Page 108 of Rule Breaker

Turns out, I wasn’t prepared to fall in love with Kayden.

I’d gotten so used to holding everyone at arm’s length, and holding everything inside, that speaking sometimes was near painful. And unleashing my deepest feelings? Forget about it. But as I stared at Kayden, I knew that somehow, little by little, the words were going to come. I didn’t know when. I didn’t know how. But one day, I’d be ready. I could only hope Kayden would be patient enough to wait for me.

“What’s wrong?”

Kayden’s sleep-roughened voice rolled distracted me from my thoughts.

“Nothing,” I replied. “Go back to sleep.”

“No. Something’s bothering you. I can tell.”

“What are you, a mind reader?”

“No. I’m attuned to the many, many moods of my Maddox,” he chuckled.

I slid back down beside him and tucked my face into his neck, taking a deep inhale, my unsettled heart still beating erratically.

“Don’t give up on me, alright?” I whispered.

He hugged me tightly. I kissed his neck, then made my way up to his jaw, until he turned his head and our lips met.

“I didn’t. And, I won’t.”

CHAPTER 38

KAYDEN

GAME DAY

Iwas sweating a shit ton and the game had just started. I wasn’t called up first, and that didn’t help my nerves at all. Never content to sit still in the box, my knees were popping up and down, about to take flight. I was ready to launch myself over the boards the second Coach called a line change.

Dane, Ethan, and Colin were in position, along with Silas and Finn. And, of course, Maddox in goal. He looked calm. No, that wasn’t right. He was calm. When I woke up this morning, I’d been my usual game day self, too much energy, too many nerves. My adrenaline went from zero to a hundred miles an hour in the blink of an eye. Maddox, on the other hand, kissed me good morning and quietly went about getting himself ready. No words spoken after that. Not that I let that stop me from talking. But he didn’t mind my chatter. And I didn’t mind the fact he didn’t want to talk. I knew for sure that he was listening, his eyes following me no matter where I moved.

Until we got to the rink, where we parted ways. Maddox put his headphones on and headed for his stall, and I did the same,walking up to Dane and Jace for my usual pre-game convo. I’d texted them ahead of my arrival to let them know what happened with Axel and Coach. They were concerned about Axel causing issues, but I wasn’t. Between Coach’s support, my friends, and of course, my boyfriend’s, I was confident that nothing changed for us here on the ice.

And I needed that confidence today…

Coach tapped on my shoulder, and I focused on the now. “Remember what we talked about in practice. Keep a close eye on Joliet and Kourinko. They’re so fast you’re not going to see them coming until it’s too late.”

Langston College’s star forwards. And they were that. Fast as fuck, from the first puck drop, which we lost, to the moment the ref called the first time out. But Langston’s weakest link was their defense. Especially Delacourt and Whitman. Both guys were slow to react, and if we took advantage, it might tip the scales.

When I finally got my turn on the ice, the tension was so thick I’m chewing on it—even with my mouthguard. We’re closing in on the end of the first period and with no goals on either side, it’s still anyone’s game to take.

The face-off was ours, with Dane taking control of the puck before passing to Jace. Jace launched into the fray with impressive speed, and with a quick flick of his wrist, he shot the puck to Axel, who, in turn, took off with it like he’s powered by jet fuel. It didn’t matter how much I disliked Axel Lund as a person. As a hockey player, when he gets going, the guy’s a goddamn force to be reckoned with. And after our confrontation outside Coach’s office, I was starting to understand him. He didn’t want to win, he needed it. And, given that Axel played for Langston College last year, it appeared he also had something to prove.

Axel skillfully deke’d around Delacourt, doing what he does best—making it possible for the play to happen. He passed back to Jace, and Jace doesn’t hesitate to make his move, taking the shot. The puck zoomed past the goalie’s blocker, and when the buzzer sounded, me and everyone else in the crowd erupted. Jace raised his stick in the air, shock and awe on his face.

Suddenly, we’re up by one and anything’s possible. But not for long. There’s less than a minute on the clock and we’ve gotta make the most of it.

Coach was right about Langston’s forwards. Soon, they’re all over us. All over me. I get hit hard by Kourinko, slamming into the boards. Every bone in my body rattled while he skated away like nothing happened.

“Motherfucker,” I muttered to myself, trying to catch my breath.

Silas skated up to me, concern on his face. “You alright, Kay?”

I nodded. “Fine. I’m fine. Thanks.”

I’m tempted to make a fuss to the ref, but I know that’s asking for a penalty we don’t need. I shook off the hit—and my frustration—and got back into the fray.

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