Page 18 of The Rule Breaker
I shove him away, laughing. “Get the fuck off me, you idiot.”
He chuckles. “I’m serious, though. Nathan will beat you into next week if you even think about touching his sister.”
Yeah. No shit.
I shrug again, keeping my face neutral. “You’re dreaming. Nothing’s going on.”
But then, like a dumbass, I glance back at her.
Just one last look.
Nathan’s got an arm wrapped around her, messing up her hair. She glares at him, shoving him off before fixing those brown curls, and I can’t help but smile.
Austin lets out a laugh, and I snap my gaze back to him. His grin has only gotten bigger, like he already knows exactly how this is gonna end.
“I tried to warn you.”
6
ISABELLA
I’m gonna die.
Okay, maybe notdie, but Aurora is definitely going to dislocate my shoulder if she keeps yanking me around like a ragdoll.
“Come on,” she wraps her arm around mine, tugging me along, “you need sunlight before you start hissing at it.”
I squint against the obnoxious brightness, raising a hand to shield my face. “I appreciate the concern, but I’m good.”
“Just looking out for you,” Aurora says, throwing me a pointed look. “When’s the last time you left our dorm for something other than class or hockey practice?”
I open my mouth to respond, but then I pause.
She smirks. “Exactly. You’ve been holed up in there for days.”
I sigh, already regretting letting her pull me out of the dorm. “Aurora, I really need?—”
She stops so suddenly I nearly crash into her. Placing her hands on her hips, she arches a brow. “You’re coming with me to get some fresh air, coffee, and stop thinking about hockey for five minutes, before your brain turns into ice shavings.”
I exhale, defeated. “Fine. One coffee. Then I really need to study.”
Aurora grins, looping her arm through mine. “Good girl.”
I scoff. “Do I look like a dog to you?”
She sniffs dramatically, then shoots me a grin. “You kinda smell like one.”
I laugh, shoving her lightly as we cross campus, and okay—maybe this isn’t the worst idea. The fresh air actually feelsnice, warm sunlight spilling across my skin, the scent of coffee floating through the air.
It’s been way too long since I’ve done anything but drown myself in school and hockey. Ever since the party last week, my routine has been nothing but classes, practice, and hiding in my dorm with my favorite sweatpants. The only time I see Aurora is when she’s half-asleep with a face mask on, watching horror movies in total darkness like a psychopath.
The second we step inside the café, Aurora takes a deep inhale. “God, I love this place,” she sighs, dreamily. “It’s the only thing keeping me from committing crimes.”
“You barely functionwithcaffeine,” I tease, heading for the counter.
“Rude.” She flips her sunglasses onto her head, flicking her blonde hair over her shoulder. “What’s the move? Stick to my usual or risk my taste buds and finally try a matcha?”
My face screws up. “Just get your usual. You’re not that adventurous.”
