Page 38 of The Rule Breaker (Colton U Playbook #1)

ISABELLA

T he bus rolls to a stop, the sudden jerk making everyone shift in their seats. I grab my bag, sling it over my shoulder, and wait for the doors to open. The second the bus comes to a full stop, the guys practically scramble out, eager to stretch their legs.

“Aw, sick,” Austin says, practically bouncing as he steps down the first step. His eyes are already scanning the house. “Dibs on the master bedroom!”

“That’s not happening,” my dad says, stepping off the bus.

Austin turns, his brows drawn together. “What do you mean? I’m paying for the pizza tonight. I deserve the best room.”

“I paid for the house,” he replies with a dry look. “I decide who sleeps where.”

I step off the bus, taking in the house. It’s tucked away in a quiet corner, surrounded by trees and wild grass that could probably use a trim, but it’s light, modern, and way bigger than anywhere I’ve stayed before.

The guys all rush past me, but Ryan falls in step beside me, glancing over the house. “Not bad,” he says.

“Not bad?” I ask, my eyes widening. “It’s gorgeous. There’s a hot tub, a pool, and it’s huge.”

“Fair point,” Ryan says with a grin, his eyes flicking toward me. Then, without warning, he gently tugs me aside, pulling me behind some bushes near the side of the house, out of sight from the rest of the guys.

Before I can ask what he’s doing, his lips are on mine. He groans against my mouth, like he’s been waiting for this moment, and honestly, so have I. His hand finds its way to my waist, pulling me closer, and I can feel the rapid thump of his heartbeat against mine.

“Missed you,” he mutters, his forehead resting against mine. “Fuck, I really missed you.”

I can’t help the soft laugh that escapes me, still a little breathless. “I’ve been sitting right next to you on the bus all day.”

He grins, brushing his thumb over my cheek. “Yeah, but I couldn’t kiss you,” he says, his gaze dropping to my lips. “Couldn’t touch you.”

A warmth blooms in my chest. I roll my eyes but can’t fight the smile pulling at my lips. “Let’s go inside before the guys start wondering what we’re up to,” I say, stepping back reluctantly before I end up kissing him again and we get caught.

Ryan just grins, reaching down to grab my bag before I can. “Lead the way, baby.”

We walk into the house together, my eyes widening when we step inside.

The living room is massive, with plush leather couches scattered around a grand fireplace.

A flat-screen TV stretches across one wall, and the place smells like fresh wood and clean linens.

To the right is an open kitchen with a marble countertop, and snacks are already set out on the island.

Austin’s lounging across the enormous sectional in the living room, his arms behind his head. “Holy shit, this couch is so soft. I’m never leaving.”

Coach doesn’t even glance at him as he drops his duffel near the door. “If you wanna pay four hundred a night, be my guest. One less headache for me on the bus ride back.”

Austin’s eyes go wide. “Four hundred? Jesus.” He lets out a low whistle, shaking his head. “Okay. I see why your wife sticks around, now.”

Coach just grumbles in response, and I bite back a laugh.

Austin is always chirping my dad about my mom, and it never gets old.

My mom’s stunning and totally head-over-heels for my dad, in a way that makes Nathan and I groan whenever they start making out in front of us.

But Austin thinks it’s his personal mission to remind my dad that he’s got a thing for her, every chance he gets.

The rest of the guys trickle in, tossing their bags wherever they please. Logan heads straight for the kitchen, yanking open the fridge. “Is there any beer?”

Coach shoots him a look. “We got water.”

Logan groans, slamming the fridge shut. Meanwhile, Nathan’s already scoping out the place, mentally calculating where everyone’s sleeping, figuring out where to stash the gear, and making sure Austin doesn’t burn the place down.

I start walking toward the stairs, and Ryan’s footsteps follow behind me.

“I call dibs on whatever room’s closest to yours,” he murmurs low enough for only me to hear.

A laugh slips from my lips. “Should we just share a bed and make it obvious we’re fucking?”

His lips quirk up in that mischievous way I love. “Don’t really feel like getting my ass kicked, but if you need help testing yours out, I’m happy to volunteer.”

I roll my eyes, though a smile tugs at the corners of my mouth as we reach the top of the stairs. Ryan chuckles, his hand reaches out, toying with my ponytail. “You look cute when you blush.”

My skin flushes at his flirting as we walk down the hallway. Most of the rooms have already been claimed, but I spot a smaller one at the very end. Cozy. Private. Perfect.

Ryan leans against the doorframe, crossing his arms, his eyes scanning the room with a grin. “Cute.”

“Are you gonna help me unpack or just stand there looking pretty?” I drop my bag on the bed and shoot him a playful look.

His grin widens, and I feel my knees go a little weak. God, he’s so hot. “I do both equally well.”

Before I can respond, Logan calls out from down the hall. “Reed. There’s a room over here.”

Ryan sighs dramatically. “Guess that’s my cue.”

We glance down the hallway, where Logan is standing, and the room he’s talking about is at least four doors away, a little too far for my liking.

A chuckle leaves my lips when Ryan groans. “Guess you’re not getting lucky tonight after all.”

Ryan’s eyes meet mine and he steps closer, his scent messing with my head in the best way. He lifts his hand, his fingers brushing against my jaw, slowly.

A grin breaks out onto his face, enjoying the effect he has on me. “Baby, you’re here. I’m already lucky enough.”

I smile before I can stop myself. He’s being ridiculously, annoyingly cute, and my heart hammers against my chest so hard it feels like it might actually explode.

For a second, I let myself enjoy the way his words make my chest flutter, the warmth bubbling up in my throat.

But then my brain catches up.

The smile falters, just enough for the truth to sneak back in. This is supposed to be fun. Casual. No strings. No feelings.

So why does my stomach twist like I’m seventeen and falling for the first time?

I shake my head, trying to clear the fog and snap myself out of it.

But Ryan catches the movement.

His eyes narrow, sharp and curious, like he can read every thought I’m trying to bury. “What was that look?” he asks.

“Nothing,” I say too quickly, stepping distance might help the churning in my stomach. “Let’s just… focus on the game first.”

Ryan’s grin widens, that cocky tilt to his mouth making it almost impossible not to smile back. “You gonna wear my jersey, Curls?”

I lift a brow. “That would be a little obvious, don’t you think?”

Something flickers in his eyes—disappointment maybe—but it vanishes as quickly as it came, masked by a hand dragging through his hair.

“Yeah, yeah. I know,” he sighs, glancing away for a beat. “I just… wanted to see you wear my name, I guess.”

The flicker of vulnerability in his eyes punches straight through my chest.

I hate it.

Because the truth is, I want that too. I want to wear his jersey, to cheer him on.

But I can’t.

So instead, I step in close. My lips brush his ear as I rise on my toes, hands splayed against his chest.

“I’ll moan your name instead,” I whisper.

I don’t wait for his reaction.

Just turn on my heel and head into my room, heat crawling up the back of my neck, fully aware of his eyes locked on me.

But the low groan I hear as the door clicks shut behind me?

Yeah… this weekend is going to be fun.