Page 220 of Skate the Line

“He seems nice,” I say, desperate for anything but the attention to be on me.

She rolls her lips. “But would he fight for me on national television?”

I shoot her a look, and she snorts. “I’m sorry. It isn’t funny, but I’m sort of afraid you’re going to have a panic attack, so I thought I'd try to lighten the mood.”

My bottom lip wobbles. I place my head on my knees and grab onto my legs tighter. “I thought leaving would fix things.”

The plan was to leave things on a good note, which didnothappen. My fight-or-flight kicked in. I felt safe,finally, after almost an entire year of bouncing around and hiding. Rhodes and Ellie became my home, and there was no way I was going to jeopardize that because of Nicholas.

I won’t let him ruin anything else. Not another home. Notmyhome.

I knew if I told Rhodes who Nicholas really was that it would end badly.

But not telling him did the same.

How did he find out?

Was that what the fight was over?

Me?

What if he ruins his career over this? Fights in hockey aren't unusual, but an entire team attacking a hockey coach, in the middle of a game, on the ice? I think that’s unheard of.

And Ellie. Was she there? I hope not.

I hope Atlas wasn’t watching either.

Last I knew, they had no contact, but things can change.

“I think you should call him.” Ruby slides down the back of the couch to sit beside me.

I peek at her, and she’s holding an entire bottle of wine. I eye it, and she gingerly holds it out for me.

I grab the neck and bring it to my lips. “And say what?”

“Explain why you left without giving him a real explanation. If he’s beating the shit out of Tarvo, he probably already knows.”

I gulp the dry wine down and crinkle my face at the taste. “I highly doubt he wants to talk to me. You didn’t see his face that night.”

An ache digs deeper into my chest each time I picture it.

He was so hurt and confused.

Then he turned angry and bitter.

Regardless of my good intentions and attempt at making the right decision, I still broke my promise to him and Ellie. Ileft.

“Then maybe you tell him that you left because you love him and Ellie. Not because you don’t.”

I pause and stare at my best friend. She raises an eyebrow, like she’s daring me to argue.

“Don’t try to deny it.” She takes the wine from my hand and swallows another gulp. “You put them first, even if they don’t see it like that. That’s something someone only does when they’re in love.”

I hate it when she makes sense.

“We weren’t practical,” I argue. “We were never meant to be anything serious. Rhodes has always been up front with me. He wanted a nanny that didn’t have other intentions.”

“And he got you.” Ruby grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze. “Someone whodidn’thave other intentions. That’s why it works.”

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