Page 26 of Rules We Break

She reaches down and grabs a bag, passing one to each of us.

I pull out a small rectangle, instantly identifying it as a book and smile when I peel the paper. It’s filled with pictures of us, and my eyes burn as I flip through page after page of us together.

She sniffs. “I wanted to give you all something so you know that even though Jax and I live a country away, you still have us with you.”

“And that’s why I got you these.” Jax cuts through the seriousness and tosses us all a small package. Lucas is the first to open his and his laughter has me tearing through mine.

Boxers. Specifically, underwear with Jax’s face on it.

Sidney sees what he gave us and snaps her attention his way. He raises both hands up. “Trouble. You said give them something to remember me by and I did.” He drops his face close to her ear and I can just make out his words that have her turning crimson. “You like it when my face is on you–”

“I’ll wear them all the time. Thank you, Jax.” I hold them up to get a good look at them, only to have them ripped away. River’s collected all three of our pairs and shoved them in a bag.

At the look of my disappointment, River strokes his thumb over my cheek. “Sorry, Love. But we don’t share.”

“Are you always going to be jealous and possessive?”

“Yes. Is that going to be a problem?” His voice is a purr and warmth builds low in my stomach.

“No.” My response is a little squeaky, earning me one of his dark grins.

“Okay…who’s next.” Lucas calls out and Alex grabs the bags we brought and passes them out.

Piper and Sidney unwrap theirs first. We got them rink bags filled with a seat warmer, a long, warm blanket and a charging pack for their phones. River made me one and it’s been a freaking godsend.

The guys picked out Lucas’s gift. Some kind of hockey thing they swore he’d like and he seems happy, but it’s Jax’s reaction that we’re waiting for.

The guys triple wrapped his, so everyone’s watching as he finally gets it open.

“You fuckers.” Jax huffs out a laugh, holding up a miniature replica of the Stanley cup.

“River and I figured it’s the only way you’ll ever get one, so we wanted it to be from us.”

The pillow Jax whips at Alex goes wide, and I brace for the impact that never comes. River caught it inches from my face and the glare he’s gives Jax has the over six-foot forward squirming in his seat.

“Sorry, Mia.” He gives me a signature Jax grins, with dimples and all.

“You’re lucky my best friend loves you.” I reply playfully.

His smile widens, and he looks all lovey. “I really fucking am.”

Piper stands, putting down her barely touched drink. “That leaves us. Wait until everyone has theirs. I want you all to unwrap them together.”

She and Lucas hand out the boxes, wrapped in gold. She’s watching Jax, who’s looking at her with his head tilted.

“On the count of three. One. Two. Three.” I swear any countdown is a competition with these guys and the second she said the last number it was a race to who could open theirs first.

The paper rips apart revealing a light blue t-shirt. My brows pinch together when I see what’s written on it.Auntie.

Alex and River both have ones that say uncle, but it’s Jax that I’m watching. He stands and goes to Piper. She pulls her onesie tight showing off a small baby bump. Jax’s eyes dart over her, seeing the truth.

“Pips? Are you pregnant?” There is something entirely too sweet about seeing these giant hockey guys turn into actual goo. He’s holding his hands out like he’s afraid to touch her.

“Yes.” Piper’s laugh is watery and she wraps her arms around the guy who’d been like a second big brother to her.

She pulls back, tears in her eyes. “We’re naming him, Marcus.”

SNEAK PEEK

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