Page 144 of The Rule Breaker
Coach rubs his temples. “Fine. Just get it over with.”
Nathan’s already stepping up and before I realize what he’s doing, he lands a punch straight to my jaw. My head snaps back, and for a second, I forget where I am, everything goes blurry.
“Fuck,” I choke out, swallowing the sting. “I deserve that.”
Because if this is the price for being with her?
Then I’ll take every hit he’s got.
Nathan’s still standing there, breathing heavy. “Yeah, you fucking do. Messing around with my fucking sister?”
I force myself to meet his stare. “I told you, I’m not just messing around, here,” I tell him. “Have you seen me with anyone else this year?”
He lets out a sharp, bitter laugh. “Brandy.”
I shake my head, wiping the blood from my lip. “That was your sister.”
His brows pinch, confusion flickering behind the anger. “The toy in the bath?”
I drag a hand down my face, sighing. “You really don’t wanna know.”
His eyes narrow. “The panties in the locker room?”
I groan, looking up at the ceiling. “Just punch me again.”
Nathan steps forward, and for a split second, I brace myself, thinking maybe he’ll hit me like before. Instead, his knee slams hard into my balls.
The air gets knocked out of me, and my knees buckle.
“Fuck,” I wheeze, doubled over as my vision blurs.
“Alright, that’s enough,” Coach barks. “Both of you. Showers now.”
Nathan finally steps back and drops his stick onto the ice before he skates off.
I take a deep breath, trying not to pass out.
Because I want nothing more than to be with Isabella.
Even if I lose everything else in the process.
37
ISABELLA
Meeting the family usually comes with a handshake. Ryan got a busted lip.
I shouldn’t be here. Ryan told me not to come.
But when your boyfriend texts you ‘Don’t freak out, but your dad kinda found out. And your brother punched me’, staying at home isn’t an option.
I shove open the office door without knocking, my eyes immediately finding my boyfriend.
Ryan’s slouched in a chair, one ice pack pressed to his eye, another resting on his groin. His jersey halfway off, shoulder pads tossed beside him, blood dried at the corner of his mouth. He’s bruised and beaten—and still, somehow, manages to look hot. But my stomach twists at the sight.
Because this isn’t supposed to be happening.
I knew they’d be mad when they found out. I just didn’t think they’d take it this far.
