Page 6 of Rulebreaker (Gamebreakers #4)

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Lily

Flying back to Los Angeles from Albuquerque isn’t a long flight but it’s in the opposite direction I need to go.

Aspen’s baby shower is important, though, and I’m excited that I’m able to be here.

Briar and Willow planned it around my schedule so it would have been shitty for me to say I’m tired and jet-lagged and just don’t want to get back on another plane.

Now that I’m here, I’m glad I forced myself to come because there’s an excitement in the air that’s contagious. The girls are laughing and giggling when I arrive, waving me over with bright smiles.

“I’m so glad you made it!” Briar says.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” I reply warmly, hugging everyone.

“The guys are carrying in the last of the decorations,” Briar says, just as Atlas appears.

“Briar, where do you want–” He’s carrying what looks like an arch of some kind and promptly bangs into the wall.

I bite my lip as Jade covers a giggle .

“I’ve got it.” Briar sweeps in and takes it from him, moving it outside to a covered patio.

“Oh, this is beautiful,” I say, looking around. The pool area is expansive but there’s a small gazebo at the back of the yard and a section of the patio off to the side where Royal and Dash are setting up chairs.

“We’re setting up the arch there–” Briar points.

“The buffet table is over there,” Willow points in the opposite direction.

“And the gift table will be next to the arch.” Jade grins.

“What can I do to help?” I ask.

“We’re going to finish making the punch and pop some appetizers in the oven,” Briar says. “So let’s go into the kitchen and dole out the duties. The guys are going to–” She cuts off as Atlas comes around the corner carrying a box and promptly bumps into Royal.

“Dude.” Royal grumbles something, Atlas mutters something back, and they disappear around the corner.

“What’s up with him?” Jade asks, wrinkling her nose.

I snort. “He banged my brains out the other day and apparently can’t muster up the manners to come say hello.”

There’s a moment of shocked silence and then squeals of delight.

“You and Atlas got horizontal?” Jade demands once we’re in the kitchen and out of earshot. “Woo-hoo, that’s my favorite thing ever!”

“On his jet?” Briar asks, eyes sparkling with delight.

“Oh yeah.” I grin, leaning against the center island in the kitchen as Briar starts putting mini quiches on a baking tray.

“And?” Willow asks, making a hurry up motion with her hands. “How was it?”

“I did say he banged my brains out, did I not?” I wiggle my eyebrows .

“Be still my heart.” Jade fans herself. “Was it smokin’? Is he as intense between the sheets as he is everywhere else?”

“You have no idea.” I grin. “Super intense. Like, probably the most intense I’ve ever had.”

“I knew it!” Briar laughs. “He’s been off-kilter ever since. Now I know why.”

“How did you leave things?” Jade asks.

I grimace. “Well, I thanked him for the ride and kind of…took off.”

This time the silence is less excitement, more confusion.

“Why would you do that?” Briar asks.

“Because…I had to go.” I turn and dump a two-liter bottle of ginger ale into the punch bowl.

“Lily.” Jade knows me better than Briar or Willow and she comes around the island, forcing me to look at her. “Don’t bullshit a bullshitter. Did you leave without saying goodbye?”

“No. I said goodbye. I just didn’t wait around for the inevitable awkwardness where he’s expected to ask to see me again or for my phone number or whatever. I didn’t want things to be weird…so I left before any of that could happen.” Which, of course, made things weird.

Briar groans and Jade shakes her head.

“At least we know Atlas is just lovestruck,” Briar says, “and not having a stroke or something.”

“Bite your tongue!” I laugh.

“You have to unlock that armor around your heart at some point,” Jade says gently. “No matter what you say, you can’t want to be alone forever.”

“Of course not. But this isn’t the time.

I’m in the middle of a world tour. I’m in a different city every other day.

You know how focused I have to be–and how exhausting it all is.

” She’s done plenty of touring of her own.

“The last thing I need is some closed-off, bossy alpha man adding stress to my life. No matter how good the sex is.”

“But Atlas is a spectacular human being beneath the gruff exterior,” Briar protests softly.

I absently stir the concoction in the punch bowl.

