Page 28 of The Rule Breaker (Colton U Playbook #1)

RYAN

T he first thing I feel when I wake up is sore.

The second thing? Smug as hell.

I stretch, then wince when a dull ache flares in my shoulder. It’s been a few weeks since that hit, but it still sneaks up on me sometimes. Probably should’ve iced it last night.

Ah, well. I was doing something way more fun.

A grin tugs at my lips at the reminder as I sink deeper into my pillow, my muscles still heavy with sleep.

My mind plays a loop of the memories from last night. Her hands on me. The way her breath hitched when I kissed down her neck. The way her fingers curled against my back, pulling me closer. The way she tightened around me even when we were interrupted.

Heat creeps up my neck, my skin tingling with the ghost of her touch. I should probably feel guilty. Maybe a tiny part of me does. But mostly? It just felt too fucking good. Too right. Nothing has felt as right as being with Isabella has.

I run a hand over my face, groaning as I force myself to sit up, and glance around my room, my eyes adjusting to the morning light spilling in through the blinds. My clothes from last night are crumpled in the corner along with my shoes.

I scrub a hand through my hair, debating whether I have the energy to shower or if I can get away with just throwing on clean clothes and calling it a day.

Food first. Shower later.

I glance down, realizing I’m in nothing but my boxers. Not exactly an uncommon sight in this house. Logan walks around like this all the damn time, not a single ounce of shame in his body.

I push off the bed and head to my dresser, grabbing a pair of sweatpants and stepping into them, then pull a hoodie over my head. My stomach growls as the scent of bacon drifts under my door, and I take that as my cue to move.

The guy’s voices get louder as I open my bedroom door and climb down the stairs.

When I walk into the kitchen, Nathan’s at the stove, flipping bacon. Austin is leaning against the counter, scrolling through his phone, probably texting his latest situationship. And Logan’s at the island, popping grapes into his mouth one by one, feet kicked up on the chair across from him.

Logan looks up first, a sly grin tugging at his lips. “Well, well, well. Look who finally decided to wake up.”

I grunt in response, rubbing my shoulder as I step into the kitchen.

Austin smirks from his spot at the counter, glancing over his shoulder with a playful gleam in his eyes. “Yeah, what the hell, man? You never sleep in.”

I reach for a mug from the cabinet, trying to keep my cool. Trying to act like nothing’s out of the ordinary. Chill. Definitely not like a guy who spent last night with a girl he shouldn’t have. “Needed the rest.”

Nathan looks up as he plates up the bacon strips, his eyebrows arched. “Rest from what?”

I shrug and pour myself some coffee. “Just tired.” I lift the mug to my lips. “Practice has been killing me.”

Austin side-eyes me from across the room. “I thought you said your shoulder wasn’t hurting anymore.”

Shit. “It’s not,” I lie. “Just… you know coach. He’s a beast.”

Austin chuckles, grabbing a bacon strip from the plate and munching on it. “Oh, I fucking know. He made me skate fifty laps because I called his wife hot.”

Nathan groans. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

“What?” Austin lifts a shoulder in a lazy shrug, a shit-eating grin plastered across his face. “Your mom’s a MILF, Nathan. Embrace it.” He winks.

Nathan groans, chucking a piece of toast at him.

I breathe out a laugh, shaking my head. Austin’s got no filter, and he knows exactly how to press someone’s buttons.

I let out a laugh, shaking my head, when Logan nudges my shoulder. “Where the hell did you go last night?” he asks. “We looked for you, but you just vanished.”

Austin raises an eyebrow. “With Brenda again?”

I force a sip of my coffee, stalling as I try to come up with something that won’t make me sound like a total idiot. “Nah, that’s… over. I went home.”

Austin snorts, his eyes flicking over to me with suspicion. “Alone?”

I meet his gaze squarely, my expression blank. “Yep.”

Austin doesn’t look convinced, his gaze narrowing. “Hmm. Okay.”

I’m not really in the mood for an interrogation, I steal a piece of bacon off his plate, stuffing it into my mouth, hoping they’ll drop it.

But Logan’s still staring at me, his brows tugged together as he studies me. “You’re acting different,” he says, which makes me raise a brow.

“Different how?”

Logan gestures vaguely, his hand floating in the air like he’s trying to find the right words. “I don’t know. You’re… smiling. A lot.”

I wipe the grin off my face way too fast. “I’m not.” Am I?

Logan squints, then his eyes widen, almost popping out of his head. “You got laid last night.”

My hand jerks, nearly spilling my coffee as I choke on it. I cough hard, trying not to make a complete fool of myself. The hot liquid burns a line down my throat as I struggle to keep my face neutral. “What?”

