Page 12 of The Rule Breaker (Colton U Playbook #1)
ISABELLA
I should be used to this by now.
The sea of guys in my class doesn’t faze me anymore, but I still feel the pressure.
Being the only woman in a room full of sports management majors is like wearing a neon sign that says Out of Place , even though I know my stuff.
I can name more hockey teams than half these guys can name cities.
Last season’s stats? I could rattle those off in my sleep.
My mom always thought I’d be a figure skater.
After all, I spent more time on the ice than most kids did on their bikes.
But instead of gliding gracefully, I spent most of my time knocking my brother over at every chance.
Of course, that only lasted until he got bigger than me, and then I spent way more time picking myself up off the ice than I care to admit.
Dad’s been a coach for as long as I can remember.
He spent my whole childhood teaching us both.
Playing hockey was never my thing, but the strategy?
The plays? That’s what always interested me.
I loved figuring out how everything fit together, how the right pass at the right moment could change the entire game.
Being the only girl in this class isn’t always easy, but I’m not backing down or cowering away. This is my dream, and I’m not going to let anyone make me feel like I don’t belong.
So, when I catch the guy in the back corner of the room staring at me, I don’t flinch. I’ve gotten used to it by now. But his gaze lingers longer than usual, and I can’t help but wonder what his deal is.
When the professor finally dismisses us, I grab my things, mentally preparing to get out of here. But just as I start to stand, I feel someone approach.
“Hey.” I turn to find the same guy from before, grinning at me. “I’m Luke. You new here? Haven’t seen you around before.”
I pause for a moment, glancing up at him. “Yeah, just started this semester.”
He nods, his eyes scanning me thoughtfully. I do the same. He’s tall, maybe a little over six feet, with broad shoulders and dark hair that’s a little messy, like he’s just run his hands through it, with a slight stubble grazing against his jaw.
“I’m not going to lie, you kind of caught my eye,” he says, his gaze lingering a little longer than necessary, making a small flutter of warmth spread across my chest.
I can’t help but laugh at that. “Guess being the only girl in a room full of guys kind of does that to you.”
“Not complaining,” he replies, leaning in slightly, his grin widening, the playful glint in his eyes making something warm settle in my stomach. “I like it. Makes things… interesting.”
I roll my eyes but can’t fight the smile tugging at my lips. “You don’t get enough of that from the rest of your classmates?”
“Eh,” he shrugs, the movement causing his muscles to shift under his fitted shirt. “They’re not exactly my type.” His grin deepens. “You, though? I think I could get used to that.”
I laugh again, shaking my head. “Is that supposed to be a pick-up line?”
“I mean, it’s working, isn’t it?” he teases.
My lips twitch. “Maybe a little.”
I like how effortlessly he’s flirting with me, like it’s second nature to him. It’s kind of refreshing, actually.
But then, the thought of Ryan pops into my mind. I shouldn’t be thinking about Ryan. He’s not an option. He never was.
Aurora was right. I need to have some fun. Figure out who I am outside of all the baggage of my ex. I need a distraction—someone like Luke.
I glance back at him, letting my eyes drift over his broad shoulders and sharp jawline again. He’s definitely attractive, no doubt about it. His smile’s a little cocky, but there’s a warmth to it that makes me want to get to know him. “Guess you’ll have to try harder if you want to impress me.”
Luke chuckles, stepping closer, but before he can say anything else, another guy walks up, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. He glances between me and Luke. “You coming?” he asks Luke.
Luke waves his friend off, his eyes still on me. “Yeah. I’ll be right there.”
His friend arches a brow, glancing at me once more. “You do know that’s Isabella Hayes, right? As in Nathan’s sister?”
I watch a flicker of recognition pass over Luke’s face. His eyes widen, and for a second, his confident grin falters. “Shit,” he mutters, taking a step back. “I uh… I gotta go.”
