Page 4 of Breaking Rules

The conversations, laughter, and music turn into white noise. All I want is to be far from here, to be home, curled up with a romance novel or watching my favorite anime or even out for a run.

Anything would be better than this.

CHAPTER2

A BEAUTIFUL MENACE

XANDER

July

Isabella turnsher head to look up at Miller. “Jake, maybe we can?—”

“Baby, not now.” He dismisses her and brings his gaze back to me.

In college, he always bragged about how beautiful his ex-girlfriend was. I figured he’d pay her more attention now that he has her back.

“Remember sophomore year, when Coach made the whole team run after he caught us drinking?”

I nod, my neck stiff. “It’s hard to forget. I thought I was going to puke my guts out on the field.”

“Some of the guys did. It was fucking gross.” Miller scrunches his nose and looks away, seemingly lost in his memories.

I clench my hand in my pocket and consider making a run for it. I’d rather talk to anyone else at this party.

Isabella is still standing between Miller and me, her back pressed to his chest. Her expression is blank as she stares off into the distance. She’d been silent for a solid ten minutes when she finally spoke, but when Miller didn’t even let her finish, her features turned vacant again. It makes me wonder if she’s even paying attention to what’s happening around her.

She’s even more stunning than I expected. In college, Miller always went on about how gorgeous she was, but words don’t really do her justice. Her body is flawless. Her little black dress fits her like a glove and emphasizes her round tits and toned legs. Her long brown hair cascades over her shoulders in soft waves. And her eyes? Dark blue, like sapphires, and framed by long black lashes. They’re gemstones that hide all kinds of secrets, like the deepest waters of the ocean.

He doesn’t deserve a girl like her.

I tighten my hold on my glass and shift my focus to the people around me as the smile I’ve been working to maintain slips off. I’m thrilled to be playing for my hometown team, to be close to my parents again. On top of that, it’s great for my career. The Warriors are one of the strongest teams in the league. Signing with them has opened doors for so many possibilities, for so many milestones and achievements I’ve yet to hit.

It’s all good, with the exception of the person standing in front of me.

Despite all the reasons I should’ve immediately jumped at the chance to sign with the Warriors, I hesitated, and Jake Miller is the reason why.

I’ve spent twenty minutes with him tonight, and I’m already on edge. If the asshole could shut up about our past, being around him might be bearable. But he’s been on it since the moment his girl joined us.

I need to collect myself before I do something stupid.

“Hey, man. Coach wanted me to find him,” I say, cutting Miller off midsentence.

“Sure. I’ll be over there”—he jabs his thumb over his shoulder—“if you want to come join us later. I’ll introduce you to the guys.”

With a nod, I wander off, mulling over his choice of words.I’ll be over there, notwe. It only reaffirms my impression: His girlfriend is nothing more than a prop to him.

I sneak a glance over my shoulder, to where Miller and Isabella settle in at a table. She has a faraway look on her face as she trails her finger around the rim of her glass. The other women at the table don’t pay her any attention, totally immersed in their own conversation. They even have their backs turned to her, keeping their distance in every sense. Jake is talking to a couple of our teammates, his hand draped over the back of Isabella’s chair, a reminder to everyone that she’s his.

Clenching my jaw, I move farther into the room, searching for Coach. Not because he wanted to talk to me, but because I needed a break from Miller.

“Hey, Coach,” I say as I step in front of Ezra Wilson. He played for the Warriors, a Hall-of-Famer tight end, and he’s the best coach the team has had in years. His leadership and the bonds he creates with his players are unmatched. “How have you been?”

A lopsided grin splits his lips. “Pretty good.” We shake hands, his grip strong and firm. “I just talked to our general manager. We have big plans for this season. You think you’re up for the challenge?”

“Always, sir.”

“Good to know.” Coach nods, his deep brown eyes crinkling at the corners. “I saw you talking to Miller. Feel good to be playing with a college buddy again?”

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