Page 72 of Skate the Line

Rhodes, who usually appears impassive, is completely blindsided from what just came out of Ruby's loud mouth, and to be honest,same.

“Now I sort of wish you would have fired me last night,” I whisper.

Rhodes blinks. The rustling of the bag in his hand catches my attention, but I quickly pull my eyes back to his.

I stand, and silence fills the room.

Both of us are unsure of what to do.

He takes a step farther into my room, and my stomach flips.

“That’s why you don’t date,” he states.

I shut my eyes and hide from his scrutinizing gaze. I’m mortified.

“Makes sense.” He’s closer now.

I peek an eye open, and nerves jumble me up. “What’s your excuse?” I ask.

Did I really just ask him that?

My hand flies to my mouth to hide my nervous laugh. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked that.”

His mouth twitches. “Who said I don’t date?”

I slowly lower my hand and cross my arms. My heart pounds so violently I feel it through my shirt. “Every article ever written about you.”

Rhodes throws a bag on my bed. I only give it my attention for a few seconds before watching him walk around my room. He runs his finger along my dresser, briefly touching the clay pieces I sculpted to calm my thoughts after last night. His head tilts, his brown messy locks falling to the side. My breath catches when he spins quickly and leans against the piece of furniture, crossing his arms against his chest to mimic me.

“What else do the articles say?” he asks.

Answering is going to make me sound like a stalker, but surely he understands why I looked into him before agreeing to an interview.

“Well…” I bite my lip before letting it go and filling him in. “They typically start off with your stats, how skilled you are on the ice, your speed, things like that.” I glance away from his intense stare. “They mention a daughter and how you are very private about your personal life.”

He nods slowly.

“Even before Ellie was born… How you never had a plus-one for events, basically indicating that you’re the most eligible bachelor in the league right now.”

Rhodes chuckles deeply. He drops his head and shakes it slowly. A string of Russian flies from his mouth quietly. I have no idea what he said, but the way he says it makes me want to learn the language as soon as possible.

“That’s a little contradicting, isn’t it?” he asks, lifting his head. I’m pinned in my spot with the way he’s scrutinizing me from across the room.

My forehead furrows with confusion.

“They mention I’m a private person but then go off and say that I’m an eligible bachelor? How does anyone know what I do with my free time? I could be going on dates weekly, and they’d never know.”

True.

Without being able to stop myself, I ask just that. “Well, do you?”

Rhodes’s mouth twitches. “Are you asking me if I date?”

I nod.

It’s not my business, but considering he has found out a lot about me in the last twenty-four hours, it seems warranted.

“I don’t.” His answer is firm and to the point.

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