I watch him walk away, the playful tension between us evaporating as quickly as it appeared. I let out a frustrated sigh, shoving my stuff into my bag. Great. Just what I needed. Another guy who can’t see me for me, only as Nathan Hayes’s little sister.
I sling my bag over my shoulder and head up the stairs.
Walking down the hallway, I spot Nathan up ahead, his broad frame standing out in the crowd of students. He catches my eye and gives a subtle nod of his chin. “Hey, Izz. You just come out of class?”
I nod as Nathan steps in line with me, walking beside me.
“You okay?” he asks, furrowing his brows.
I open my mouth to respond, but I can’t help but notice the way people glance at him.
It’s like I’m invisible next to him.
I thought coming to Colton U and working beside my dad would be the best thing for my career. And, if I’m being honest, kind of fun too. But it feels like I’m just an extension of Nathan, a shadow instead of a person. Everyone sees me as his sister, and that’s it. They don’t look beyond that.
“Yeah,” I reply with a sigh. “I’m good.”
“How’s everything going with classes? Any of those guys giving you trouble?”
“Not yet, but I keep to myself.”
Nathan raises a brow, his expression softening. “You shouldn’t have to. You’ve got every right to be there.”
I shake my head, the smile lingering. As much as I resent the fact that every guy on campus is too scared to even get close to me because of Nathan, I can’t help but feel grateful for him.
I may not always like it, but having a brother like him—I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
He might be a pain in the ass, but he’s never once made me feel anything less than supported.
“Thanks, but I can handle myself.”
Nathan pulls me into a side hug, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “Just looking out for you, Izz. The guys and I are going to the bar later. You wanna come?”
I flutter my lashes up at him. “Really?” I gasp, covering my mouth dramatically. “You’re finally letting me out of my tower?”
He scoffs, the corner of his lips twitching into a grin. “Christ, you’re such a drama queen. You wanna come or not? My invitation only lasts so long.”
I roll my eyes. “How generous of you. Are you going to babysit me all night, or will you actually let me have some fun?”
He shrugs. “Depends what kind of fun. I’m not sitting around while you mack on some guy, but you can have a drink. I won’t tell Dad.”
I scoff, shaking my head. Nathan was never the kind of brother to snitch, and I wasn’t either. We had an unspoken pact when it came to stuff like this.
“Fine,” I relent, dropping my shoulders. “I’ll come.”
“Cool.” He shoots me a smile. “Gotta get to class. See you later.”
I watch him disappear into a lecture hall before pulling out my phone. If I’m going to survive a night at the bar with my brother’s friends, I need backup.
Me:
Wanna come to the bar tonight?
Aurora:
***
Me:
I didn’t think it was a hard question.
Aurora:
Who is this? Because it can’t be Isabella Hayes. She’d rather do homework than go to a bar.
Me:
Funny. I guess I’ll just go alone then.
Aurora:
Oh, hell no. You’d be a disaster on your own.
I scoff out a laugh.
Me:
Wow. Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Aurora:
You know I’m right. You’d sit in the corner, sip your apple juice like a sad little Victorian child and then leave at 10 p.m. saying you have an early morning.
Me:
First of all, I drank cranberry juice. Second, I make no promises about the 10 p.m. part.
Aurora:
That’s why I’m coming. We’re getting you that rebound.
I hesitate, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. A rebound. The words make my stomach twist, but I push the feeling down. She’s right. I need to move on, have fun, figure out who I am outside of my brother’s shadow and the guy who’s off limits.
Me:
Fine. But no setting me up with weird guys.
Aurora:
Define weird.
Me:
If he refers to women as ‘females,’ I’m out.
Aurora:
Fair. See you at 8. Wear something short and hot.
Me:
No.
Aurora:
Yes.
I don’t bother replying. She’s already won.
Shoving my phone into my bag, I blow out a breath. Maybe this will be a disaster. Maybe it won’t. Either way, I’m done sitting in the corner.
Time to see what happens.