Page 11

CHAPTER TEN

SLIPPERY SLOPE

ELLE

Now

I groan when the phone rings and fumble around the covers for it. My eyes squint to read the screen. It’s my mother and it’s not even eight yet. I stayed up way too late last night, amped up from the wedding and…Rhodes.

I’ve missed dancing with him and we more than made up for it last night. We danced until the very end. And I was so wired from it that I wrote three thousand words of the hottest sex scene I’ve ever written before I went to bed.

The phone in my hand buzzes again. I sigh and answer it.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Oh, did I wake you up? Sorry.”

She doesn’t sound one bit sorry.

“It’s okay. I didn’t sleep much last night. I had that wedding…”

“Yes, I heard. That's why I'm calling. Bernard called us last night so upset. He had a lot to say about seeing you and Rhodes together, looking quite the couple. Sweetheart, how is this gonna work? You’re friends, leave it at that. We’ve all seen how Rhodes goes through one woman after the other, not even bothering to date them. How's that gonna look with your dad being the pastor and you dating this playboy who’s all over TV and social media with a different woman hanging on him all the time? Not to mention his ex being in the picture, the mother of his child . Levi is precious, you know how much I love that little boy, but he is not yours and neither is Rhodes. He’s not the man for you. You’re…”

“Mom, I’m gonna stop you right there,” I say, sitting up and waking up real fast.

She goes on like I haven’t said anything. “You’re thirty-one years old and dancing half-naked every week, and now you’re dating Rhodes Archer? What’s next? It’s a slippery slope and you are not heading down the right path. I’m worried about you. I know you’re not praying about this.”

If we’re talking about prayer, I think there are more important things to pray about than my dancing, or what I wear, or whether I date Rhodes, but that’s just me. If she only knew the slippery slope I’ve already careened down as Zoey Archer. I can’t even think about how my parents would react knowing I’m a romance author.

The cheerleading has been devastating enough for them.

“And you think Bernard is the right path?” My words sound brittle, but it’s still not as sassy as I want to be saying it.

“He’s in love with you and he has been for years. He’s at church every Sunday and has served on the church board for a long time now. We trust Bernard. Can you say the same about Rhodes?”

“I trust Rhodes with my life. And Mom…Bernard is not exactly Mr. Innocent.”

My mom scoffs into the phone. “Between the two men, I’d say their reputations speak for themselves.”

She has no idea. I’ve never badmouthed Bernard to my parents. They love him and he’s needed them in his life too, not having the best relationship with his parents. I haven’t wanted to deprive them from that relationship just because I don’t want to be with Bernard. But this just isn’t right.

I blink back tears, frustrated that Rhodes has never gotten a fair chance with them, while Bernard still manages to be a saint in their eyes.

“Anyway,” my mom sounds brisk again, “are you still coming over for dinner tonight?”

This is one of the few free nights I’ve had in a while, but I wish I hadn’t agreed to dinner now. I love them so much, but I don’t want a rerun of this conversation. And then I remember Amara and Troy.

“Oh, Mom, I’m so sorry. I totally spaced and told Amara I’d go over there and decorate with them. They’re not in town long. Can I have a rain check? I could do Thursday night, but then my schedule is gonna be crazy for a while. I miss you guys and need a quiet dinner at home soon.”

“Are you sure you’re not trying to get out of tonight because you don’t want to talk about Bernard anymore?”

“Well, yes, I would also like to table the Bernard discussion, but that’s not why I’m bailing tonight.”

“For now,” she says, laughing. “I’ve said my piece.”

If only she’d leave it at that, but we’ll be revisiting it later, no question. Louisa Benton doesn’t just drop a topic.

I can’t believe I’ve created this mess about Rhodes. I’ll tell my parents on Thursday that it’s fizzled out, and we’ll leave it at that.

I get up and clean my condo and then run to the grocery store. The day after tomorrow, I’ll be back to my crazy schedule with work and practice and writing, so the day off has been nice. When I get home from the store, I write for as long as I can until it’s time to go to Rhodes’ house.

My phone buzzes on my way to the car. I check it, expecting it to be Rhodes, but he’s been quiet all day. I did sort of fly out of his SUV when we pulled into his driveway last night. I didn’t trust myself not to do something insane like climb his body and never let go.

I really shouldn’t be going to his house. For all the reasons. And the cheer team is honestly at the bottom of that list at the moment.

Tru

Oh my God, why have I not read this book sooner?

Sadie

I know. I’m OBSESSED. I stayed up until three this morning finishing it and the ending is so satisfying.

Calista

Sigh. I read it in one sitting. I wish I could be experiencing Ryder and Eliza for the first time. The joy it brings me to know you are is just as good though!

Since I can’t stay quiet forever, I finally chime in.

Guess I better get on the bandwagon and read this book!

Calista

Girl, get after it! We need to discuss!

Tru

I’m dying for you to read it, Elle. You know who it reminds me of? You and Rhodes! Especially after seeing you guys on the dance floor last night, which was OH SO HOT. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but dancing is kind of their thing too, and it is steamy AF. Henley is loving that I’m reading all this steam and needing an outlet.

Sadie

It’s so crazy you said that because I’ve gotten Rhodes and Elle vibes reading this too! The way they’re each other’s ride or die like you guys are. Please tell me after last night, the two of you have fully made up again because it’s too traumatic when you’re upset with each other.

My face flames, and I pause outside my car door, fanning my face. Never in a million years did I think my friends would be reading my book. I thought I’d be lucky if ten strangers found it and enjoyed it, and now I’m having group chats with my best friends who see the similarities between me and Rhodes.

I am so screwed.

I think we’re getting there.

I decide to leave it at that.

Calista

Damn. I was hoping you’d tell us you spent the night together. The way the two of you dance is clearly a sign that you would be FIRE in the sheets.

Tru

Calista’s not wrong.

Sadie

I’m just glad she said it because we are ALL thinking it.

Not happening, you guys! We’re FRIENDS. And we’ve always danced together like that. It doesn’t mean we need to sleep together.

Calista

But what if you did? Sleep together, I mean. Don’t you think you’ll always wonder what it would be like with him?

There’s never been a time I haven’t wondered. Yes, I will always wonder! But the heartache I would feel if it didn’t work out…I can’t fathom it. We just can’t go there.

I keep all of that to myself, even though I’m dying to say all of it.

We decided in college that we would never cross that line. And when we crossed it even a little bit, it turned everything upside down.

Sadie

Did it REALLY turn everything upside down though?

These girls with their questions.

We fought for the first time! It’s been weird between us ever since.

Calista

But hasn’t that mostly been you trying to shut things down?

Damn Calista for knowing me so well.

Hopping in the car. Catch up later. XO

And then my dad calls. When I don’t answer, he leaves a message, and I listen to it on the way to Rhodes’ house.

“Hi, sweetheart.” Heavy sigh. “I’ve been with Bernard this afternoon and he’s crushed. And I have to say…I’m…confused about your decision to date Rhodes. You’ve been so adamant all these years that you’d never date Rhodes. Why now? I’m really concerned. And Bernard is too. Call me. I love you, sweetheart. I want to make sure you’ve given this a lot of thought. ”

My hands are shaking as I pause and chat with Rhodes’ guard, one that I don’t recognize. He waves me through after calling Rhodes, and I sit in my car for a second, trying to calm down.

I know my parents are controlling, but why did I imagine that one day I’d be considered old enough to know my own damn mind?