Page 58 of The Rule Breaker
My stomach tightens the second I spot her. Goddamn, she looks like she’s been pulled straight out of my fucking fantasies. She’s wearing a flowy, white top that hangs just right, and jeans that fit her like they were made for her body. Fuck, her curls are back, bouncing with every step, looking soft as hell, and all I can think about is how I had my hands buried in them, pulling her closer, kissing her, tasting her, feeling her grind against me.
Isabella doesn’t even glance my way. Not a single look. It’s like I’m invisible, standing here like a ghost. And honestly? I fucking deserve it.
I’ve been avoiding her ever since that kiss. Keeping my distance, trying to pretend it never happened. For her sake, for Nathan’s, for my own damn sanity. I thought it’d be easier this way—acting like we didn’t just tear down every line we had between us. But I can’t forget it. It’s all I fucking think about.
I keep my eyes on Isabella, watching her walk past me like I don’t exist, and my stomach sinks.
“Didn’t think you’d be here,” Nathan says, lifting his chin toward her roommate. “Did you drag her out?”
Aurora scoffs. “Who else? If it wasn’t for me, she’d have stayed at home all night crying over a documentary.”
Isabella narrows her eyes. “The penguins were in love. It was sad, okay?”
I want to laugh, because it’s so like her to cry over penguins she’s never even met, but the tension in the air is thick, and I know better than to do that.
Austin swings his arm around my shoulder, shaking me slightly. “Same with this guy,” he says. “He wanted to stay at home tonight, but I dragged him out.”
Isabella’s eyes flick to mine. It’s brief—probably just a second—but in my mind, it feels like fucking hours. I suck in a breath as I stare at her, those big brown eyes pulling me in, making everything else around me blur into nothing. Her face—that gorgeous face I can’t stop thinking about—and those sweet, pink lips. God, I can still taste them.
I fucked up.
I messed around with my teammate’s little sister. First mistake.
Then I ignored her. Pretended like nothing happened. Second, and the biggest mistake of all.
I shift away from Austin, letting his arm drop. “I need a drink,” I mutter, turning toward the drink table. I don’t actually want a drink. I want to apologize to Isabella. I want to kiss her again, to feel the rush of her lips against mine without any of the consequences hanging over us. But I can’t.
So, drink it is.
“Hey, man.”
I turn my head at the sound of a tap on my shoulder. It’s Dylan, one of the football guys. Normally, hockey and football players don’t tend to get along, but we’ve never given a shit about that.
“That was a hell of a hit last week. You good?”
I let out a sigh, my jaw tightening at the reminder. Not that anyone’s let me forget it. “Yeah, I’m good,” I mutter, nodding at him. “You know me. I’ll get back up.”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “Yeah, tell that to Jordan. The idiot gets hit once and sits out the whole season.” He scoffs.
“Football guys are weak, man,” I tease with a smirk as he laughs.
“Alright, alright, Reed’s got claws.”
I shrug, taking a sip of my beer. “I’m a wolf for a reason.”
He laughs, and I take another sip, my eyes scanning the room. That’s when I notice a group of girls staring at him, biting their lips and whispering. I can’t blame them—the guy is tall as hell with broad shoulders, deep brown skin, and has the kind of face that belongs on a movie poster.
“Fuck,” he groans, dragging a hand over his jaw, fingers brushing his goatee. “Who the hell is that?”
I follow his gaze, my stomach sinking when I see Isabella by the couch with Aurora. My heart stutters.
“The blonde?” I ask, hoping he says yes.
“The brunette.”Fuck. “The one with curls and incredible rack.”
Of fucking course he’s interested in her.
“That’s Isabella, Nathan’s sister,” I reply, gritting my teeth.
