Page 43 of Rule Breaker

“I’ve got more studying to do,” Maddox added and stalked off.

Without thinking, I grabbed my backpack, threw a twenty on the table, and got up.

“I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

Finn, Axel, and Ethan stared at me like I’d lost my mind. I probably had, following Maddox outside, instead of staying with them. It wasn’t like me to up and leave like that, but Maddox had a point. I didn’t like hearing rumours about players being cut either. And talking about it before a game was bad juju.

I hurried outside and found Maddox reaching into his bag again. Pulling out another cigarette.

“Not the night before a game,” I said to him. “You already had one. Your lung capacity will be fucked.”

“Says who?”

“Me.”

“And you’re a doctor?”

I chuckled. “Obviously not.”

Maddox ignored me, lighting up as we walked down the street.

“Plus, they pollute,” I added.

Maddox paused. Score one for me.

“I know,” he muttered, shaking his head. “Truth? I’ve been trying to quit. But sometimes, I need a crutch. One. And smoking is it.”

I nodded, and let it go.

“I need more calories,” I confessed. “That burger wasn’t enough.”

“Pizza?” Maddox offered and motioned to the end of the block. “There’s a place at the corner. Go grab a slice.”

“You want?”

“I’m good. I don’t have two stomachs like you.”

“Funny.”

“Given the size of you, it’s not funny. It’s true.”

“I am a big boy,” I quipped, holding my arms out.

“I’ve seen.”

I stopped short. Was Maddox talking about my dick or was that a general comment on my size? He coughed, threw the cig away, and started walking faster, nearly sprinting past me.

He meant in general, right? He wasn’t referring to my cock. That was just my horny brain playing tricks on me.

“Are you hungry for it?” I asked.

Maddox stumbled, but I couldn’t grab his arm in time. He managed to right himself all on his own and slowly turned around.

“What does that mean?”

I pointed to the pizza place. “Pizza? Are you hungry for it?”

Maddox cleared his throat and shook his head, then ran a hand through his hair, shoving the loose strands back from his face. “No. No, I’m fine.”

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