Rules of the Game (Rule Breaker, #2)

by Jessa Wilder

Me: I can see you look at these, so I just wanted you to know that Lucas and I are finally together and I’m so happy. I wish I could tell you all about it.

“You knew how much I needed you. How bad it got, and you didn’t come back.”

“You’ll come help me get Piper back?” My head snapped back in surprise. Jax smirked and handed me my phone. “Of course I will. You two are fucking meant for each other. Now, chill the fuck out.”

“I love you, Piper. I’ll just change and be out in a minute.” I didn’t give a single fuck about hockey. The coach could kick me off the team if he wanted to. All that mattered was that Piper and I were okay. “Are you kidding me?” She gestured to herself. “I’m all decked out to see you win this game. Don’t let me down, Knight.”

I searched her face, and a lightness filled my chest. This girl was perfect for me. I brought my mouth close to the glass and huffed out hot air until a section the size of my head was fogged over, then drew a heart with a P + L in it.

“Go kick their asses, then take me home.” It was like she breathed life back into me, and adrenaline built inside my veins. I skated backward toward the bench and said, “This one’s for you, baby.”

“Get your fucking hands off her,” he growled, and I was pretty sure the only thing stopping him from attacking this guy was the glass between us.

“You okay, babe—” A player slammed into Lucas from behind, driving his head directly into the glass. It snapped back with the impact, and my heart stopped as his eyes glossed over and he collapsed in front of me. The force of my pulse came back with a vengeance, pounding in my ears with each second that Lucas didn’t move.

“Get up. Get up. Please get up.” I chanted it over and over again, but he didn’t move. My eyes burned, and my ribs felt like they cut into my lungs when the medics got to him and he didn’t respond when they flashed light into his eyes. “Please, Lucas.”

No, no, no, no. This couldn’t be happening. I just got him back. I sucked in a wet breath and begged him to stay with me, but my words were lost to him.

“I’m coming with you.” The medic raised a brow. “I’m sorry, miss, but only immediate family can come in the ambulance.” “I said. I’m. Coming. With. You.” I growled out each word.

Before I could step forward, I was hauled off my feet and pressed against a solid chest. “We’ll go right to the hospital, Pips,” Jax said in my ear, and my heart rate started to calm. I turned in his arms and met his wet eyes. “He has to be okay, right? He has to be.” I buried my face into his shirt, and he tightened his arms around me. He must have ripped off his clothes to be in his hoodie and joggers already. “He’s going to be fine. Just another day for a hockey player.” He tried to make a joke, but we’d both been around the sport long enough to know that a blow to the head had serious consequences.

“What happened? The last thing I remember was some asshole pushing you. “ I collapsed back in my chair, letting out a breath. “You were hit from behind and slammed into the boards. Lucas, you scared the crap out of me.” My chin wobbled, and Lucas interlaced our fingers. “You’re here,” Lucas said, eyes still searching mine, and tears spilled over my cheeks as a sob escaped my chest. “Are you kidding me? Don’t you ever do that to me again.” He ignored my words, cupping my cheek and brushing my tears away with his thumb. “I thought you were done fighting for me. You have every reason to be. But you’re here. Fuck, I’m so sorry, Piper. I should’ve told you.”