Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 154

JUSTIN’S POV

“Get out of the way, man,” I lay on the horn as the idiot in front of me finally moves, flashing me his middle finger like he’s accomplished something.

These are the same kinds of people they let walk across a graduation stage like model citizens. But when I step in to defend my sister from her trash ex who wouldn’t leave her alone, suddenly I’m the problem. Suddenly, I’m slammed with a suspension from three games. They might as well have benched me for the whole season.

What really gets under my skin, though, is Katy being mad at me. Like I had a list of options and beating Bryan’s ass was the worst one. Everyone keeps saying the same thing…that I could’ve handled it differently. Yeah? How? With a complaint form? A calm conversation?

People love to call me violent, say I only know how to talk with my fists. Maybe I do. But most of the time, nobody listens until someone’s bleeding. That’s just how it works.

And if I see Bryan again, I swear I’ll chop him up like liver.

I pull into Greeze Bar parking lot and kill the engine. For a second, I just sit there, watching people drift in and out of the place. Since I’m benched for a while, I might as well get drunk and shut my brain off because if I don’t, I’ll start thinking about everything at once and Allison will be right at the center of it. That’s a quick way to lose my mind.

I shove the door open and head inside, my hands buried in my pockets. Barely ten feet in, my steps stall.

My pulse jumps as my eyes lock on a familiar blonde head perched on one of the tall stools at the counter, her shoulders slumped.

Is that Allison?

Slowly, I trudge toward the counter, and with every step, I realize it’s her. I could recognize that silhouette with my eyes closed. The question isn’t who anymore, it’s why. What is she doing here? Is she alone? Or did that mouth-breather drag her out?

I stop at the counter and risk a glance, only to be hit by the sight of her tears and something inside me crumbles. My eyes drop to the glass she’s clutching, and I watch her lift it and drain it in one go. I sweep the room quickly for Sean, then take a step closer to her.

“More, please,” she says, sliding the glass toward the bartender.

He pours another shot and pushes it back.

She reaches for it, and before she can lift it, I catch her wrist.

“Allison,” I say quietly.

She turns her head, eyes landing on me at last. “Let go.”

Despite her grip and struggle, I pry her fingers from around the glass and take it from her. You can’t be drinking here. Are you alone?”

For a few seconds, she doesn’t answer, her jaw ticking as she stares at her hand. Then she runs a hand through her hair and scoffs.

“I can’t even drink if I want,” she laughs bitterly. “I can’t be happy if I want. I can’t date someone decent if I want. So…what am I actually allowed to do?”

Did something happen with Sean? Did she confront him after our talk last night? Did they break up? And if they did… does she blame me for it?

I settle onto the stool beside her, careful not to crowd her, but still close enough. I reach out slightly, trying to catch her gaze. “What happened, Allison?”

She reaches for the glass again but I push it farther away and that’s when she finally turns to me. Her eyes are swollen, red, wrecked and my grip tightens around the glass without me realizing it.

“Why did it happen to me?” she whispers, her voice cracking. She blinks, tears spilling over. That’s the real question, Justin. Why would something like this happen to me?”

My heart can’t bring me to ask for details and I just want to stop seeing her like this.

“I bet the universe is laughing at me right now,” she cuts in. “Last night, I screamed at you about Sean deserving respect.” She shakes her head, letting out a bitter laugh. “And guess who didn’t get any respect from him? Guess who’s been played for two years? You can say I told you so now.”

So… she’s found out the truth.

I let out a slow sigh and place my hand over hers. “It’s not your fault.”

“But everyone knew.” She sobs. “Everyone knew he was bad… everyone but me.”

“Still…”

“I stupidly believed he was simple, that he was slow, but I could deal with all of that if he didn’t cheat.” She wipes at her tears, staring straight at me. “Why couldn’t I see it? Why am I so dumb?”

” I lick my dry lips. “Acting dumb and being dumb are two different things.”

“Really?” She snorts. “All I do is make a mess of myself. Nothing ever works for me.”

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