Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 165

ALLISON’S POV

There are far worse things that have happened to me than David showing up here and Mom playing matchmaker, so I did my best not to lose it.

For a whole hour, he managed to brag about everything he could think of, and I just… sat there. Why? Well, his dad is buying me a new car.

And beggars… beggars don’t get to have choices.

Still, I can’t get the look on Justin’s face out of my head. He looked livid, and I could feel that possessiveness in him, ready to act. Before we… you know, hooked up, I don’t think I ever noticed it in two whole years. But now? I feel it every time I’m in a room with him.

And that’s exactly why I have to stay away. I have to pretend that night never happened or I’ll make terrible mistakes.

The door slides open, and for a split second I think it’s Mom, probably coming back now that David’s gone. But it’s not. It’s Justin.

He steps in slowly, his expression neutral and I can’t tell what’s going on in his mind.

He stops by my bed, his hands shoved deep in his pockets. “He’s finally gone?”

I nod. “Yeah. Said he has some urgent things to do but I’m getting upgraded, so that’s a win.”

He bobs his head, though veins are popping along his neck. “Good. He did… good.”

I smirk, leaning back slightly. “Do you really mean that? You look like you’re dying to say something else but trying to be a gentleman instead.”

“Really?” He settles onto the bed and takes my hand. My eyes flick to the door, just to make sure no one’s watching or approaching. “If I admit I couldn’t stand him… and I feel bad for not doing more for you like upgrading your room or getting you a new car, what would you do?”

I chuckle. “Justin, his dad is a freaking millionaire. You have zero reason to feel bad just because he threw a few thousand at a car for me.”

He tilts his head, eyes searching mine. “So… you do care how I feel?”

I roll my eyes, tugging my hand slightly. “You wish. I’m just trying not to bruise your ego.”

His expression doesn’t change, and for a few seconds, we just sit there in silence. Then, slowly, he reaches out and places his hand gently at the side of my neck. My heart skips, pounding in my chest. He leans in, and I know I’m supposed to stop him, push him away but my eyes won’t leave his lips. I close my eyes, holding my breath, and anticipating the kiss.

“What are you doing?”

I snap my eyes open to find him staring at me, an amused glint in his expression. My body jerks back instinctively, and I push him away, cheeks burning.

“I… um, why would you even try that?” I snap. “Anyone could’ve walked in!”

“So… you do want to kiss me in private,” he says, his smirk widening like he’s won some invisible game.

A groan slips out of me, part frustration, part disbelief, mostly at how obnoxious he is and how clearly he’s toying with me.

Maybe most people who get into accidents like me usually get this weird, euphoric high and that’s why I almost kissed him just now. I’m never doing it on a regular day, so he just missed his chance.

“I need to rest,” I say, biting back a hiss as he sits there like a rock. “Just… please leave.”

“You’ll likely be discharged in about a week, so I want to make a few things clear.” He starts, and I lift my eyebrows. What exactly is he trying to clear?

“No matter what happens, I’m not backing off, Allison. You can scream at me, yell at me, cuss me out, even do some really ridiculous things. I’m not staying away from you, and it has nothing to do with us getting into a relationship. I just want you to let me care for you.”

I blink once and then again. Our eyes stay locked, his words looping in my head like they’re stuck there. No one’s ever said that to me before. I’ve never had anyone volunteer to take care of me.

Why is he doing this?

“I don’t know why you just said that,” I say, lifting my chin. “Some context would be nice.”

“There’s no context,” he replies. Then, after a beat, “And there’s a lot of it.” He gets to his feet. “I just want you to know I’m always gonna be around.”

I grimace. “Do you know how creepy that sounds? Always around doing what, exactly?” I shift against the pillows. “And if this is about stopping me from having fun or your idea that you have some control over me, you should know something…crippling me wouldn’t even work. I’m thatdetermined.”

A single tear slips down my cheek. I’m not much of a crier, not really, but she always pushes me. Her words grind my heart into a thousand pieces, tearing at something inside me, and no matter

how hard I try, the tears come. Always.

“You thought it was too early for me to date,” I say, my voice tight, “but you’ve recommended David to me more times than I can count. And even if I made mistakes, does that mean you stop loving me? That you just… turn your back on me? Have you never made mistakes in your life?”

“It has nothing to do with love,” she counters. “I still love you. But I won’t treat you like a wrapped present when you haven’t earned it.”

My chest aches.

“And no,” she continues, “I rarely make mistakes because I think before I act. I don’t do reckless things and regret them later.”

She leans back slightly, like this is all very simple. “If I didn’t love you as my child, I would have given up on you a long time ago. But even today, because of me, you have a new car. You’re in this room because of me.”

She looks around, gesturing vaguely at the space. “That’s love, Allison.”

I scoff, leaning back against the bed and wiping at my face. My eyes lock on hers, and she stares back at me.

“All you care about is money, fancy things, what people think of you, and suffocating standards you can’t even meet yourself,” I snap, my voice shaking with anger. “If you were really so perfect, Dad wouldn’t have cheated on you.”

Her lips part in shock but I continue. “Yeah, he wouldn’t have bought that woman a house, and you got so green with envy that you’ve been trying to copy her for years. You even got so much botox your face can barely move.”

“Allison!” She jumps to her feet, her chest heaving as her glare pins me in place. “How… how dare you?”

I lift my chin, letting a small, bitter smile slip. “I never point out your flaws, do I? Guess I’ll start doing that from today.” My voice cracks with anger. “Maybe then you’ll understand what it feels like to have someone constantly breathe down your neck, to make you feel worthless over and over in the name of love. I’m not a purse you can treat nicely depending on the brand or the price. I’m a human being. And I need you to stop watering me down.”

I don’t wait for her reply. I turn toward the wall, tears slipping freely down my cheeks.