“I’m sure he is. I just don’t think the time is right. Besides, he could have stopped me and he didn’t, so I think I made the right decision. For both of us.”

There’s no time to discuss anything else because a delivery arrives with what looks like a million pink and blue balloons.

Briar instructs the guys how to attach them to the arch and we put out a plethora of baby-themed paper plates, napkins and silverware, all in shades of turquoise, sage, and rose gold.

“We have twenty minutes before people are going to start arriving,” Briar calls out. “I need you boys to finish with the balloons and someone needs to keep watch for when Banks and Aspen arrive.”

“I’ll do it.” Atlas meets my gaze and gives me a brief nod. “Hello, Lily. Nice to, uh, nice to… uh, nice seeing you.” He doesn’t wait for a reply and I watch him go with an amused grin.

“You must’ve done a number on him,” Jade whispers.

“Believe me–he did a number on me too,” I whisper back.

We dissolve into laughter.

“Hey, no smutty talk without us!” Briar yells, following us out to the patio.

“What do you know about smut?” Dash asks, arching a brow. “At the rate you’re going, you’re a spinster in the making.”

“Oh, you hush.” Willow playfully shushes him.

“Fuck all the way off,” Briar calls out, lifting her middle finger in response.

“What?” he asks. “As far as I know, you haven’t had a boyfriend since Frankie was born, you spend all your time with your brother, his friends, or your kid, and you don’t date—I’m pretty sure that’s the definition of a spinster.”

“I am in no way, shape, or form beyond the prime age for marriage,” Briar replies. “I’m only twenty-six. I think I have at least a few more years left before you guys need to put me out to pasture.”

“She’s younger than I am,” Willow stage whispers to Dash.

“But you’ve had boyfriends,” he says. “All she does is work.”

“Her boss is a ball buster too,” Jade says with a laugh.

“For your information,” Briar says, hands on her hips and a strange look on her face. “I have a date… this coming Thursday.”

Everyone pauses, and Dash’s eyebrows nearly hit his hairline.

“You do?” Dash looks like he can’t quite wrap his head around that information.

“With who?” Jade asks in confusion.

“With West.”

“ West ?!” Dash’s mouth falls open. “West McGregor?”

“West from the Vipers?” Royal asks at the same time.

“Banks’ teammate West?” Willow’s face breaks into a huge smile. “That’s awesome! He’s hot!”

“Hey!” Dash gives her a dirty look.

“You’re hotter, honey,” she soothes, moving into his arms. “But he’s a cutie!”

“You’re shittin’ me,” Royal says, staring at Briar like he’s seeing her for the first time.

I don’t understand why everyone is so shocked. Briar is gorgeous and smart and would be a great catch for any guy lucky enough to get her attention.

“Why is this such a big deal?” I ask after a moment. “She’s intelligent, beautiful, and successful. Why wouldn’t a cute hockey player ask her out?”

“Asking her out isn’t the issue,” Jade says. “It’s the fact that she said yes. For as long as I’ve known her, she doesn’t date.”

“You don’t date?” I ask her curiously. “How come?”

Briar rolls her eyes. “Everyone thinks they know my business. No, I don’t date a lot because I’m fucking busy!

I’m a single mom to a four-year-old, and I have an extremely demanding job that requires a ton of time and travel.

When I’m home, I’m with my daughter or the family. When do I have time to date?”

“Apparently on Thursday,” Jade quips.

“Exactly.”

“When did this happen?” Dash demands, a scowl on his face. “I mean, how long has this been going on?”

“Don’t do that.” Briar points at him. “Seriously. I am not a child. Don’t treat me like one. We’ve known each other for a while but he was dating someone. They broke up a while back and he reached out. We’re just going to dinner, okay? We’re not flying to Vegas to elope.”

“But you better call me if you do.” Jade nudges her. “Because I need to be there to stand up for you!”

“Don’t encourage her,” Dash groans.

Briar just laughs. “You guys need to mind your own business. And for the record, Lily– this is the other reason I don’t date. These boys will give any guy I go out with the third degree.”

“Not true,” Dash protests. “To my knowledge, you’ve never gone out on a date.”

Briar smiles. “And that’s all the knowledge about my dating life you need.”