Page 57 of The Rule Breaker (Colton U Playbook #1)

ISABELLA

I pull open another drawer, sorting through clothes and mentally checking off the list of things I need to do before we leave. Ryan got traded to a new team, which means another move. Moving isn’t anything new for us, and honestly, I’ve gotten pretty good at making it work.

As I sort through the piles of jeans, shirts, and jackets, I take a quick glance at my phone, my thumb swiping across the screen to check emails. Data analysis reports. Game footage I need to review. Player performance stats.

I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips. I love what I do. The flexibility of working remotely is my perfect fit, and it’s one of the perks that lets me follow Ryan wherever he goes.

I can practically see the next few months unfolding in my mind.

We’ll settle in a new city, I’ll find a quiet corner to work, and I’ll be there for Ryan, supporting him as his career continues to evolve.

The beauty of my job is that as long as I have Wi-Fi, I can do it anywhere.

And the best part? I get to be with my husband through it all.

I grab a T-shirt from the pile, my brows tugging together when I feel the sticky fabric between my fingers. My eyes widen when I realize it’s the one I spilled my drink on the night I met Ryan.

That night feels like a lifetime ago, and yet, every time I look at this shirt, I’m reminded of how far we’ve come.

Ryan walks into the room, his eyes scanning the space before landing on me. “Baby, have you seen my?—”

I hold up the T-shirt, rolling my eyes. “Seriously? You’re still holding onto this shirt?”

He grins, leaning against the doorframe, that playful glint in his eyes that still makes my knees weak. “It’s a classic.”

I shake my head, the smile never leaving my face. “More like a relic.”

Ryan steps closer, his hand drifting over my stomach where our son is growing, his fingers brushing gently over my belly. His touch is soft, tender, and it makes me smile.

“Well,” he murmurs, his voice low, “I’m keeping it. It’s a piece of our history. I want to show our son one day and tell him how I met you.”

I glance up at him, my heart swelling as I look into his eyes. He’s still the same Ryan in so many ways—messy hair, that signature grin, and the way his eyes light up when he’s happy.

I rest my hand on his, feeling the matching wedding band on his finger.

“Are you okay with the trade?” he asks, his expression turning serious as he searches for something in my eyes.

I nod, offering him a smile. “Yeah. It’ll be a change, but it’s exciting, and besides, you’ll get to play on the same team as Austin again. I know how much that means to you.”

Ryan’s grin widens, and his hand moves to cup my face, his thumb brushing gently over my cheek.

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to that. Getting to play with the guys again, especially Austin.

It’s gonna be like old times. But no matter what, you and our son come first. Always.

I’ll take care of you two, you can count on that. ”

My heart flutters at his words. I’ve always felt safe with him, and now, with our little one on the way, that feeling only grows stronger.

I rest my hand on his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat beneath my palm. “You make it sound so easy.”

Ryan leans down, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. “Because it is. Moving, being a part of this life—yeah, it’s not always easy. But being with you? That’s the part that’s always been easy.” He grins, squeezing my hand. “I couldn’t do any of this without you by my side.”

I chuckle softly. “Good thing you don’t have to.”

Ryan gently rubs my belly again, and he pulls me in for a kiss. When he pulls away, he looks at me with that soft, loving smile that makes my heart race. “You’re my favorite person, Curls. You know that?”

I nod, my voice soft. “You’re mine, too.”

We’ve grown so much over the years—Graduating, the NHL, the constant travels and trades—but it’s all worth it. Because we’ve always been through everything together.

“So, what do you think?” Ryan asks, holding my face in his hands as a smile curls onto his lips. “You up for another five years of this?”

A laugh bubbles up from me. “Let’s make it ten.”

Ryan’s grin widens, and before I can say anything else, his thumb brushes over my cheek as he leans down until his breath fans over my lips. “How about forever?”

My heart skips, the thought of forever with him settling deep into my chest. “Forever sounds perfect.”

The End