Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 169

JUSTIN’S POV

“Alright, listen up, boys.”

The chatter in the locker room dies down as every head snaps toward me.

“Yo, J!”

“You back, man?”

“What’s got you trippin’?”

Questions fly at me from all directions. Some of them look at me like I’ve lost my damn mind which, honestly, maybe I have. Considering I’m lugging around a stack of tickets for Allison.

Love makes you do crazy stuff. And yeah, this is peak crazy. Never in my life did I think I’d be hustling tickets for someone else but here I am, and damn it, I’m not backing out.

My teammates have never made fun of me before but today, that’s about to change. I can already feel it.

“Are you supposed to be here?” Luke asks, smirking like a child. “Thought you got booted.”

“Three games, asswipe. Not the team,” I respond.

“Too bad, someone already filled your spot,” he says, still grinning. “What’s that you’re holding?”

I wave the tickets in front of him. “Drama club mid-semester play. Tickets, lots of ’em.”

Martin scrunches his nose, shutting his locker. “That’s… a lot. Thinking about switching teams or something?”

A chorus of laughter erupts, but I don’t even smile. My teammates know that look means business and they get serious fast.

This time, it works as usual.

“So, what’s the deal with the tickets?” Jude asks, leaning against the locker.

I step closer, holding them up. “You guys buy them. Twenty bucks each, simple as that.”

They exchange glances, Luke still acting up. “I can’t speak for everyone, but plays aren’t really my thing. Don’t even know half the stuff they do.”

“I don’t need you all to actually watch it,” I hold up the tickets. “I need you to buy them and sign up for the drama club newsletter. Use Allison’s name in the referral box.”

Instantly, the vibe in the room changes. A couple of them snicker in the back, Luke losing the fight to hold in his laughter, and Martin… well, Martin’s eyes are literally everywhere except on me.

Backstabbers.

“I don’t want to see teeth in this room.” I snap, slamming my hand against a locker, but it’s useless. They’re clutching their stomachs, mouths wide open, and laughing like idiots at me. Yeah, I knew this would happen and I still accepted these damn tickets. God help me if I actually sell all of them and Allison tries to play me.

I glare at each of them, one by one, forcing their faces back into some semblance of seriousness. What’s so funny? Need something to cry about?”

Luke shakes his head. “We get it, J. Women… they make you do some crazy stuff. Trust me, after I stole 600 bucks for some girl I met one night, I don’t underestimate their power to lead men astray.

His words are followed by more laughter, and honestly, maybe I deserve it. I probably should have asked for 200 tickets instead of 300. What was I thinking?

“Alright,” I mutter, trying again. “Take these tickets off my hands. I don’t have all day.”

There’s at least twenty-five of them in the room after my headcount, and, surprisingly, they actually cooperate this time.

Luke even tries to buy two, saying he’s being generous, but I shake my head. “Not gonna work, man. It’s the sign-up that counts, not just buying the tickets and both have to match.”

“Who’s Allison?” I overhear Des, one of the freshmen, whispering, and I stride over.

“Have you signed up?” I ask, crossing my arms.

He nods.

“Show me.”

He fumbles with his phone, but yeah, it’s done. I pat his shoulder, nod to the others, and make sure everyone else’s sign-ups check out.

“Alright, you’re all good. Now, fuck off.” I turn on my heel and head for the door.

Just as I reach it, I hear Martin whisper to Des, “Allie’s his sister’s friend and J does anything for his sister.”

They think I’m doing this for Katy. Good thing they don’t know half of it.

When I walk into Ivy Cafe, I’ve already sold fifty tickets. Fifty. But it’s not exactly impressive when you consider Allison has a rival breathing down her heck and the clock is ticking for me.

I can’t exactly crawl around campus at night trying to sell these things. Not possible.

The first table I spot with a big group looks like an easy target. I take two steps forward, ready to work my magic, when I notice someone already there, handing out tickets. She must’ve felt my stare, because she turns and shockingly, it’s Celeste.

Wait… she’s the one trying to snatch Allison’s role? Honestly, I’ve seen desperate sides of her before so this isn’t even that surprising.

She closes the distance between us, flashing that flirty smile, her short black hair brushing her shoulders. “Justin, what are you doing here?”

“So you’re the one going after Allison’s role,” I say, cutting straight to it.

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