Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 185

ALLISON’S POV

“You were insane,” Katy blurts, basically tackling me in a hug, her arms locked tight around my neck. “Like insane. That was straight out of… I don’t even know how to describe it.”

I laugh into her hair. “Relax. I was mid at best.”

She pulls back, frowning hard. “Don’t start. I recorded everything and you were unreal. The dress? Perfect.” She keeps talking, words crashing into each other, her hands flying everywhere. “People were literally sniffling around me, Allie.”

That makes me laugh again. “You’re exaggerating.”

“I’m not.” She pokes my forehead. “Just accept that you destroyed everyone emotionally and move I’m so, so proud of you.”
Something warm spreads in my chest at that and I smile, leaning into her..

She hugs me again, then pulls back and points at Braydon, who’s hovering awkwardly by the corner. “Come here,” she orders.

I start laughing because watching him instantly obey her is hilarious.

Braydon shuffles forward, a lazy smirk on his face. guess you were… kinda cool, Alls.”

I roll my eyes. “Wow. High praise. Let me guess, you slept through half of it.”

“I couldn’t help it,” he shrugs.

I snort, but Katy shoots him a sharp glare. For someone so brilliant, she’s incredibly bad at picking up his jokes.

“Allison…” Justin steps closer, still holding the bouquet I’d spotted earlier. “You were amazing.”

For some reason, Katy bursts into laughter, shaking her head. Braydon looks just as confused as I feel, but Justin? He already knows exactly why she’s laughing.

“Sorry,” she says, wiping the corner of her eyes, still giggling. “It’s just….seeing him with flowers is hilarious.”

“Every lead actress gets flowers after a great performance,” Justin cuts in. “What’s funny about that?”

“It’s just…” Katy waves her hand between him and the bouquet. “You don’t do stuff like this. It feels performative, like you’re acting out a role or something.”

I bite back a smile. Katy has a very specific image of Justin in her head: lazy, unserious, emotionally constipated and anything outside that glitches her system. I guess that’s what happens when you grow up with someone, you lock them into one version and refuse to update the software.

Or maybe she just can’t imagine a reality where Justin and I have crossed that invisible line. Which is exactly why she can never find out what’s actually going on between us. Because I like my life.

“Katy, you should be happy he even thought to get me something,” I say, taking the flowers from Justin with a smile. “The usual him would’ve shown up and slept through half the play.”

I sneak a glance at Justin. He just grins, shoving his hands into his pockets and leaning back against the wall like none of this affects him. He’s always this calm, this unbothered like nothing ever really gets to him. I used to find it annoying. Now? It’s stupidly attractive.

“You’re right, we should be grateful,” Katy admits. “He could have been worse.”

“I don’t like the stereotype I’m sensing here,” Justin finally says. “You’re both making me sound way cooler than I already am.”

Braydon snorts. “Katy would rather shave her head than admit you’re cool.” He arches a brow at her. “Am I lying?”

“My brother’s not that bad,” Katy mutters, then elbows him. “I’m obviously the cool one, but he’s trying.”

Even Braydon laughs, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep it in. Katy notices immediately, her eyes narrowing as she looks between us. “What’s with the looks and the laughing?”

“They’re laughing at you,” Justin says instantly. “They don’t think you’re cool so they’re laughing.”

“I’m literally not,” I add, pressing my lips together. “See, not laughing.”

Katy clearly doesn’t buy it. Her glare shifts to Braydon, who suddenly looks like he’s fighting for his

life.

“You guys are haters,” she mutters, rolling her eyes before turning back to me. “So, dinner with us? Or are you ditching again?”

I tilt my head toward Aaron, who’s pacing at the far end of backstage like a stressed parent. Unfortunately, drama club dinners are now mandatory. So yeah. I’m trapped.”

Her shoulders slump. “So no fun for me tonight.”

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