Page 8 of The Rule Breaker (Colton U Playbook #1)

RYAN

“ F uck, I’m starving.”

Before I can even kick off my shoes or close the door, Austin bursts through, practically launching himself at the fridge. I hear the familiar squeak of it opening, followed by a frustrated grunt.

“Either grab something or shut the door, man,” Nathan calls out, rolling his eyes as he drops his gym bag onto the floor with a thud. “You’re letting all the cold air out.”

Austin groans, his voice muffled as he digs around inside. “Why the hell don’t we have any real food?”

I give him a deadpan look as I peel off my jacket. “Because you eat everything the second it enters the house,” I reply, raising an eyebrow. “Seriously, you’re like a human vacuum cleaner.”

Austin slams the fridge door with his foot, holding a pack of shredded cheese. He rips it open, not bothering with a plate, and dumps half of it straight into his mouth.

Nathan scrunches up his face in disgust. “Come on, that’s just gross.”

Austin tilts his head, chewing away. “You’re just mad you didn’t think of it first.”

Nathan flops onto one of the stools at the counter with an exaggerated sigh. “I can confidently say I’ve never been jealous of someone eating cheese straight from the bag.” He watches, wincing, as Austin grabs another handful. “Ever heard of a real meal? Protein?”

Austin lifts the cheese bag, waving it around. “Dairy’s got protein, dumbass.”

I snicker under my breath, leaning against the doorframe. “No wonder Cole didn’t want to move in with us.”

We’d asked Cole if he wanted to move in here with us, but he shot it down fast. Said he liked living in his dorm. Which, fine, whatever—but I have a sneaking suspicion he just enjoys being alone. Or maybe he just flat-out hates us. Can’t say I blame him either.

Austin licks cheese off his thumb, his face scrunching up in thought. “Living here would do him some good.”

Nathan snorts. “Pretty sure you alone scared him off.”

I let out a laugh, shaking my head, but my attention shifts when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, my eyes narrowing as I scroll through a sea of missed texts from a handful of girls—Sophia, Tara, Lana. Endless names light up my screen.

Then I spot the newest message, from Cassie, some girl I met at the bar last night—thanks to the guys dragging me out of my room.

Cassie:

What do you say we grab that drink later tonight?

I exhale a frustrated breath, rubbing my hand down my face. Cassie’s cool, I guess. Last night, she made it pretty clear she’d be down for a quick hook-up. It’d be easy. So fucking easy . I could just send a quick ‘yes,’ and she’d be in my bed by the end of the night. No strings, no complications.

But of course, my stupid brain doesn’t go down the easy route. Instead, it travels right back to the one girl who’s off-limits.

Isabella is cool as hell, funny, smart, with a smile that makes me forget everything around me. And not to mention, she’s absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. Those brown curls, those deep brown eyes that have me completely hooked.

But fuck, I don’t want a relationship. I’ve never had one. Never wanted one.

And Isabella is not the type of girl you can just hook up with and pretend nothing happened afterward.

Besides, I couldn’t do that to Nathan. He’s one of the best guys I know.

And I know, without a doubt, if I had a sister, I wouldn’t want any of these idiots dating her.

Another text from Cassie pops up on my screen, her address blinking at me. I let out a groan, running a hand over my face.

Just fucking do it .

Just… get her out of your system. Move the fuck on with someone else.

“What’s wrong?” Austin asks, his voice muffled as he shovels more cheese into his mouth.

“Please, for the love of God, chew before you speak,” Nathan replies, shaking his head.

Austin ignores him, still staring at me, intrigued. “Who you texting?”

I shove my phone into my pocket, wishing the damn thing would just stop buzzing. “No one.”

Austin’s brows shoot up, a wide grin spreading across his face. “Uh oh. He’s hiding something.”

I shoot him a glare, my jaw tightening. “Can you stay out of my business, please?”

But of course, Austin doesn’t listen. He jumps off the counter, that grin still plastered on his face. “Come on, who is it?” he presses, his eyes bright with curiosity. I stay silent, but he keeps pushing. His grin falters, then grows again as he puts it together. “Wait… Is it?—”

“No,” I snap, my voice firm. The last thing I need is Austin dragging this out. He hasn’t let it go since he saw me talking to Isabella at the rink. I thought he’d drop it, but of course, he hasn’t.

His mouth doesn’t know when to shut up.

Nathan looks at me, brow furrowed. “Who’s he talking about?”

“No one,” I snap, rubbing my temples. “Can you just let it go, Jesus.” I exhale, running a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the tension building up inside me. “It’s like I’m talking to a bunch of ten-year-olds.”

