Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 140

BRAYDON’S POV

I’m sprawled on the couch, watching TV, when Mason suddenly jumps right in front of the screen and my heart nearly leaps out of my ribcage.

“Jesus! You trying to give me a heart attack?” I clutch my chest. My eyes drop to his outfit, and I groan. “What… on earth… are you wearing?”

He completely ignores me, inching closer. “Dad, can you take us with you to your next game?

From the corner of my eye, I catch Hudson and Veronica tiptoeing out like tiny spies. These kids… I swear.

I shake my head. “No. I will not be taking you anywhere. And shouldn’t you all be in bed?”

“Mum extended our bedtime to nine so we can read,” Veronica explains.

I squint at her. “I don’t see you reading.”

“Dad, pleeease,” Hudson pleads, stepping to the front and clasping his hands together. “We’ll be on our best behavior. Pinky promise…scout’s honor.”

I shake my head. “It’s an away game. I’m not hauling all three of you through that airport like last time.”

“But we’ll be good!” Mason pipes up, his eyes wide as he looks up at me.

I turn to him, narrowing my eyes. “You know… I’d take everybody but you.”

He crosses his arms immediately. “What?!”

“Remember what you did last time?” I ask. “Have you forgotten?”

“I’m sorry.” He mumbles, pouting.

I scoff, leaning against the sofa. If only it were that easy to erase my embarrassment from that day. We literally got to the airport and he acted like he didn’t even know me, calling for his daddy to come get him and laughing. And the looks people gave me… like I was some kind of kidnapper. I still can’t get over it.

“Anyway, I’m not taking anybody,” I declare, straightening up. “Now… go to bed.”

Instead of bolting, Hudson gently nudges Veronica. She glances at him, then slowly walks over, stopping a few feet away. Oh my God. These kids… do they think they’ve found the cheat code?

Within seconds, Veronica’s eyes fill with tears, and she pouts. “Daddy… please… take us with you.”

I blink. Why am I suddenly feeling so mushy? I can’t believe I’m even considering it. Maybe they did figure out the cheat code. I mean… how am I supposed to say no to a mini version of my wife with her same gray eyes, looking up at me like that? How?

But no. I’ve got to stand my ground. I’m tired of being the easy parent. These kids don’t take me seriously at all.

“The answer is no.”

She places her hand on my arm, and I practically crumple inside. Even my intestines are screaming at me to say yes already.

“Daddy… we’ve been good,” she whimpers, her eyes shimmering. “We ate all our vegetables, did our homework and chores. Please… pretty please.”

I almost cave. I really almost cave. But then I fall back on my last line of defense. “I would take you,” I say, crossing my arms, “but Mum said no flying.” I tilt my chin proudly. “Mum will scold me.”

“But… you’re dad,” she counters.

And she has a point. My brain freezes. What am I even supposed to say next?

“What’s going on over there?”

I spin around to see Katy standing at the bottom of the stairs. I nearly sigh in relief or spread my arms toward her to beg for rescue. I may be a parent, but she’s parent premium so she’s not as easy to swindle as me. Because let’s be honest, all these kids do is swindle me.

The moment they see their mum, Veronica’s tears vanish like magic. Hudson and Mason straighten immediately, trying to look serious. The three of them exchange quick glances, as if silently agreeing that Operation Dad Manipulation is scrapped.

“What are you three up to?” Katy presses.

“We were asking Dad to take us to his next game,” Mason admits.

She advances a little, her eyes narrowing. “His next game is in New York, so none of you are going anywhere.”

“But Mum, you promised to let us fly with Dad if we’re on our best behavior,” Hudson argues, crossing his arms.

“Yes, I did,” She replies. “But none of you have even finished your book of the week.”

Veronica and Hudson immediately point fingers at Mason in perfect unison. “He hasn’t!” they say at the same time. “But we have!”

Mason, despite being the culprit, is fighting a grin and I can’t help but sigh.

I like to think Veronica is a lot like Katy-sharp, clever, and knows how to play the rules. Hudson… well, he’s more like me. But Mason… I have no idea. I wasn’t this troublesome as a kid, not at home, or in school. I’m sure my memories aren’t deceiving me but back in college, I was clear-headed, level-headed… and nowhere near this much of a menace.

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