Page 24 of Skate the Line

My nana’s face flashes through my mind. “Sorry. My nana taught me that it was rude to walk into someone’s home with shoes on.” I roll my lips and shrug. “It’s a habit.”

And I beg to differ. His house isn’t dirty. It’s just a little messy. There’s a difference.

Without saying anything else, I follow Rhodes down the hallway lined with various frames of what I assume to be family members on the walls. The last photo catches my attention, and I’m pretty sure it’s Ellie’s mother. I quickly peel my eyes away and sit in the chair that he’s pulled out for me in the middle of his kitchen.

My nana woulddieto have a kitchen like this.

A large island sits in the middle, separating the table and rest of the space, and although the glossy counters are layered with various things like cereal boxes, assorted colors of crayons, andcoloring pages, it’s expansive, leaving plenty of room to knead dough or make homemade pasta.

Cooking is her passion, whereas creating is mine.

“Here is the contract.” Rhodes plops down in the seat across from me and slides a stapled packet of papers in my direction.

I read over it quickly, only glancing up at him every few seconds. It’s a dream job. The hours are great, and I can work on my paintings during my time off. The best part is where it’s listed that he prefers Ellie stay out of the limelight, meaning no on-camera outings and staying a distance away if he has an after-game interview.

It only takes me a few minutes to read over the rest of his stipulations and initial each one. When I flip to the second-to-last page, I choke on my spit.

A glass of water appears, and I gulp it down while rereading the salary.

“This is…” I peer at Rhodes, who remains standing beside me after placing the water in front of my face. “Too much...”

“What is?” He bounces his attention back and forth between me and the contract.

“The pay,” I blurt.

Rhodes flicks an eyebrow. “Well, considering the percentage that The Nanny Roster takes fromyourpay, I think it’s reasonable.”

I glance at the salary once more. My fingers tingle against the paper. This would easily pay for my nana’s nursing home fees—plus some.

Rhodes, who is still hovering over me like a looming shadow, is clearly waiting for me to say something.

“I don’t understand why you’ve had such a hard time keeping a nanny if this is what you’re offering them.”

Call me paranoid, but regardless of how attractive Rhodes is, I don’t understand how a nanny couldn’t abide by his rulesand stay employed.

“They didn’t want the pay,” he says matter-of-factly.

I watch him stride back to his chair and wait until he sits down to question him further.

“You’re telling me that they wantedyoumore than they wanted this?” I point at the amount of money to drive my point further.

I’m baffled.

A deep, sarcastic chuckle flows into the open space. Rhodes leans across the table, and my spine stiffens.

What if Ruby had it backward? What if it isn’t the nannies who are seducing him and jumping into his bed uninvited but the other way around?

Rhodes’s finger slips underneath the piece of paper, and he flips it to the last page. “If that weren’t the case…” His voice is low and intimidating. “I wouldn’t have to add this into the contract, now would I?”

I quickly scan the black ink and exhale.

In addition to the above contract, the Nanny (Sunny Edwards) agrees to remain professional and will not act in an unlawful manner toward the Parent (Rhodes Volkova). The Nanny (Sunny Edwards) understands and accepts the termination of this contract if the Parent sees fit.

Heat sweeps up my neck. I read it again, and I swear the room gets smaller.

When I finally flick my gaze to Rhodes, he appears cool, calm, and collected. His arms are crossed over his chest, but his face remains smooth and even.

A swallow works down my throat. “Does this go both ways?” I ask timidly.

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