Page 37 of Skate the Line

“Well…” There’s a shuffling on the other end of the phone. “Make sure you wear long johns if you get too cold at night. You know they trap the heat in.”

I roll my lips so I don’t laugh.Long johns.I wonder what she’d think if she knew that the ones she gave me were shoved underneath the creaky, old window at the Airbnb I’m residing in to keep the cold air from gusting in while I sleep.

“Yes, Nana,” I say to appease her. “Don’t worry. You’ve raised me well.”

“And how is the man?”

She’s referring to Rhodes.

“He’s…fine. We don’t really talk much. I’m only over at the house when he’s away, and so far, it’s just been a couple of games and long practices.”

Nana sighs. “Well, just be careful, sweetheart. I still don’t like the idea of you all the way in Chicago without any family near.”

Guilt churns in my stomach.

Nana doesn’t exactly know the whole reason I moved this far from Washington. After I told her that it’s because I’m making enough money to cover the rest of her nursing home costs there—which isn’t a lie—she began searching for a cheaper one. I had to guilt her into staying put, thus circling back to even more guilt for me.

My fingers twiddle with clay as I shape it into a small bead. I grab a skewer and push it through the middle, creating a little space for a string to go through after it dries.

Painting is my forte, but that doesn’t just apply to canvases. If I'm feeling antsy, I’ll make some type of trinket out of clay to occupy my hands and paint it whenever I find the time. I figure I’d make some beads for Ellie so maybe we can bond over making bracelets.

“I’mfine, Nana. It makes me feel better that you’re in the same nursing home as Gramps, so shush. I’m staying put. The money is too good, and the hours give me plenty of time to paint again.”

“Allison, that’s wonderful that you’re painting again.”

I don’t bother correcting her when she uses my full name. No one is around to question the slip.

My phone beeps, and I pull it away from my ear.Mr. Volkovaflashes on the screen, and my stomach dips.

“Hey, Nana, let me call you later. My boss is calling.”

“Okay, sweetheart. I love you.”

I hang up with my nana and switch the call over to Rhodes.

“Hello?”

“I need you to go to the school to get Ellie.”

If there wasn’t such an urgency to his voice, I’d probably mention how he didn’t even greet me, but after a week of working for him, I’ve learned that Rhodes isn’t the type of man who likes his buttons pressed.

That doesn’t stop me fromwantingto press his buttons, though. I just have enough self-control to ignore the impulse.

“Is she okay?” I quickly climb to my feet.

He grumbles a yes under his breath and follows it with a sarcastic chuckle.

I’ll pry later.

“I’m on my way.”

“Do you need me to send Marco?” he asks.

Echoing voices cut through the other end, and I know he’s at practice.

“No, it’s the fifth,” I state.

“So?”

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