Page 53 of The Rule Breaker (Colton U Playbook #1)

ISABELLA

D inner smells amazing.

Mom made her famous roasted chicken with garlic mashed potatoes and buttery green beans. It always reminds me of home, the times when we’d all sit at the table together, talking and laughing over stories from practice or whatever else was going on in our lives.

Except tonight, the mood is tense.

Nathan’s barely looked at me since we sat down. Dad hasn’t said much, either, which is honestly worse because the man never shuts up. If he’s quiet, something’s definitely off.

Mom, on the other hand, keeps shooting me knowing glances, like she’s waiting for me to bring up the obvious elephant in the room.

I set my fork down and exhale slowly. “Alright, let’s get this over with.”

Dad lifts a brow. “Get what over with?”

I give him a flat look. “The part where you and Nathan act like I’ve committed a federal crime.”

Nathan snorts. “Pretty sure dating Ryan is a crime.”

“Yeah?” I shoot back. “Then what does that make punching him in the face during practice? Community service?”

Nathan rolls his eyes, dropping his fork. “I barely touched him.”

“His lip split.”

“Should’ve ducked faster.”

Mom gasps. “Nathan!”

He shrugs. “What? He disrespected Dad.”

“Oh my god.” I push my plate away, my appetite gone. “This is exactly what I mean. You two are acting like I betrayed the family or something.”

“You did,” Nathan replies, dryly.

Dad finally speaks up, cutting into his chicken. “Nathan’s right. He stepped out of line.”

Mom kicks Dad under the table.

He flinches. “Ow—What was that for?”

“Don’t encourage this,” she says.

Dad raises both hands in surrender. “Yes, dear.”

“Napkin,” she adds.

He obediently wipes his mouth. “Anything else while I’m at it? Want me to recite the national anthem?”

Mom smiles sweetly. “I’ve got a better use for your mouth.”

“Christ, mom,” Nathan groans.

I try not to gag at the flirtatious sparkle in her eye, but Dad’s already glancing at me again, his expression serious as he sets his knife down on the table.

“Listen, princess. You’ve got to understand… this isn’t just some random guy you started dating. He’s my player. Nathan’s teammate.”

Nathan crosses his arms. “Locker room’s a fucking mess.”

Dad nods. “And now I’ve got half the team thinking I play favorites.”

“Oh, please,” I scoff. “If anything, Ryan’s getting less playing time now.”

Nathan picks up his fork, mumbling, “Good.”

Mom sighs, pressing her hand to her forehead. “Can we all just eat before the chicken goes cold?”

I stare at them, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Why do you hate this so much? Do you really think I’m stupid and can’t make my own choices?”

Nathan doesn’t answer. He just clenches his jaw and shovels mashed potatoes into his mouth.

Dad shakes his head. “It’s not that we don’t think you can make your own choices.”

“Could’ve fooled me.”

“It’s about making sure you’re taken care of. I’ve seen the way guys in hockey act. I don’t want that for you.”

Mom snorts. “If I remember correctly, you’d dated half of campus before you met me.”

Dad’s whole demeanor shifts. “That was different.”

She raises an eyebrow. “How?”

He pauses, then smiles. “Because I didn’t know what I was missing until I met you.”

I blink. “Did you guys just… flirt in the middle of this?”

Nathan groans, burying his head in his hands. “They do this all the time. I’m begging you. Make it stop.”

Mom shrugs, a smile curling on her lips. “Sorry, love. Marriage perk.”

I turn back to Dad. “If you could change when you met Mom, why is it so hard to believe Ryan changed when he met me?”

He watches me for a beat, then sighs. “He really makes you happy?”

“Yes.” I don’t even hesitate. “He treats me with respect. He listens. Which is more than I can say for the two of you right now.” I close my eyes for a second. “Look. I get that you’re protective. But I’m not twelve anymore.”

There’s a long pause, the kind where it feels like the whole table is holding its breath.

Then Dad leans back in his chair and lets out a heavy sigh. “You love him?”

I nod. “Yeah. I do.”

He exhales slowly, lips pressing into a line. “Then I guess we’ll deal with it.”

Across the table, Nathan gapes. “ Seriously? ”

Dad shrugs. “She’s an adult. What else can I do?”

Nathan glares at him. “You could bench him.”

Dad’s eyes gleam. “Or kick his shin.”

Mom sips her wine. “Or—here’s a thought—you could just invite him over for dinner.”

Nathan makes a wounded noise. “Please no.”

Dad eyes her. “You sure that’s a good idea?”

She lifts her brows. “Did I stutter?”

He sighs. “No, ma’am.”

Nathan drags a hand down his face. “I’m skipping Sunday.”

“No, you’re not,” Mom chirps. “Family dinner. Attendance is mandatory.”

Dad stabs a green bean. Mom sips her wine with a smirk. And Nathan looks like he’s plotting Ryan’s murder.

I sit there for a second, the tension still hanging in the air, just not as sharp as before. No one’s exactly thrilled. There’s no big speech or heartfelt moment. Just a quiet, grudging acceptance.

Not exactly what I hoped for.

But no one stormed off. No one flipped the table.

Honestly? I’ll count it as a win.