Page 21 of Rulebreaker (Gamebreakers #4)
TWENTY-ONE
Atlas
“And scuttlebutt has it that she and West went home together after the team’s charity event,” Banks says on a scowl, his beer hanging loose in his hand, his gaze on Aspen and Maisey, Frankie’s holding her, jealousy put aside for the moment.
Likely because we’ve already had our Connect Four tournament and sundaes for dessert and now the rest of the girls are gathered around her and Maisey, praising her for doing such a good job holding the baby.
All except for Lily.
Who’s currently in Chicago, performing her ass off, while we both try to merge calendars so we’ll have some sustained time together.
“Well, charity event or not, she didn’t come home on Wednesday. Frankie, Jade, and I had a sleepover,” Royal mutters, his expression in a tight scowl as he studies the girls.
Whether it’s because Jade looks a little pale and tired—and is still hoovering food like she’s eating for two (though neither of them have shared any news about another addition joining our family, likely because they don’t want to step on Banks and Aspen’s)—or whether Royal is scowling because that’s his default expression, I don’t know.
I do know that I really don’t fucking like the fact that while Royal, Jade, and Frankie were having a sleepover, Briar was having one too.
Likely of the adult variety.
Fucking hockey players.
And by the way Banks’s expression clouds, I know he’s thinking the same.
As is Dash, who looks ready to punch something–either that or tie Briar up so she can’t ever leave her house and have another adult sleepover again.
So, I need to be the voice of reason.
Because little sis or not, fucking hockey players or not, Briar is a grown woman and needs to have the freedom to find someone who loves her and build a life that isn’t just being a mom or sister or employee.
“You know that the background check on West came back clear,” I say.
Does it sound like I’m grinding my teeth together?
Yes.
One hundred percent.
But it’s also the truth.
“That doesn’t mean the man’s closet isn’t full of skeletons,” Royal grits out.
“Except,” Dash says, taking a long glug of his beer, “it kind of does–especially since mine all came back clear too.” He shakes his head. “West is clean as a whistle.”
“Aside from the two parking tickets.”
“Oh the humanity,” I hear and we all turn, see that Briar’s freed herself from the circle of women and is leaning back against the wall, holding a glass of wine, and smirking at us.
“Not two parking tickets,” she says with faux outrage before taking a sip of wine.
“Does he have a speeding ticket on his record too?”
“No,” Dash and I say in unison.
She lifts her hand, fingers twitching. “All right then. Lay it on me.”
“He went to traffic school,” I tell her begrudgingly.
Briar stills, expression surprised, and I brace, expecting to be on the receiving end of that barbed temper of hers that earned her the nickname, Thorny.
Instead, she shocks me by laughing, toasting me with her wine glass, and then turning to make her way back to the girls, tossing over her shoulder as she goes, “Carry on with the incredible detective work, boys.”
Dash, Banks, Royal, and I all glance at each other, raising our brows, and I know I’m not the only one who’s shocked.
“Two parking tickets?” Banks mutters.
“Traffic school?” Royal adds with a scowl.
“He’s a good guy.” Dash’s words are true but ground out.
I nod. “We can all still want to kill him though.”
Our gazes connect again, and we nod, perfectly in sync.
West may be that good guy.
But if he hurts Briar, he’ll be in for a world of pain.
“You’re sulking,” Briar says after everyone else has gone home and Frankie is asleep.
“I’m not,” I mutter as I rinse the last of the wine glasses and pass them over to her.
She sets them on the dish rack so they can dry then wipes her hands on a towel. “You so are. ”
“I’m not. ”
“You know that I’m the younger sister”—she leans back against the sink beside me—“which means I can do this I’m-not-you-are nonsense all day.”
“I’m not sulking,” I say, snagging the towel and wiping my own hands. “I just miss Lily. We’re both frustrated at the distance and want more.” I shrug at her expression–a mixture of shock and happiness–and get back to the point at hand. “I can still focus on other things, though.”
“Like background checking my boyfriend?” she asks archly.
I shrug. “Nah, that I delegated. I just read the report. But you looking happy?” I say before she can unleash the snark again. “I’m glad for that, kid. Truly. Even if he’s a hockey player.”
“Why do you all keep saying that? You were hockey players in college!” she protests, shoving my shoulder.
“Precisely,” I say, wrapping my arm around her neck and giving her a noogie that has her shoving me away. Or trying to. “Which means I know exactly who it is that you’re dating– ow!” I jump away from the fingers digging into my side and put some distance between us so she can’t pinch me again.
“I like West.”
I open my mouth to keep on teasing her, but there’s a flicker of something in her eyes that gives me pause. “Why do I feel like there’s a but coming,” I say quietly.
She jerks, that flicker growing before she looks away. “There’s no but.” A shrug.
“Except, he’s not Frankie’s dad.”
She jerks again and I know my instincts have won out again when she looks at me, mouth falling open. “Atlas,” she begins.
“I’m not pushing,” I say. “But I’ve also not missed that this is the first time you’ve been with someone since you had Frankie. That has to have brought up some big feelings for you.”
She wrinkles her nose and blows out a breath. “Why are you being logical?”
“That’s who I am.”
Her mouth quirks. “That’s not all you are–at least according to Lily.”
That feels good–I can’t lie. But I don’t let her distract me. “Do you want me to find him for you?” I ask quietly.
“I know where West lives, Atlas, but thanks,” she says dryly.
I tug at her ponytail. “You know who I mean, Thorny.”
Her face goes blank and she looks away again. But doesn’t reply.
And when the silence reaches a breaking point. “It wouldn’t be hard, Bri. I promise. I could?—”
She turns to face me. “I know you could find him.”
I open my mouth.
But I don’t get my reply out.
Because her next words are a mix of pain…
And truth.
“But it wouldn’t change anything if you found him,” she whispers. “Because he left us.”