Page 81 of The Rule Breaker
I shrug, leaning back into the headboard. “I’m fine.”
She gives me a look. “Liar.”
I sigh. “Alright, maybe I’m a little sore. But I’ll survive.” I shift, adjusting against the headboard. “Talked to my brother about it.”
Her brows lift slightly. “Yeah?”
I nod. “I was just… so fucked up about what happened and—” I blow out a breath, fingers tightening around my phone. “I feel like I’m always trying to catch up with him, and the more I do, the more life throws me a fucking curveball and puts me ten places behind.”
She’s quiet for a second, then lets out a soft sigh. “Yeah. I know exactly what that feels like.”
Her gaze drops to her hands, her thumbs brushing over the hem of her sleeve.
“I love Nathan,” she says, lifting her eyes. “But sometimes… being his sister makes it harder to be taken seriously.” She swallows, fingers still tugging at the fabric. “I’ve worked my ass off to get here, but it doesn’t matter how hard I work. People look at my last name and assume I only made the cut because I have the right connections.”
I frown. “Has anyonesaidthat to you?”
She shakes her head, but there’s a tension in the way she chews on her bottom lip. “No, I just… feel it. The stares. The looks of confusion. It’s like I’m constantly trying to prove that I belong.”
I lean forward a little, my brows tugging together. “Youdobelong.”
She blinks, looking at me.
“I’ve seen you at practice, Bels. You’ve helped out the team a lot more than any of us have ever managed to do.” I shrug, my voice rougher than I expected. “Fuck what they think. They’re just pissed because you’re better than them and they can’t use their last name to justify being average.”
Her lips tug into a small smile. “You’re kind of hot when you go all motivational speech on me.”
I chuckle. “Baby, I’malwayshot,” I tease, watching her roll her eyes. But her smile fades a little, her gaze shifting.
She sighs, looking down at her hands. “I just wish people saw me. Not just Nathan’s little sister.”
Her words hit harder than I expect. I want to tell her that I see her. I see her all the fucking time, even when I close my eyes, she’s the only one I see. Whenever she’s around me, it’s like the whole damn world fades away, including her brother. I don’t think about Nathan when I see her. I don’t think about any of the noise. I only see her.
But the words get stuck in my throat. Instead, I sigh, the truth spilling out before I can stop it.
“Yeah. Same here.” I rake a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the tightness in my chest. “People already compare me to my brother every chance they get, and I just know it’s gonna get ten times worse when I join the NHL.” I scoff. “If I even make it, that is.”
Her eyes snap to mine, narrowing in disbelief. “Are you serious right now?” She shakes her head like I’m crazy. “Ryan, you’re amazing. I have zero doubt you’ll make it into the NHL. And no one’s gonna compare you to your brother.”
I let out a bitter scoff. “You dream big.”
Her face softens, and for a second, I’m frozen. Her eyes—those dark, beautiful eyes—are locking onto mine with an intensity that has me second-guessing every thought in my head. All I want is to reach through the screen and kiss her.
“I’m serious,” she says, her voice steady. It’s that certainty that hits me hardest. “You’re not just Connor Reed’s little brother. You’reyou. You’ll make your own name. You just have to believe that.”
“You really think that?” I ask her.
“Yeah, I do,” she replies with a nod. No hesitation. Just confidence. Like it’s the easiest thing in the world.
I can’t help the laugh that escapes me. “I could listen to you talk about me all day.”
She rolls her eyes, but the smirk that’s tugging at her lips tells a different story. “You’re such an idiot.”
I hum, stretching my arms over my head, grinning. “You weren’t calling me an idiot last night,” I tease, feeling way too smug about it.
Her cheeks go pink, and I can’t help but grin even wider. “I love talking to you,” I tell her, feeling my chest crack open at the sight of her.
She exhales softly, her smile lighting up the screen. It’s so goddamn pretty, I almost forget how to breathe. “Me too.”
