Page 188 of Skate the Line

Ellie starts to stir.

A tear slips over Sunny’s cheek.

“I’m so sorry?—”

“Stop it,” I blurt.

Her lips clamp shut, and I weave my fingers through her hair, letting the small shard of glass fall to the floor. I grip the side of her face with enough force to get her to focus on me.

“I’m not angry with you,” I say. “How could I be angry with you for worrying about everyonebutyourself?”

Sunny bounces her watery eyes all over my face, but I’m pulled away when I hear Ellie.

“Daddy?”

“Printsessa.” I lean forward and press a kiss to her forehead and pull her into my arms. I make no move to stand, though. I refuse to give Sunny any more reason to think I don’t care about her too.

Ellie’s arms wrap around my neck, and I stare at Sunny.

“Here’s what’s going to happen.” I look deep into her eyes and silently ask her to let me take care of her like she’s been doing for us for the last few months. “I’m going to call Scottie, and she’s going to take Ellie home, and then you’re going to go get checked out.”

She opens her mouth, but I keep going.

“I’m going to get information about Marco, and then when you’re cleared, we’re going to go home.Together. Okay?”

Sunny slowly closes her lips, and those glassy eyes turn doe-like. She nods, and I pull out my phone to call Scottie with Ellie safely in my lap and one hand on her.

It may have taken something drastic to wake that thing up in my chest, but Sunny is about to realize that Ellie isn’t the only one I care about as of late.

Fifty-Five

SUNNY

I putmy hand on the passenger side handle, but Rhodes clears his throat from the driver’s seat.

“Rhodes, I can open my own door.” I laugh softly because if I laugh too hard, it’ll hurt. The soreness set in as soon as Rhodes showed up and acted all hero-like. It was like my body refused to feel anything until he was there, and Ellie was fully taken care of.

“I know you can,” he says. “Doesn’t mean you have to.”

Warmth spreads to my cheeks. I stay unmoving in the passenger seat while he climbs from the truck and rounds the front of it. When he gets to my side, he opens the door and leans inside so closely that his arm brushes the front of me.

He unbuckles my seatbelt, and I playfully roll my eyes. “Don’t even think about carrying me.”

He grumbles something under his breath but settles for my hand, helping me down to the sidewalk.

“It’s slippery,” he warns. “So hold onto me.”

“I really am fine, Rhodes,” I remind him. “It’s just a mild concussion and a few scrapes.”

Marco had the worst of it and is required to stay in the hospital overnight for observation. Two broken ribs, a concussion, and some stitches. He’s reassured us that he’s okay, but Rhodes is still planning on checking on him tomorrow.

“I don’t care.” Rhodes shuts the front door behind me, and to my surprise, he bends down and starts to unlace my shoes. “Just be quiet, and let me take care of you.”

The dip in my belly shuts me right up.

His hand on my calf is warm, and when my shoes are off and to the side, we’re greeted by Scottie.

“Oh my goodness, Sunny.” Her hand goes to her mouth. “Are you okay? What do you need?”

---