Page 7 of The Rule Breaker (Colton U Playbook #1)

ISABELLA

I ’m gonna die.

Okay, maybe not die , but Aurora is definitely going to dislocate my shoulder if she keeps yanking me around like a ragdoll.

“Come on,” she wraps her arm around mine, tugging me along, “you need sunlight before you start hissing at it.”

I squint against the obnoxious brightness, raising a hand to shield my face. “I appreciate the concern, but I’m good.”

“Just looking out for you,” Aurora says, throwing me a pointed look. “When’s the last time you left our dorm for something other than class or hockey practice?”

I open my mouth to respond, but then I pause.

She smirks. “Exactly. You’ve been holed up in there for days.”

I sigh, already regretting letting her pull me out of the dorm. “Aurora, I really need?—”

She stops so suddenly I nearly crash into her. Placing her hands on her hips, she arches a brow. “You’re coming with me to get some fresh air, coffee, and stop thinking about hockey for five minutes, before your brain turns into ice shavings.”

I exhale, defeated. “Fine. One coffee. Then I really need to study.”

Aurora grins, looping her arm through mine. “Good girl.”

I scoff. “Do I look like a dog to you?”

She sniffs dramatically, then shoots me a grin. “You kinda smell like one.”

I laugh, shoving her lightly as we cross campus, and okay—maybe this isn’t the worst idea. The fresh air actually feels nice , warm sunlight spilling across my skin, the scent of coffee floating through the air.

It’s been way too long since I’ve done anything but drown myself in school and hockey.

Ever since the party last week, my routine has been nothing but classes, practice, and hiding in my dorm with my favorite sweatpants.

The only time I see Aurora is when she’s half-asleep with a face mask on, watching horror movies in total darkness like a psychopath.

The second we step inside the café, Aurora takes a deep inhale. “God, I love this place,” she sighs, dreamily. “It’s the only thing keeping me from committing crimes.”

“You barely function with caffeine,” I tease, heading for the counter.

“Rude.” She flips her sunglasses onto her head, flicking her blonde hair over her shoulder. “What’s the move? Stick to my usual or risk my taste buds and finally try a matcha?”

My face screws up. “Just get your usual. You’re not that adventurous.”

She gasps, scandalized. “Excuse me, I once did five tequila shots and rode a mechanical bull.”

“And cried after.”

She rolls her eyes. “That’s not the point, Isabella. God , why did I tell you that?”

I let out a chuckle as I order a caramel latte, and hand over my card. Aurora, however—adamant on wanting to prove me wrong—orders a matcha, takes one sip, and instantly grimaces like she just licked the bottom of a lawnmower.

“This tastes like grass.”

“Expensive grass,” I correct, chuckling into my caramel latte.

She hums, smacking her lips. “With a sprinkle of regret.”

Since I’m a good friend, I won’t tell her ‘ I told you so’ , but… I told her so.

We grab a small table by the window, warm sunlight spilling across our drinks, and Aurora is already scrolling on her phone before I even sit down.

“Party tonight,” she announces, tapping out a quick text before looking up at me. “We’re going.”

I’ve only known Aurora for less than two weeks, but one thing is abundantly clear—this girl does not take no for an answer.

“Aurora.” I shake my head. “If I ever want to work with a pro-team and not end up running them into the ground, I actually have to pass this class.”

She eyes me over her cup, lips pursed. “Do you actually need to study, or are you just trying to avoid a certain someone?”

My fingers tighten around my cup. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Aurora lets out a knowing chuckle, arching a brow. “Oh, please. You can’t fool me. I saw you two talking at the party, and now you have to see each other every day at practice… You sure nothing happened?”

“Positive,” I say, lifting my coffee to my lips. “Just a few quick conversations.”

“About?” she pries, stirring her drink as she dumps in three sugar packets.

I press my lips together. Since my dad is always around, we never really… talk. Usually, he just skates past me, compliments my outfit, flashes me a wink or that smile of his that turns my knees to jelly, and then disappears into the locker room.

“Stuff,” I reply, sipping my drink to avoid having to say any more.

Aurora smirks, snapping the lid back onto her drink. “I don’t know anyone who avoids a guy this hard unless they hooked up with him… or committed a felony in his presence.”

I shoot her a flat look. “First of all, what? And second of all, I already told you, nothing happened.”

