Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 122

BRAYDON’S POV

“Yeah… I think that’ll be great,” I say, gripping my phone a little too tight.

“I’ll be in touch, Mr. Cooper.”

“Thank you. I’ll be waiting.”

The line goes dead, and for a few seconds, I just sit there, staring at my screen like it’s some kind of joke.

Did the Boston Bruins scout really just call me? They want me? My hands run through my hair, probably messing it up worse than it already is, just to make sure I’m not dreaming.

And here I am, parked in front of a café, about to grab coffee.

On a completely ordinary Tuesday.

I let out a low laugh, shake my head, and push open the car door. God, I can’t believe this sometimes. I’ve wanted the Chicago Blackhawks to call for forever, but this… this is one hell of a good news.

Inside the café, I barely notice the noise around me: people chatting, coffee machines hissing…I don’t hear any of it. All I can think about is his voice, looping over and over in my head. I almost stop mid-step to grab my phone and call Katy, but I’m going to see her in a few minutes anyway. She deserves to hear it in person and I just know she’s going to freak.

There’s a small line at the counter, and I slide in, glancing at my wristwatch. Waiting in line isn’t exactly my favorite pastime, but here we are. Barely three minutes in, someone nudges me from the side.

“Is that you, big guy?” Stacy grins, leaning in toward me.

“I’ve told you to drop the nickname,” I mutter, keeping my eyes on the counter so she knows I’m not in the mood to chat.

“What?” She shifts closer. “Still grumpy? I thought absence makes the heart fonder or whatever.”

I don’t answer.

“Are you seriously going to ignore me the whole time?” she presses.

“Exactly what I’m doing,” I tell her. “Don’t make it awkward for the people in line.”

She stops talking but I can feel her shooting daggers at the back of my head. Not that I care. I’ve got cupcakes and coffee to grab, and then I need to spend time with Katy before she gets sucked into her reading. It’s the last exam of the semester, and she’s been hell-bent on avoiding last-paper panic. Meanwhile, I’ve been riding that panic wave since the exam started.

Bless her heart.

It’s my turn on the line, so I place my order for the cupcakes and coffee with the barista and head straight for a table. I should probably text Coach and the guys about the call, but I want Katy to hear it first. It’s this thing I do: good news always goes to her first. Always.

Someone plops into the seat across from me.

I lift my gaze to find Stacy smirking and a groan almost rips out of me. I can’t tell if she’s trying to get on my good side or just annoy me with that smile. It’s itchy.

“Do you still do parties?” she asks. “I know you’ve been all serious and there’s talk about you being a changed man for the past couple of weeks, but there’s got to be a little partying spirit in there somewhere.”

“There are, like, five empty tables in this cafe,” I say flatly.

She rolls her eyes. “First you block me, and now you won’t even talk to me in public.” She leans forward, her eyes glinting. “Is your girlfriend making you do that? Is she that insecure you’ll come back to me? Did she see the photos in your phone? That would be…” She gasps like it’s the end of the world. “Did you jerk off to them and she found out?”

I inhale sharply, and she leans back like she’s scored a point. Little does she know I’m just stopping myself from being a total asshole to her right now.

“You perceive yourself as a threat when no one even remembers you exist,” I say, scrolling my phone. “And no, Katy doesn’t make me do anything, that includes blocking you. Does that answer your question?”

She doesn’t quit. “If I invite you to my party on Saturday, would you come?”

I stare at her, unamused. She does realize this counts as harassment, right?

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Stacy, I’d like this conversation to be over.”

She folds her arms, grinning like she’s about to score another point. “Honestly, Braydon, didn’t you miss me even for-”

“No.” I cut her off, rising to my feet. “If you’re asking if I missed you even for a second…no. You never crossed my mind.”

I leave her by the table, grab my stuff from the counter, pay, and leave. I’m not just upset, I’m also irritated, like some annoying bug crawling across my arm.

As I slide into my car, a familiar sting of disappointment hits me. Every time I remember the dumb mistakes I used to make like hooking up with all those people, it’s nauseating. It’s one part of myself I really don’t want Katy to remember, and somehow, thinking about it makes me even more annoyed at Stacy for not leaving me alone.

I scan the library the second I walk in and spot Katy almost immediately. Of course I do. She’s hard to miss.

What is even harder to miss is the guy sitting at the same table as her. And he’s talking, smiling and looks way too comfortable.

It better be about fucking grades or I’m ripping him apart.

Katy notices me when I’m a few steps away and her smile widens.

“I was just about to text you,” she says.

Right. But she didn’t. Mr. Cheetos-for-hair here is clearly taking up that time.

I slowly turn my head toward him and he gives me a small, awkward wave.

“Hey, dude.”

“Hey, dude,” I reply.

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