Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 186

ALLISON’S POV

Celeste tilts her head, staring at me like I just said the dumbest thing in the world. “What?”

“Let me make it clearer,” I say, my voice tight. “Why did you rip my dress?”

She scoffs, then flicks her gaze to Justin, giving him a look like I’m being dramatic. Like I’m crazy.

Is this girl actually serious right now?

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she says flatly. “You shouldn’t just make things up, Allie.

It makes you look crazy.”

I bite the inside of my cheek, curling my fingers at my sides. The anger in my chest is hot, begging to explode but I force it down. Causing a scene right now would only give her what she wants.

Still, I step closer, jabbing a finger at her chest and she looks down at my hand like I’ve just contaminated her.

“I saw you,” I jab her shoulder. “You ran right after stepping on my dress. You weren’t fast enough, not even close.”

Justin moves up behind me, resting a hand on my back, and leaning in slightly. “Allison, let it go.”

“No.” I shake my head. “I’m done with her bullshit.”

“What bullshit?” Celeste snaps, her face twisting into a scowl. She jabs a finger toward Justin. “Are you doing this for his attention? Because this is the lowest you’ve ever gone.”

“You-”

“Don’t talk about her like that.” Justin cuts in, and both of us pause.

He steps fully beside me now, his gaze locked on Celeste. The edge in his tone makes her falter, her confidence slipping for the first time tonight. If I’m shocked, she’s downright stunned.

Guys usually avoid girl drama like the plague or at least, that’s what Sean always did. Anytime I needed him to step in, he’d brush it off, and say it wasn’t his business. So hearing Justin defend me so easily isn’t something I’m quite used to.

“Allison doesn’t make things up for attention,” he continues. “So the real question is, are you going to apologize for ripping her dress?”

Celeste’s mouth opens, then closes again, like she’s glitching and I don’t even bother hiding my smirk. So much for her something with Justin. Whatever she thought they had, it clearly doesn’t measure up.

I tilt my head, folding my arms. “Go on.”

“Why are you taking her side?” she finally blurts. “She’s lying and I can’t-”

“There you are!” Aaron’s voice echoes as he strides toward us, a wide grin on his face. “Time for dinner, people. I’m starving.”

He stops beside Celeste, his eyes flicking between us before settling on me. “You’re with me, tonight. Lead actress privilege.”

“Me?” I ask, instinctively glancing at Justin.

Somehow, his arm has tightened around my waist, his jaw clenched, and eyes dark as he stares Aaron down. And suddenly, it hits me. I’ve seen this look before. So many times.

Whenever Sean showed up around me even when we were dating, whenever a guy got too close, whenever Justin snapped at me and I thought I’d done something wrong. He always had this expression on his face.

He wasn’t being annoying. I always thought he was just broody and rude. No, he was actually jealous and possessive.

The realization knocks air out of my lungs, heat rushing to my face as I stare at him.

“Allie?” Aaron’s voice pulls me back. I blink, and steal one last glance at Justin before turning to him. “Did you hear anything I just said?”

“Um… I’m cool with anything,” I say, then gesture at Justin. “He’s with me tonight, so—”

“I’m not.” He starts to turn away but I catch his hand before he can.

“Come on, Aaron’s just my VP.” I cling to him, my fingers curling into his jacket as heat rushes to my cheeks. “You don’t actually think I’ve got something with him, do you?”

When he looks at me, his gaze is dark, and then he’s pulling me in, his mouth crashing onto mine before I can even gasp.

I stiffen for half a second, suddenly aware of the hallway, of the possibility that someone might see us but his hand slides up, warm and firm around my neck, his thumb pressing gently beneath my jaw as he deepens the kiss.

I melt instantly.

My eyes fall shut and my body leans into his. He nips softly at my bottom lip, just enough to make my breath hitch, before pulling back. Our foreheads rest together, his breathing heavy, and his nose brushing mine.

His finger traces my swollen lips, sending sparks all over me. “I know we’re in a situationship or whatever people like to call it, Allison.” He swallows, his throat bobbing. “But it has to be just me.”

His thumb presses lightly into my jaw possessively “Just me, bean.”

Shivers race down my spine at the raw emotion in his voice and the unmistakable possession in his eyes. My knees wobble, every coherent thought slipping away as my lips part and I stay uselessly silent.

“Say it,” he demands, his words brushing against my mouth.

“It’s just you,” I whisper, leaning into him. “Just you.”

His gaze holds mine for a long second before he finally straightens, threading his fingers through mine.

“Good,” he says. “Let’s go crash this dinner.”

I smile, letting him pull me along. As we walk, something warm spreads through my chest. It’s intense, almost like the feeling I had on my anniversary with Sean, the night I realized something was wrong between us.

But this time, there’s no fear or anger. I feel safe. I feel like a beautiful flower if that even makes sense.