Page 151 of The Rule Breaker
He flinches. “Ow—What was that for?”
“Don’t encourage this,” she says.
Dad raises both hands in surrender. “Yes, dear.”
“Napkin,” she adds.
He obediently wipes his mouth. “Anything else while I’m at it? Want me to recite the national anthem?”
Mom smiles sweetly. “I’ve got a better use for your mouth.”
“Christ, mom,” Nathan groans.
I try not to gag at the flirtatious sparkle in her eye, but Dad’s already glancing at me again, his expression serious as he sets his knife down on the table.
“Listen, princess. You’ve got to understand… this isn’t just some random guy you started dating. He’s my player. Nathan’s teammate.”
Nathan crosses his arms. “Locker room’s a fucking mess.”
Dad nods. “And now I’ve got half the team thinking I play favorites.”
“Oh, please,” I scoff. “If anything, Ryan’s getting less playing time now.”
Nathan picks up his fork, mumbling, “Good.”
Mom sighs, pressing her hand to her forehead. “Can we all just eat before the chicken goes cold?”
I stare at them, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Why do you hate this so much? Do you really think I’m stupid and can’t make my own choices?”
Nathan doesn’t answer. He just clenches his jaw and shovels mashed potatoes into his mouth.
Dad shakes his head. “It’s not that we don’t think you can make your own choices.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
“It’s about making sure you’re taken care of. I’ve seen the way guys in hockey act. I don’t want that for you.”
Mom snorts. “If I remember correctly, you’d dated half of campus before you met me.”
Dad’s whole demeanor shifts. “That was different.”
She raises an eyebrow. “How?”
He pauses, then smiles. “Because I didn’t know what I was missing until I met you.”
I blink. “Did you guys just… flirt in the middle of this?”
Nathan groans, burying his head in his hands. “They do this all the time. I’m begging you. Make it stop.”
Mom shrugs, a smile curling on her lips. “Sorry, love. Marriage perk.”
I turn back to Dad. “Ifyoucould change when you met Mom, why is it so hard to believe Ryan changed when he met me?”
He watches me for a beat, then sighs. “He really makes you happy?”
“Yes.” I don’t even hesitate. “He treats me with respect. He listens. Which is more than I can say for the two of you rightnow.” I close my eyes for a second. “Look. I get that you’re protective. But I’m not twelve anymore.”
There’s a long pause, the kind where it feels like the whole table is holding its breath.