Nathan chuckles, but then his face scrunches up as he groans, squeezing his eyes shut. “Speaking of ten-year-olds… I need a favor.”

I snort. “Listen, I love you, but I’m not babysitting your cousin or some shit.”

“No babysitting required,” he says with an eye roll. “I just need help carrying my sister’s stuff to her dorm. My mom called me out for not helping her, and I got an earful.”

Austin snickers from the kitchen. “Aw, you a mamma’s boy, Hayes?”

Nathan flips him off, but his eyes stay locked on me. “Will you help me out?”

I raise an eyebrow. “Now?”

He shakes his head. “No, not right now. I’m gonna grab a shower. But maybe around five? If you’re free to help then?”

I should probably say no. I should probably avoid her. If I don’t see her, I won’t think about how my hands felt on her hips, or how her lips were an inch from mine.

But then again… I kinda wanna see those brown curls and that smile again.

And I did tell her I’d be her guy if she ever needed help with anything. I’d be an asshole to go back on my word and let her down.

“Yeah,” I say, shrugging. “Sure.”

Austin’s smirk widens. “Oooh, you’re helping baby Hayes? I might tag along.”

“Get fucked,” Nathan mutters, shoving him in the chest.

Austin laughs it off, rubbing at his chest. “Fine, fine. I’ll stay here. Got some studying to do, or whatever.” He sighs dramatically. “Take pictures for me, Ryan,” he adds with a wink.

As I said… his mouth never knows when to shut up.

Nathan, however, doesn’t seem amused. He throws me a glare, clearly not thrilled at the idea of Austin joking about me and his sister.

“Chill,” I mutter, shaking my head. “Austin was just kidding.”

Nathan grunts. “Better be.”

He keeps glaring, and Austin just keeps grinning.

“Trust me,” I say, forcing a chuckle. “I have no interest in your sister, alright?” You dirty little liar. “Besides,” I shrug, hoping he buys the bullshit spilling out of my mouth. “I’ve got a date tonight.”

Nathan’s brows shoot up in surprise. “You do?”

Austin echoes, voice dripping with skepticism. “You do?”

“Yeah,” I lie. “Some girl I met last night at the bar.”

There’s a beat of silence before Austin whistles loudly, then whoops, smacking me on the arm. “Bout fucking time.”

Nathan shakes his head, chuckling under his breath. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure we’re done by then, so you won’t be late to your date. Lord knows you need it.”

I hate them all.

Before I can fire back, the sound of pounding footsteps echoes from downstairs, and Logan comes barreling in, shirtless and only in boxers. “Who’s got a date?”

Oh, for the love of God.

“Jesus. Put some fucking clothes on,” Nathan mutters, narrowing his eyes at him.

Logan just smirks, wagging his eyebrows. “Turning you on, am I?” he teases.

Nathan rolls his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. “You’re an idiot, Gray.”

Logan laughs, tossing him a wink. “Keep talking dirty to me, and I might just take that as an invitation.” His eyes flick to Austin. “Now tell me who the hell has a date.”

Austin lazily gestures toward me, his smirk widening.

Logan’s eyes snap back to me, and his mouth practically drops open. “Reed’s got a date? Fuck yeah! About time he got rid of his dry spell.”

“That’s what I’m saying,” Austin agrees.

I roll my eyes, throwing my hands up. “Jesus Christ. I’m surrounded by children.” I grunt, rubbing a hand down my face. “I’m out of here.” I grab my gym bag, sling it over my shoulder, and head upstairs.

The second I close my bedroom door, I strip off my clothes and toss them onto the floor. I make a beeline for the shower, turning the water to full blast. The hot spray hits me, and I close my eyes, letting it ripple over my skin as I inhale deeply.

Thoughts of Isabella start flooding my mind.

I barely got a chance to talk to her at the café last week, since her brother was there, which pretty much put a damper on anything real happening, but I really like talking to her.

I can’t even remember the last time I enjoyed talking to a girl like I do her.

Usually, all girls want to talk about is either hockey, my brother, or—let’s be real—an invitation into their bed.

But with Isabella? It feels different. No hidden agendas. She’s not interested in dating hockey players, and I’m not looking for a relationship, so we’re basically on the same page. There’s no pressure, just two people talking and actually getting to know each other.

Except… she’s off-limits.

I let out a frustrated groan, splashing water onto my face, trying to wash away the tension in my head.

What the fuck am I doing?

I need to stop thinking about Isabella. This whole thing is probably just a side effect of not getting laid for way too long. Maybe my brain’s just making up some weird obsession to fill the void.

Yeah, that’s what it is. Just a weird delusion.