Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 131

BRAYDON’S POV

“What’s up with you?”

I turn to Justin lounging on the couch, his eyes narrowed like he’s trying to read my soul.

“What?” I ask.

He tosses a game pad at me and I catch it just before it hits the floor.

“You’ve been watching me play this by myself,” he says. “Unlike you.”

“I’m just tired,” I lie, glancing at my watch.

He frowns. “Tired… or horny?”

I roll my eyes, fighting a grin. “You can’t be serious.”

“Then what?”

I glance at him, then sigh. He’s got his own stuff to deal with, and I can’t bring myself to tell him why I’m in this mood.

“It’s nothing serious,” I say. “Just… trying to figure things out.”

“Because you leave in a month?” he presses, clearly not ready to drop it. “Already dreading long distance?”

That’s part of it, but not the main reason. I drag a hand over my face. “I just… I can’t decide which team…” I trail off, shaking my head. “I’ll figure it out.”

He groans and sits up, leaning toward me. “You know you can still talk to me about hockey, man. I’m not that sensitive.”

I bite my lip, hesitating. Part of me wants to shrug it off, but that wouldn’t be fair to him, or to myself.

“I… I can’t decide which team to go with,” I admit.

He raises an eyebrow. “Between Bruins and Rangers?”

“And… Montreal,” I add.

His eyes widen, and he leans closer. “Montreal?”

I scratch my forehead. “Yeah… I got the call a few days ago.”

He lifts both hands like he can’t comprehend it. “What’s there to think about? I mean… Coach would lose his mind if he heard this.”

I let out a slow breath and look away. That’s the problem. Everyone I’ve told thinks it’s the best news imaginable, and yeah it is but… it’s more complicated than that.

Yes, I got a call from Montreal Canadiens. The name alone carries weight. They’ve won twenty-six Stanley Cups. Twenty-six. And no other team has come close.

Getting a potential signing call from them is like… hitting the jackpot. It’s a dream and every hockey player wants it. Most will never get it and somehow, out of all the rookies this year,

I’m one of the few who did.

Silence hangs between us for a few seconds before he lifts his gaze. “So… what are you thinking? I mean, maybe it’s because I’d give anything to play for Montreal, but this kind of stuff is not something I can give up lightly.”

“Not even for Allie?” I ask.

He pauses, then exhales. “I would… but Allie’s been through so much with me. Honestly, I wouldn’t even be here if she had given up on me.”

“You don’t equate love with suffering or sacrifice,” I reply. “And Katy’s been through hell with me too. She almost got killed by my dad, but I’m not conflicted because I owe her anything. I just… I cannot do long distance. I can’t ask that of her. Besides, I’d die from heartache and sleeping alone at night.”

“You were sleeping alone before you met her,” he responds flatly.

“I’m talking about forever, smart ass,” I grind out.

He bobs his head, rubbing his knuckles with a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “So… what now?

I lie back, staring at the ceiling. “I don’t know. If I join Boston Bruins, she graduates in a year, and will have to leave Boston and move to New York. But if I join NY Rangers… a year goes by fast, and we’ll be together there.”

“Hmmmm,” he tuts, leaning back. “Seems like you already have an answer. But….Rangers aren’t doing so great right now.”

“It’s the only logical solution,” I reply, shaking my head. “Pendant’s in New York, and I want Katy to take over. Every damn thing points to Rangers: I’m just glad Blackhawks never called or it would’ve made this mess even worse.”

“You should talk to her about this,” Justin says, locking eyes with me. “I know you love her, but if you’re planning a life together, she needs to be part of this decision whether you’ve decided to compromise or not.”

Of course, I’ll have to tell Katy. But one thought gnaws at me like nothing else: what if she immediately reshapes her entire life for me? What if she ditches the business she’s dreamed about, the plans she’s worked toward every single day, just because I asked or even worse, just because she loves me enough to think she should?

And God, I can’t bear the thought of her looking back one day and questioning her choices. Wondering if she could’ve gone further, built more, become more, if she hadn’t followed me instead. I don’t think I’d ever forgive myself for that. It would crush me.