Page 14 of Rule Breaker

“You’re staring,” Maddox grumbled.

How the fuck did he know that?

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

We sounded like were nine instead of nineteen. Instead of lying there feeling embarrassed, I got up and headed for the bathroom. After taking a much-needed piss, I washed my hands, brushed my teeth, and slathered on antiperspirant. Twice. Hey, it was game day, and I was already sweating a shit ton.

By the time I walked back out into the bedroom, Maddox was up, dressed, with the headphones on again.

“You’re giving me a complex,” I muttered.

He pivoted suddenly, stalked past me, and slammed the bathroom door.

“Okay, you’re not a morning person either,” I said out loud to myself. “Got it.”

I texted Dane. He and most of the guys were already down in the restaurant, having breakfast. My stomach was pitching a fit, growling louder than my roommate. But I wasn’t a total dick like Maddox. I got dressed and waited for him.

“Seriously? You’re still here?” Maddox snapped when he emerged from the bathroom five minutes later. “Go down to breakfast already.”

The guy’s attitude was as pissy as ever. Man, he was uptight. Or, just tight. Like the ripped jeans and the long-sleeved Henley he was wearing. I’d thrown on baggy jeans and an extra-extra-extra-large T-shirt that had seen better days. Okay, so I was kind of a slob in the morning. What college student wasn’t? Oh yeah, Mr. Model over here, with his trendy earring and slicked-back hair.

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my room card and headed for the door. Until my phone beeped.

Shit, my medication. I turned around and grabbed my backpack, searching for my pill container.

Maddox walked past me and left the room. Nice.

I pulled out my water bottle, chugged my med, and was out the door not thirty seconds after him.

“Can you at least hold the elevator for me?” I shouted after him.

Maddox was halfway down the hallway and stopped short. But he didn’t turn around. He paused, shook his head, and then kept walking, until he reached the elevators. Since my legs were so long, I had no problem catching up to him.

“Can’t we just be normal teammates?” I asked. “We don’t need to be friends, but we are sharing a room. The least you could do is?—”

“I don’thaveto do anything,” he snarked and rolled his eyes. “And I’m not normal. Or haven’t you figured that out by now?”

He slammed the elevator button and then crossed his arms. Jesus Christ, dealing with Maddox was like trying to calm an angry toddler. Time out.

The elevator doors opened, and I let Maddox go in first. I followed, standing beside him, silent.

Don’t say anything. Don’t say anything. Don’t say…

I couldn’t help it. I wasn’t one for the silent treatment and not talking was just plain weird for me.

“Did you study the videos of Rochester’s last season?” I asked.

No response.

“Or maybe Coach didn’t send you the link?” I continued. “No, wait. We reviewed one of them after last week’s practice, so of course you saw them. Maybe we can re-watch them together? I’d like to hear a goalie’s perspective on their strengths and weaknesses.”

No reply again. A total shutout. Damn.

The ride was thankfully short, and we exited on the main floor, following the signs to the restaurant. When I spotted the team sitting at the back of room, I nearly ran over to them inrelief. Dane and Jace waved at me and pointed to an empty seat. I was so fucking grateful there were people who actually wanted me around.

Maddox stalked away and sat down near Silas. For sure, those two should have roomed together.

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