She hums, leaning in, her eyes twinkling. “But you wanted something to happen.”

I open my mouth to argue, but before I can, Aurora suddenly chokes on her drink. She coughs, eyes going wide as she presses a hand to her chest. Then, a slow, wicked grin spreads across her face.

“Oh, this just keeps getting better.”

I frown. “What?”

She doesn’t answer; just tilts her head toward the counter.

I follow her gaze, and my stomach sinks like a rock.

Because standing there, looking unfairly good in a hoodie and joggers, is Ryan.

His dark hair is tousled, sticking up in places like he just rolled out of bed, and he’s grinning at something.

Not just any grin—full-bodied, dimple-popping laughter, the kind that makes his shoulders shake and his head tilt back slightly.

And standing right next to him? My brother, Nathan.

Of course .

Aurora leans in with a smirk. “I know this is awkward for you, but I’m loving this right now.”

I exhale through my nose, shooting her a dry look. “I’m transferring schools.”

“You’re being ridiculous,” she scoffs with a shake of her head.

“I’m serious. I’ll pack my bags right now.”

Before I can make my escape, Nathan spots me. He lifts his hand, shooting me a smile before nudging Ryan and making his way over.

Ryan’s gaze falls on me. Our eyes lock for a few seconds before he follows my brother.

I retract my earlier statement. I am going to die.

Nathan doesn’t hesitate, flopping into the seat beside me. He throws an arm over the back of my chair. Ryan sits beside him.

“What are you doing here?” my brother asks, arching a brow.

Aurora answers before I can. “Trying to drag your sister out of our dorm for once.”

Nathan snorts. “Is that why you look like that?” he asks, arching a brow, his gaze flicking to my hair.

My cheeks heat as I flip him off. “I hate you.”

My brother laughs. “Yeah, right. Tell me that the next time you need a favor. Speaking of which,” he says, shifting in his seat, “you still have a ton of crap at my place. Taking up all my space and shit.”

I let out a groan, squeezing my eyes shut. “I completely forgot about that. Dad said he’d handle it.”

Nathan snorts, jerking his thumb toward Ryan. “And yet she claims she’s not a baby.” He shakes his head, ruffling my hair. “You’re such a Princess.”

Why he continues to act like I’m a dog, I’ll never know. I shoot Nathan a glare, swatting his hand away, and attempt to fix my hair.

I try desperately not to make eye contact with Ryan. One of the reasons I enjoy talking to him is because he doesn’t treat me like I’m just Nathan’s little sister. But after this? I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts seeing me that way too.

“I’ll deal with it later, don’t worry,” I mutter.

My brother scoffs, unconvinced. “It’s a lot of stuff. Boxes and boxes of makeup and whatever other crap you hoard. No way you can move it alone.”

I glance at Aurora, batting my eyelashes. “You’ll help me, right?”

She sips her matcha, her expression blank. “I didn’t sign up for manual labor.”

I let out a chuckle and shake my head. Can’t fault her for being honest.

Nathan leans back in his chair, his eyes flicking to me with an eyebrow raised.

“Well, you need to figure something out. Can’t have my room drowning in boxes.

” He pushes himself up, tossing his jacket over his shoulder with a shrug and arches a brow my way.

“Brushing your hair isn’t illegal, you know. ”

Ryan chuckles as my brother heads to the door, rubbing a hand over his mouth.

I narrow my eyes. “It’s not funny.”

Ryan presses his lips together, a smirk tugging at the corners as he stands.

“No, of course not,” he says, leaning in closer.

His breath hits my cheek, and I suck in a breath, feeling the air escape my lungs.

“But if you ever need help with anything… I’ll be your guy.

” He pulls back, his lips twitching into a smirk and I feel a shiver race down my spine.

Before I can even come up with a response, Nathan calls out from the door, already on his way out. “Come on, man. We’re gonna be late.”

Ryan straightens, his posture shifting, and glances at Aurora before tipping his head her way. “Aurora.” His eyes slide back to me, and that damn smile of his stretches wider. “Later, Curls.”

I blink, trying to shake off the tension in the air, but it lingers, thick and undeniable. My heart pounds in my chest, and I have no idea why it’s affecting me this much.

Aurora chuckles from beside me, her voice dripping with amusement. “ Nothing happened , she says.”

I discreetly kick her under the table.

Her grin just widens.