Page 56 of The Rule Breaker (Colton U Playbook #1)

ISABELLA

T he bar is loud, packed with people, but all I can focus on is the warmth of Ryan beside me. His arm rests along the back of my seat, fingers playing absentmindedly with the ends of my hair like he doesn’t even realize he’s doing it.

I’ve never had this before.

My last relationship had been secrets and whispers. But this? Sitting beside Ryan, with his hand in my hair, and his thigh pressed against mine, it’s the kind of thing I never thought I’d get.

And I’m so damn glad that he’s the first person I get to have it with.

Ryan leans closer, his breath warm against my cheek. “You keep staring at me,” he murmurs, a smirk tugging at his lips. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re obsessed.”

I snort, elbowing him lightly. “And if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you like it.”

His grin is slow, easy, as he shifts, his lips brushing against my ear. “I do.”

A little shiver runs down my spine. We’ve been together for months now, but I still feel flutters around him, like it’s the first time he kissed me in that locker room.

“I like this,” I admit softly. “Being with you. Out in the open.”

His fingers tighten ever so slightly in my hair, and he shifts closer, his thumb brushing the back of my neck in a way that makes my brain short-circuit.

“Yeah?” he murmurs.

I nod.

For a second, neither of us moves. We just sit there, the noise of the bar buzzing around us while we’re in our own little bubble.

Then Ryan leans in and kisses me. The kind of kiss that makes me forget everything except the feel of his lips and the way my fingers curl in the fabric of his shirt like I don’t ever want to let go.

We don’t get far before Nathan groans beside us.

“Come on,” Nathan says. “If you’re gonna date my sister, can you not make out with her like five inches from my face?”

Ryan grins against my lips before pulling back. “You’d rather we move to the other side of the table?”

Nathan raises his eyebrows. “I’d rather you both develop a sudden and incurable fear of PDA.”

I just roll my eyes. “You’ve known for weeks. Get over it already.”

“I will never get over it,” Nathan deadpans, chugging his beer.

“Better get used to it, man,” Ryan says with a shrug, reaching for his drink. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Aurora slides into the seat beside me, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder. “You two are disgustingly in love. I love it.”

I snicker, but the moment is immediately ruined when Cole walks past, his dark eyes flicking toward her with pure, unfiltered disdain. “Jesus. You’re here.”

Aurora glares. “Trust me, I’m just as disappointed to see you.”

Cole takes a seat and leans against the table like he owns it, gum snapping between his teeth, the sleeves of his cut-off tee doing absolutely nothing to hide the tattoos running down his arms. He looks like a warning label, especially with the way he scowls at Aurora.

“Do you have to hover?” she mutters, taking a long sip from her cocktail.

“No one asked you to be here,” he says flatly.

“No one asked you to breathe, but here we are.”

Austin slides in across from us, smirking as his eyes flick between them. “God, you guys are better than cable.”

Logan strolls up to the table, tapping Austin on his shoulder. “I’m heading home.”

Austin blinks up at him. “What Already?”

Logan just shrugs, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. His eyes flick over his shoulder—toward a guy leaning against the bar, watching him with a smirk. Tall. Dark hair. Broad shoulders.

Then Logan turns back, shooting Austin a wink. “Don’t come home for a good hour.”

Nathan chokes on his drink and his eyes bounce between Logan and the guy. His throat bobs as he swallows. “I—” He clears his throat. “I thought you were straight?”

Logan shakes his head. “Nah, man. I’m bi.” He pauses, his gaze sharpening. “That a problem?”

Nathan’s eyes widen slightly. “What? No. Of—Of course not.”

Logan studies him for a beat, then claps him on the shoulder. “Good.” He grabs his jacket. “See you guys later.”

He disappears into the crowd, and a moment later, Nathan takes another long sip of his beer.

Austin raises a brow at my brother, amusement in his eyes. “You okay there, champ?”

Nathan nods a little too fast. “Yeah. Fine.”

The night stretches on, and when I glance over at Ryan, I feel a familiar warmth spread through my chest.

He catches me looking, brows lifting. “What?”

I shake my head, smiling. “Nothing. Just happy.”

“Yeah. Me too.” Ryan’s lips curl into that signature smirk of his, his lips grazing mine just before he kisses me again. “I’m really glad you spilled your drink on me that night.”

I laugh softly, teasing, “I’m glad you gave me my rebound.”

Ryan chuckles. “And now you’re stuck with me for the rest of your life.” He leans in, pressing his forehead against mine, before our lips meet in a soft kiss.

I can’t help but feel it in my bones that no matter what comes next, I’ll be exactly where I’m supposed to be. Right here, with him.

“Yeah,” I whisper, my fingers intertwining with his, “I think I’m okay with that.”