Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 191

ALLISON’S POV

The door opens and Justin walks in, dropping his bag on the couch. He drags a hand down his face, then looks at me with his head tilted slightly, and his expression unreadable.

“What happened? You look fine to me.”

My lips part, but nothing comes out. I swallow hard my throat tight. I’ve been waiting for him for hours, telling myself that once he walks in, I’d feel better. That I’d calm down.

I know he had a game tonight, I know he’s tired. But that’s not what’s making my chest ache. He’s upset with me and I can feel it.

I wipe the corner of my eyes and force out a shaky smile. “Sorry for bothering you. I…I’ll just go.”

He doesn’t stop me and that hurts more than I expect.

I walk past him and by the time I reach the door, my vision is already blurring. I pull it open and step into the hallway, tears finally spilling over.

God, I hate this about myself.

No wonder people get tired of me. I always end up ruining things, ruining moods, ruining moments and-

“Allison.” Justin’s voice echoes from behind me, loud enough to make me freeze mid-step.

My hand tightens around the strap of my purse but don’t turn around, stuck between wanting to bolt and wanting to fall apart right in front of him.

He’s probably just calling me back out of guilt or pity. And the thought of that hurts even more.

Still standing in the middle of the hallway, I feel his hand land on my shoulder, and my body goes rigid. Slowly, he turns me around until I’m facing him, our eyes locking.

“Don’t go.” He says.

I bite the inside of my lip, fighting back a fresh wave of tears, then swipe at the one that slips free anyway. “It’s fine. I can handle-”

He doesn’t let me finish. His arms wrap around me, pulling me in, and the fight drains right out of me. I sink into his chest, breathing him in, and God, hate how much I need this. How much I need him.

There’s always that one person you run to when everything feels too heavy, when the world is closing in and you’re seconds from breaking. The one person who makes it feel survivable.

Somehow, Justin has become that person for me.

My fingers clutch the back of his hoodie, holding on tighter. I don’t want to let go, not when I’m still scared he’s upset with me, or that this comfort has an expiration time.

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs, his fingers brushing slowly over the back of my head. “I’m really sorry.”

I pull back just enough to look up at him, shaking my head. “You didn’t do anything.”

His jaw tightens like he doesn’t buy it, and he exhales through his nose. “Come on.”

He takes my hand and guides me back inside, settling me onto the couch before dropping beside me. His eyes scan my face, then trail down my body like he’s making sure I’m in one piece.

“What happened?” he asks quietly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Tell me.”

I sniff, dragging in a shaky breath. “I… kind of overreacted.”

“You always do that,” he replies like it’s a fact. “That’s just you. But someone must’ve done something… or you wouldn’t have waited hours for me or called.”

“It was Josh,” I admit. “And Sean’s friends.”

His fingers tighten on my thigh, curling into a fist, and I see his nose flare. “What did they do?”

“I was at Greeze bar with a friend, and they just… came in and started making these gestures,” I explain, my hands fidgeting. “I know it sounds stupid, but I couldn’t ignore it. I bolted out of there like something was chasing me and didn’t stop until I drove here. I just… I couldn’t handle them.”

He sighs, his eyes fixed on mine, and for some reason, I feel smaller than I have in years… like a kid again. Slowly, he lifts a hand and rests it under my chin, tilting my face up and his gaze softens.” What am I going to do with you?”

“I… I don’t know,” my voice comes out shaky. “I don’t know what to do with myself. All of them have seen those photos, and I… I can’t-”

“You don’t think you can stand up to them,” he finishes for me, nodding slowly. “I get it, Allison. I really do.”

I blink rapidly, trying to stop the tears. “So… what am I supposed to do? Just… let them run over me? It wasn’t even my fault they saw those photos. I didn’t…didn’t do anything to deserve this.”

“Cry if you need to.” Justin rubs my chin. “Allison… don’t bottle it up. I know you want to cry, so just … let it out.”

Like someone flipped a switch, the sob breaks free I bury my face in my palms, my shoulders trembling as the tears fall. My throat burns, my chest aches, and all I can do is let it out. Sean, his friends… it all feels like it’s pressing down on me. I lift my face, gasping for air, trying to inhale enough to keep going.

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