Page 31 of The Rule Breaker
Because the one girl Idohave an interest in is standing here, watching another girl press up on me.
I step back, gently peeling the girl’s hand off my arm. “Enjoy the party.” Before she can respond, I turn to Isabella, grabbing her hand instead, and pull her toward the back of the house, somewhere quieter, somewhere no one can get in the way. And she lets me.
Once we’re there, I blow out a breath, dragging a hand over my face. “Sorry about that.”
Isabella just laughs, her big brown eyes glinting. “It’s fine,” she says, her lips twitching into a smirk. “You’re clearly very loved.”
I shake my head, scoffing. “Yeah, well… it’s just because we won the game.”
She laughs, shaking her head. “I don’t believe that for a second. I think girls are like that around you no matter what.”
I press my lips together, exhaling through my nose. She’s not wrong.
I’ve always been popular, I guess. Even as a kid, I knew girls found me attractive. I had game. Still do.
She chuckles when I don’t answer, knowing she’s right. “Congrats on the game, by the way.”
My lips twitch into a smirk, and I drag my thumb over my bottom lip. “Did you watch it?”
She lets out a soft laugh that makes me want to hear it again.And again. “Of course I was watching. My dad’s the coach, and my brother’s the goalie.” She lifts a shoulder in a lazy shrug. “Kinda had to.”
I hum, shifting closer without even realizing it. Close enough to catch the faint scent of whatever shampoo she uses. Close enough that I probably should step back.
But I don’t.
“And maybe you were watching for me?” I tease, my voice dipping lower, testing the waters.
Because Ilikehaving her eyes on me.
She smirks, keeping her eyes locked on mine. “You wish,” she breathes, lightly shoving at my chest.
I let out a low laugh. “You can admit you watched the game for me. It’s not a crime.”
No, but it is a crime against bro code.
I’m playing a dangerous fucking game. Because IknowI shouldn’t be here, in the corner, alone with her. Talking. Smiling. Touching.Flirting. And yet, here I am.
Can’t help it.
She tugs her plump bottom lip between her teeth, and I swear to God, I almost lose my mind. “I might havemaybeglanced at you for a quick second during the game,” she says, rolling her eyes in a way that shouldn’t be sexy but absolutely is.
Makes me want to grab her and kiss her right-the-fuck-now.
Step the fuck away, Ryan.
“I like hearing that,” I admit, my voice a little quieter. Because I do. I like knowing she was out there, in the crowd, looking at me. Watching me play.
No one ever really does. Not like it matters. It’s just a college game, not the fucking Stanley Cup or anything.
She inhales softly, swirling the liquid in her cup before bringing it to her lips for a slow sip. “So… How was your date?”
Ice cold fucking water.
That’s what those words feel like. Dumped right over my head.
I don’t want to think about another girl.
And I definitely don’t want Isabella thinking about her, either.
