Page 50 of Skate the Line

I slowly make myself known, though Sunny is unaware. Her back is to me, and I do a very good job at keeping my eyes to myself, even if she is wearing a shirt that I’m sure could fit Ellie. Sunny’s tanned skin peeks from below, and I’m certain it would catch the eye of a blind man.

I wait for her answer before walking farther into the kitchen—mainly because I’m also wondering.

Kane sees me and grins like a fucking maniac before putting his eyes back on her. “You off the market, babe?”

Babe?

She shakes her head, and again, I feel a weird sense of protectiveness come over me.

I step forward and save her the trouble. “I made her sign a contract that says she won’t fraternize with any of you womanizers.”

Malaki stands and throws his hands up. “Is that even legal?”

Sunny spins quickly and seems shocked to see me. Her cheeks turn a bright pink.

I catch her eye and shoot her a reassuring look.Don’t worry. I’ve got this.

Leaning against the table—that I can’t help but notice is clear of any of its usual clutter—I cross my arms and glance to my teammates. All of them. “What are you all doing here?”

There’s an obvious chill to my question.

Malaki smiles to himself and sits back down on a barstool. “I was invited.”

Oh, he thinks he’s off the hook?

“Yeah, but why aretheyhere?” I point to Kane and Cooper—two of the biggest man-sluts on the team.

“Someone spread the word that you needed help moving some furniture.”

I wiggle my jaw back and forth and stare at Kane. If it weren’t for Sunny being in the room and him being so good with my daughter, I’d probably punch him right in the jaw.

“I had it covered,” I say, coming around the countertop to grab a beer out of the fridge.

I’m going to need a drink so I don’t accidentally throw Kane and Cooper down the stairs later.

The popping of the tab draws Sunny’s attention to my hand. When she pulls her eyes back to mine, I’m half-tempted to ask her if she wants one.

“Ellie is looking at the paint swatches with Scottie and Emory.”

I tilt my head with confusion.

“For my room. I hope it’s okay that I had Marco take us to the hardware store to grab some paint swatches.” Her soft laugh is no more than a wispy breath. “She was pretty insistent we paint it.”

I gulp my beer when my phone dings with an alert telling me that someone is approaching the door. “I sure hope you didn’t let her pick the colors,” I joke.

Sunny rolls her lips together.

Oh, great.

“Let me guess…” Malaki taps his fingers against his chin. “She picked some shade of…pink?”

I grab my phone while still giving Sunny my attention.

“Yes…and…”

I raise my eyebrows.

“Purple?” he asks.

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