Page 51 of Skate the Line

“Mm-hmm…and…”

I chuckle. “The rainbow.”

Sunny smiles brightly and points at me. “Ding, ding, ding.”

I shake my head. “You do not have to paint your room in rainbow colors.”

Although...it’s sort of fitting.

“I told her she could pick. I’m not going back on my word now. It’s all about trust, remember?” She throws her hands up in defeat, and I keep myself from grinning by glancing at my phone.

I slice my attention to Kane, and he’s looking anywhere but my face.

“Did you tell the whole goddamn team to show up?” I hiss.

“Who, me?” Kane acts completely nonchalant. “Must have been Coop.”

“Oi, mate. Don’t throw me under the bus.”

I place my hands on the counter and drop my head.

Sunny clears her throat, and I glance up at her. “This really isn’t necessary. I could have just carried the boxes myself.”

Malaki, Cooper, and even Kane stare at her like she’s insane.

I don’t think she’s insane, but I do think she’s used to doing things on her own, or making due with whatever issue comes herway, just like staying in a house with a broken lock and creaky windows.

I stand upright, and everyone looks at me. “Since you’re all soeagerto help, go get the boxes out of my truck. You can put the furniture together too.”

“We’re manly men,” Malaki announces. “We’ve got this.”

They all shuffle toward the door, glancing at Sunny on their way out. I scowl when Kane winks at her before heading in their direction.

I do the same because the quicker this is done, the better.

“This really is too much.”

I stop right away and look back at her. She’s nibbling on her thumbnail. “The twin bed was fine,” she adds. “Or if anything, I would have helped you carry the boxes.”

“What kind of man would I be if I made you lift heavy boxes up two sets of stairs?” I ask.

She crosses her arms defensively.

“I could have done it.”

My lips twitch. “Oh, I have no doubt.” The more I get to know her, the more I can see that she’sMiss Independent.“But again, I’m a gentleman, Ms. Edwards—something you clearly are unfamiliar with.”

Angry lines appear around her pursed lips.

I turn and smile to myself as I head for my truck. My amusement disappears as soon as I catch my teammates staring at Sunny from the entryway.

“I’ll have Coach Jacobs make you guys skate suicides until you vomit,” I warn.

They scatter like marbles because they know I’m not kidding.

Nineteen

SUNNY

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