Austin leans in, his usual smirk spreading wider. “Went home alone , did you?”

“The rook is spewing bullshit,” I lie, rolling my eyes to try and mask the lie. “I didn’t get laid last night.”

God, I’m a terrible liar. My heart’s pounding in my chest like it’s trying to escape. I swear it’s gonna blurt out the truth for me. But I can’t let that happen.

“Bullshit,” Austin says, crossing his arms over his chest, his brow arched. “Who was she?”

I grumble, grabbing a piece of bacon and stuffing it in my mouth like it’ll somehow make them back off. But deep down, I know better than to think they will ever shut up.

Austin grins, shaking his head with a chuckle. “Look at him. She must be special if you’re hiding her from us.”

I roll my eyes, trying my best to act unaffected, though I can already feel the heat creeping up my neck. Before I can respond, my phone buzzes in my pocket, and I freeze the second I see the name on the screen.

Isabella:

You gave me a hickey!

I almost drop the phone trying to lock the screen, hoping the guys don’t catch a glimpse.

“Was that her?” Logan asks, leaning in too close.

I shoot him a look and turn around, swiping her text open before typing a reply.

Me:

You gave me one last time. Thought I’d return the favor.

Isabella:

Aurora noticed.

Me:

Yeah? What’d you tell her?

Isabella:

What do you think? I can’t lie to her.

I have to wear a high neck top now. There’s no way I can cover up this bruise.

I feel the smirk tug at my lips before I can even stop it. I like knowing she has my mark on her.

A throat clears behind me, and I glance up to see Logan, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “Bro, you’re smiling again.”

I try to force the smile away, but it’s no use. “Don’t you guys have anything better to do?” I ask with an eye roll.

Austin scoffs, dropping his half-eaten bacon on his plate and giving me a once-over. “Nah, this is more interesting.”

Nathan leans against the counter, his arms folded and a grin spreading across his face. “We’ll find out who she is eventually,” he says, which makes my gut churn.

Trust me. You don’t want to know who she is.

I force my lips into a thin line and push the tension down as I brush past them. “I’m heading back upstairs. Need a shower.”

Their laughter follows me as I climb the stairs.

Once I’m in my room, I slam the door shut behind me, throw myself on the bed, and grab my phone, knowing damn well I can’t resist texting her back.

Me:

It’s not a bruise. It’s proof.

I hit send, already leaning back against the headboard, kicking my feet up. I let out a breath, watching the text bubble pop up on the screen almost immediately.

Isabella:

Proof of what?

I let out a chuckle, running my hand through my hair, thinking for a second before replying.

Me:

That I was there.

I type another response, a playful grin sneaking onto my face.

Me:

Don’t hide it. Let them see who’s leaving their mark on you.

Isabella:

You’re impossible.

Me:

But you like me anyway.

Isabella:

Yeah. I do.

I grin and I can’t fight off. I’ve never had this much fun with a girl before, never wanted to be around someone like I do her. Never missed a girl like I do her.

Before I can second-guess myself, I call her.

When she picks up, her voice is breathy, clearly caught off guard. “Hey.”

My stomach does this flip, and a grin I can’t fight pulls at my lips. “Hi.” I run a hand through my hair, nerves kicking in. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to call, I just—” I hesitate, then huff out a laugh. “Actually, that’s bullshit. I did. I wanted to hear your voice.”

She laughs softly, and I can hear that smile in her voice. “I’m glad you did.”

I lean back against the headboard, the phone pressed to my ear. “Yeah?” A smile spreads across my face. “I’m glad too.”

For a second, neither of us says anything, and I exhale, rubbing a hand down my face. “Fuck, I wanna see you.”

She lets out this amused little huff, and I can practically see her raising an eyebrow. “You saw me last night. Have you already forgotten?”

A low groan rumbles in my throat. “Oh, I haven’t forgotten. I can’t stop thinking about it.”

There’s some shuffling on her end, and then the call cuts.

I pull the phone away, staring at the black screen. “What the hell?”

Did she seriously hang up on me?

I’m still processing when a new notification pops up.

Incoming video call.

My pulse jumps, and I hit accept without thinking.

And then she’s there.

Lying on her side, one arm tucked under her head, the other steadying her laptop.

Her hair’s messy, falling over her shoulder in soft waves.

Her tank top’s slipping just enough to make it hard to focus on anything else.

There’s a flash of toned stomach between the hem and a pair of sleep shorts that look more like underwear than actual clothing.

“Fuck, Isabella.” My voice comes out rough as I rake a hand through my hair, already feeling way too hot for how far away she is.

She smirks. “Thought you wanted to see me.”