mm-hmm.” Ellie sniffs. “I remembered how to call you from my tablet. I don’t have Scottie’s number, so I called you instead. I’m sorry, Daddy.”

Fucking Christ.

“Don’t worry, Printsessa.” I sound calm. “Just hang tight.”

After telling her that I love her, I shoot a quick text to Emory’s wife and have her call Ellie’s tablet so she can keep her calm while I try to fix things.

The game is seconds from being over.

Not only have I let my team down, but I’ve let Ellie down too.

Why is this so fucking hard?

My phone cracks in my tight grip as I pull up the number that I saved on a whim.

Alright, Sunny. You’re up.

Nine

SUNNY

I salute the tall,skyscraper buildings after I step out of the Uber. The driver looks at me funny, so I salute him too. It could be the fact that I’m decked out in The Art Institute gear from my quick trip into their campus store—a little parting gift—or maybe not.

The cool night air blasts my cheeks as I drag my suitcase behind me and head toward the airport doors. Chicago was a hopeful dream that unfortunately didn’t come true. It seems I was right in my reservations about Celeste and her tarot card reading.

I pull open my phone while standing in line to check my bag to text Ruby with the disappointing news. Except, a strange number is calling.

I hesitate, afraid that it could be the past catching up to me, but it could also be fate calling, so I answer it on a whim.

“Hello?” I move to the side and let a family of four go ahead in the line.

“Sunny.”

My palm covers my other ear so I can hear better. “Yes?”

“It’s Rhodes.”

---