Page 2 of The Rule Breaker
Grabbing my towel, I head for the showers without another word. I’ve got enough on my plate without adding Austin’s bullshit to the mix.
The water hits my skin, hot and scalding, but it doesn’t do much to clear my head. The game, the guys, the constant pressure surrounding me every single day… it’s all closing in, and no amount of hot water is going to wash that away. I lean my forehead against the cold tile, letting out a long, slow breath.
I miss the way things used to be. Freshman year, hockey was fun. School was manageable. Back then, I could do it all—games, parties, school. Now it’s like I’m on autopilot, stuck in some never-ending loop of practices, drills, and trying to stay ahead.
I finish up quickly, shutting off the water before wrapping my towel around my waist. When I step back into the locker room, Austin spots me, his grin widening. “Party tonight,” he says, tossing a balled-up towel in my direction. “You in?”
I catch the towel and toss it back, shaking my head. “I’ve got stuff to do.”
“Stuff like watching game footage?” Austin asks, arching a brow. “You can’t be serious, man. It’s Friday night. Loosen up a little. Maybe touch some grass or, I don’t know… an actual human being.”
“I’ll think about it,” I say, but the words feel hollow even as they leave my mouth. I know I won’t go. I’ll spend the night at my desk, buried in notes and clips from tonight’s practice, trying to figure out what went wrong. That’s what I do. That’s who I am now.
“Ah, fuck,” Nathan mutters, yanking off his jersey with a frustrated sigh.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, glancing at him as he lingers by his locker.
He rubs his forehead, groaning. “Forgot my sister started school today. She’s on her way to campus right now. I should go help her out, make sure she doesn’t get lost or end up in some weird frat house.”
Austin perks up immediately, his eyebrows practically launching off his face. “Another Hayes on campus? Damn, is she cute?”
Nathan spins on him so fast that Austin flinches. “Doesn’t matter,” Nathan growls. “She’s off-limits,” he warns, his eyes scanning the room. “If any of you fuckers eventhinkabout touching my baby sister, then you’ll have me to deal with. I’m serious. Hands off. All of you.”
I smirk, not fazed by his warning—monk routine and all that. I’m not hooking up withanygirls, let alone Nathan’s sister. He’d break my legs before I could even say hello. Besides, I’ve known Nathan since freshman year. He’s become like a brother to me, and the last thing I’d ever do is cross that line.
“What if she thinks about touching me?” Austin asks with a shameless wink.
Nathan’s eyes narrow, and I swear I can hear his jaw clench from across the room. “You want me to kick your ass in front of the whole team?”
Austin winces, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Nah, I’m good. My ass is sore enough as it is.”
“The hell?” Cole asks, leaning against his locker with a raised brow, gum still rolling between his teeth. “What the fuck have you been doing?”
Austin chuckles. “Some girl thought spanking me would be fun.”
The room pauses for a beat with every head turning his way.
“And?” I ask, a little too intrigued to hide it. Sue me—it’s been months since I’ve felt a girl’s handanywherenear my ass.
“Kinda was,” he admits with a shrug. “But it hurt like a bitch the next morning.”
The room breaks out into laughter and I breathe out a laugh, shaking my head. Jesus. Austin is out there getting spanked, and the closest thing I have to a date, is my right hand.
Hockey’s my life, no doubt, but damn, I miss the other stuff. I miss sex. I miss kissing a pretty girl. Hell, I even miss watching these idiots get hammered.
“You seriously not coming out tonight?” Austin asks, elbowing me. “I need a wingman.”
I scoff, shaking my head. “Yeah, you’re good, man. You don’t need one.”
Austin could walk into a room, flash that cocky grin, and walk out with half the room’s phone numbers before finishing his first drink.
“Come on,” he groans, dragging the word out. “One night, Cap. We win tomorrow regardless. You’re wound tighter than a drum. I’m seriously worried for you.”
I laugh despite myself, but damn if he isn’t right. My shoulders are practically locked in a permanent knot from all the tension I carry. I’ve buried myself in schoolwork and hockey for so long that I’ve forgotten how to have fun.
And fuck, do I miss it.
I let out a long breath. Maybe, just for tonight, I could let all the responsibility shit slide. “Fuck it,” I mutter under my breath with a shake of my head. “I’m in.”
