Page 77 of Rule Breaker

“Reality calls,” I reminded him.

“Reality bites,” he whispered and smiled against my lips.

“Sounds like me,” I quipped.

“That’s what I thought at first, but no,” Kayden looked at me, his expression serious. “You’re all bark and no bite.”

“A pretty fierce bark.”

“Eh, I’m getting used to it.”

Kayden

By the time Mad and I showered, changed, and ate breakfast, it was time to head for the bus.

And when we arrived at the rink, I was pumped up. Feeling better than I had in a long time.

See? I could handle whatever this was with me and Mad. Sex. Really hot, intense sex that led to amazing orgasms that cleared my head and gave me that much-needed oomph. I chatted up all the guys, high-fiving them, offering words of encouragement, getting them amped up for the game. Maddox kept himself tohimself. Which was fine. I knew there was no interfering with his pre-game ritual.

Dane skated up to me as we finished our warm-up.

“You’re in an extra good mood,” he whispered. “Don’t tell me you and Mad?—”

I tried to hold back my smile, but I couldn't.

“Your face, Kay. Everyone will know or suspect you got laid and the questions will start.”

Shit, I didn't think about that.

“I can't help it. Why didn't anyone ever tell me that having an orgasm before a game was the best thing ever? I feel like I could play hockey in the freaking Olympics right now and win gold.”

“Oh my God. Is Maddox aware of what he's unleashed?” Dane teased.

I glanced at the net and Maddox glared back at me, shaking his head.

“I think so.”

“Oh no,” Dane muttered.

“What?”

“That look on your face. I fucking know that look, Kay. You like him. More than like?”

“Well, I did ask you how you knew about Jackson. It shouldn’t be that much of a shock.”

“Yeah, but Maddox? I mean, he’s hot, but volatile as fuck. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

“He may be all that, but he has his reasons. He’s so much more than that. And yes, despite my shitty grades, I’m not totally stupid. I can handle this.”

“I never said you were that. Never.” Dane looked at me, hurt in his eyes.

“I’m sorry. I know you didn’t mean it that way,” I replied quickly. “It’s gonna be fine. I’m sure this feeling is just temporary. It’ll burn itself out and then we’ll move on. That’swhat happens, right? It’s fun for a while and then it’s done. Nothing lasts forever.”

Well, maybe for some people. Like Dane and Jackson. They were in love. Okay, maybe I liked Maddox more than a hook up. And yes, whenever I was with him, I was free-falling into something I knew nothing about but wanted anyway. And I was a committed player. Once the game got going, I was all in. It was the same way with Maddox.

“Remember what I said. It can’t interfere with the game,” Dane added.

I nodded, positive in my decision.

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