Page 43 of The Rule Breaker
Austin gasps, clutching his chest dramatically. “I’m a fucking catch, thank you very much.”
Ryan pinches the bridge of his nose. “Christ. I’m dealing with children. Just go home.”
They both saunter off and Ryan lets out a rough sigh, shaking his head. “Sorry about them. They need a fucking leash.”
I chuckle. “I work with you guys practically every day,” I remind him, lifting a shoulder in a shrug. “I’m used to them.”
Ryan scoffs. “Beats me, cause I’m not.” His lips twitch, but as our eyes lock, something shifts in his expression. “Back to what you said before we were interrupted by a couple of drunk idiots.” He tilts his head. “You’re not doing the rebound thing anymore, then?”
I kinda wish he’d forgotten about it because the alcohol is making me way too honest.
“I don’t know,” I admit with a sigh. “I wanted to move on from my ex, since he was the only guy I’ve ever been with, but?—”
His head jerks back slightly. “What?”
“I wanted to move on fr?—”
He shakes his head, cutting me off. “No, that wasn’t the part I was shocked by.”
A sheepish smile creeps onto my face. “I know it’s the complete opposite of whatyou’reused to, but…” I shrug. “I told you; guys are too scared to approach me, and Jacob was no different.”
Ryan scoffs, pressing a hand to his chest. “Hate his name already. I’m an Edward guy but continue.”
I let out a laugh, shaking my head. “My brother made it clear no one was allowed to touch me—protective big brother and all that crap.” I roll my eyes. “And guys listened. They stayed away… until Jacob. But, of course, he didn’t want my brother to know, so we kept it on the down low.”
I exhale, shutting my eyes for a second. “And after he dumped me, I couldn’t shake him, even though he never wanted anyone to know about us. I just…” I trail off, feeling that familiar ache.
Ryan stays quiet, watching me, his brows furrowed.
I exhale a laugh, shaking my head. “Aurora told me I needed to find myself and I agreed. I thought sleeping with someone else would help me move on.” My voice drops, my fingers absently toying with the hem of my dress. “I was hoping it would bebetterwith someone else.”
“Uh oh,” Ryan teases, cocking his head. “My man Jacob have problems in the bedroom?”
I let out a short laugh. “No, it wasn’t that. It was… good.” I pause, frowning slightly. “But I just… I don’t know. We did everything in secret. Bathrooms at parties, closets, his car. It was always rushed so no one would see us together.” I shake my head. “I guess I thought maybe it would be better if we didn’t have to rush, you know?”
Ryan nods, a hint of understanding in his eyes. “Definitely better when you don’t have to rush.”
I let out a breath, swaying a little, and I notice Ryan’s hands twitch like he’s ready to catch me if I tip over. “I thought things would be different when we got to college. That we’d finally have some time to ourselves. But then he dumped me before summer even hit.”
Ryan’s face hardens, his jaw tightening. “What’d he say?”
“Long-distance is too hard,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Which, okay, I get it. He wasn’t wrong, but I just… I don’t know. I felt like?—”
“Like you didn’t matter to him,” Ryan finishes, his voice quiet but sharp.
My breath catches, and I glance up at him, a little surprised by how easily he reads me.
I exhale sharply. “Yeah. I was so hurt by the breakup, but he seemed fine, like I was nothing.” I tilt my head, the alcohol making everything a little hazy. “Hence the whole ‘can’t sleep with someone unless I know them’ thing. I’ve only ever been with one guy, and he kept me a secret.” My shoulders slump. “You probably thing I’m an idiot.”
Ryan’s brows pinch together. “I think you’re gorgeous.”
My cheeks flush, but I laugh anyway, shaking my head. “I bet you can walk into a room, glance at a girl, and boom, decide she’s going home with you.”
Ryan chuckles, dragging a hand through his hair. “Is that what you think of me?”
“Come on.” I give him a dry look. “We’re friends, right? No need to lie to me. I know how guys your age are. You fuck anything that moves and don’t even bother learning their names.”
Ryan tuts, shaking his head. “Damn, Curls, you’re so fucking wrong.”
