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.”

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