Page 21 of Changing Rules

Instinctively, I flinch. Then I immediately curse myself for my reaction. I can’t let her dictate the rules of this game.

Xander guides me to the table near the window where his sister is waiting and releases me so he can kiss her cheek. “Hey.”

She grins up at him, but when she turns to me, her expression drops. “Hello, Isabella.”

“Hi.” I keep my focus fixed on her face, doing my best to convey confidence. “How are you?”

“I’m fine. Much better now that Ryan has more free time. We’ve been busy getting the new house ready for the baby.” She rubs her belly absentmindedly. From what Xander has said, she’s due at the end of September.

He pulls out the chair across from Audrey and gestures for me to sit, then takes the one between us.

“Happy to hear that.”

“What about you?” Audrey looks from me to Xander.

“Everything’s good,” he replies easily, picking up the menu. “What have you been up to?”

“Nothing, really. I miss my friends in Miami, but I’m adjusting. I had a life there, a happy one.” With a one-shoulder shrug, Audrey picks up her glass. “But things are getting better already. Jess and I try to meet for lunch or dinner a few times a week. Ryan has a more regular schedule here than he had in Miami. Plus, our parents are here, andyou.”

“And me,” he repeats after her.

The server, a young guy with a buzz cut and a nice smile, appears. His gaze drifts to Xander every few seconds as we order, his neck reddening.

Eventually, he clears his throat and clutches his order pad. “Last season was incredible, man!Youwere incredible! Winning the Super Bowl your first season with the Warriors? It was everything the city wanted, and more. You’re the best!”

A grin tugs at the corners of Xander’s mouth. “Thank you. Your support means more than you know. We’re nothing without our fans.”

“Of course, sir.” The young guy nods, his cheeks turning an adorable shade of pink. “Well, I better go get these orders in. Your food will be out real soon.”

As the server turns on his heel and scurries away from the table, I lock eyes with Xander. The way his gaze glimmers with joy makes my heart so full.

I hated Jake’s popularity, all the attention he got, all the nosy people and paparazzi, but with Xander, I appreciate it. I love when people admire him, probably because he’s always humble and gracious about it. I enjoy reading articles about him and his success on the field. I don’t mind the paparazzi, and I don’t care about the comments on social media. I am his, and he is mine. The rest doesn’t mean a thing.

An hour into dinner,I find I’m actually enjoying myself. Audrey is being kind—no backhanded compliments or subtle jabs. Instead, she cracks jokes and tells us stories about her life in Miami. Hopefully, it will stay like this.

“You mentioned you wanted to tell me something.” Xander leans back, a glass of whiskey in his hand.

“Yeah, I did.” Audrey straightens in her seat, her eyes sparkling. “My baby shower is in four weeks.”

With a hum, he dips his chin. “I remember.”

“I thought about organizing it myself, but I want everything to be perfect, so I decided to hire a professional.”

“Are you hiring Ben?” He takes a sip of his drink.

“Who?” She frowns.

I shift in my seat. My stomach dips, and not in a good way. I’m a hundred percent sure she knows who Ben is.

“Bella’s cousin. He has his own event company; Bella works for him. You know that.”

Audrey waves a dismissive hand. “So you’re saying I should hire him because I’d be doing your girlfriend a favor?”

My mood plummets as the tension around us does the opposite, skyrocketing until it’s so dense it’s hard to breathe.

“I want the best of the best. I’ve already made a choice, and I’m thrilled with it. In all honesty,” she says, her focus fixed solely on her brother, her expression imperious, “I think you’ll be happy too once you see who I hired.”

“I’ll be happy if it’s Ben.” He squints. “I love the guy, and it would give you and Bella a chance to work together. She prepares commercial offers, orders decorations, music?—”

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