Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 206

Chapter 66

ALLISON’S POV

“When I’m angry, I take a deep breath to regulate my emotions.” I read from the pamphlet in my hand.

“Next.” Justin says.

He’s leaning against the wall beside his closet, arms folded across his chest. I don’t know if he’s fully aware of how annoyingly attractive he looks standing there like that, or if he’s just being his usual self while forcing me to do this stupid exercise.

“When I’m angry, I express my thoughts without an outburst or violence.” I groan, lifting the paper toward him and giving him a look. “Seriously, how is this supposed to help me? Anger is called anger for a reason.

This sucks.”

“You go off like a bomb when you’re pissed,” he replies, his face completely stoic.

I bet he’s enjoying this. And shameless me is putting up with it for the promised orgasm. Honestly, I’ve sunk so low that if I go any lower, I might as well start kissing the devil’s ass.

“Now,” he says, nodding toward the paper, “keep reading.”

I roll my eyes. “I can’t believe you’re trying to teach me anger management.”

One of his brows lifts slowly. “What did you say?”

I flash him a tight smile, scrunching my nose. “Nothing.”

I drop my gaze back to the pamphlet because, honestly, what choice do I have? Justin Evans, the biggest walking nuke I know, thinks I’m the one who explodes when I’m angry. Someone in this room definitely needs to look in a mirror, and it’s not me.

When I finally reach the end of the pamphlet, I happily toss it on his bed and he sends me a warning glare.

Lifting himself off the wall, he walks over, stopping right in front of me. I’m still sitting on the bed, which

makes him tower over me even more,

“So,” he says. “What did you learn?”

I take a deep breath and slowly let it out. “First, I shouldn’t have gone off on my mom like that. Second, I shouldn’t have stormed out, because doing things in rage doesn’t just ruin relationships, it can put people at risk. That taxi could’ve been hit by a truck or something and then boom. Goodbye, Allison. So tragic.”

His eyes narrow. “I have a feeling you’re treating this like a joke.”

“Me?” I point at myself. “What joke? I’m very serious about it.”

He just stares at me for a few seconds, looking every bit like a young college professor evaluating a disappointing student. And I swear I can practically see the wheels turning in his head, like he’s deciding how to punish me.

Chapter 66

Then he nods once. “I’ll let you off the hook tonight because you’re cute.”

I snort before I can stop myself, quickly covering my mouth when he shoots me a glare.

I clear my throat and tuck my hair behind my ears. “You always think I’m cute.”

+25 Points

“Because you are.” He walks over to his closet and pulls the door open. “Your mom actually picked some really nice clothes for you.”

My eyes light up. “Can I see them now?” I ask, leaning forward, and almost pouting at him.

He shrugs off his shirt and tosses it into the basket.

You know, Katy’s my best friend, but I have to admit Justin definitely got the better genes. I’ve probably run

my hands over his chest at least ten times before, but right now I kind of want to do it again.

“You like what you see?” he asks, turning to me with a smug little smirk.

Heat rushes to my face and I immediately grab the shopping bag beside the bed, burying my face in it like

that will somehow hide me.

“Gonna shower now,” he adds.

I nod, watching him from the corner of my eye as he disappears into the bathroom. The moment the door

closes, I let out a quiet breath of relief.

Then I shoot to my feet and start pulling things out of the bag which consists of very, very nice clothes.

I don’t even have to try them on to know they’ll look amazing. That’s one of my mom’s weird superpowers. She can spot good clothes from a mile away and God, I actually miss going shopping with her.

Sneaking a glance at the bathroom door, I slip out of my nightdress and quickly pull on a jumpsuit that fits me like a glove. I can’t believe Mom still knows my exact size and somehow managed to pick something

this nice.

I take it off a minute later and try on a dress next. I don’t even have my phone with me to see how it actually looks, and Justin’s mirror is in his bathroom, so I’m stuck relying on imagination and the way the fabric settles on my body.

Minutes pass and I’m still going through the bag. Somehow I can tell which pieces Justin bought and which ones came from my mom, but all of it is thoughtful.

And then the guilt hits me straight in the chest.

I slump down on the bed, my eyes drifting to Justin’s desk with things piled on top. He’s been having a brutal semester with Black constantly extorting him, yet he still does things like this for me.

My fingers twist together in my lap, my chest tightening. Can I even be happy about everything he got me?

Would that make me selfish? Inconsiderate?

With a sigh, I reach for the photography book he bought me and in the process, I accidentally knock two

< Chapter 66

books off his desk.

+25 Points)

I bend down to pick them up and as I’m about to close the cover of one hardcover notebook, something

on the page catches my attention.

My focus narrows.

Slowly, I spread the pages, my eyes racing over the lines, and a sudden jolt of disbelief makes them widen.

Did Justin write this? Well, it’s his handwriting.

My eyes run through the list once, then again, my heart racing harder the second time. Each line makes my hand tremble, my grip tightening around the book.

I barely notice him coming out of the bathroom until the book is ripped from my hands.

I look up sharply, my gaze locking with his and the room feels like it’s shrinking around us.

His hair is still wet, water still clinging to his shoulders, and the notebook clenched tightly in his hand.

“Why are you going through my stuff?” he asks, his voice tight as he avoids my eyes.

“When did you write that?”

He steps back, still clutching the book. “It’s personal.”

I rise to my feet. “It’s about me… the… entire list is about me.”

Finally, he meets my gaze, and for the first time, I catch fear in his eyes. “Are you… offended?”

My lips part, but no words come out. I swallow, opening and closing my mouth like a fish floundering for water before I manage to force out a single, shaky line. “How… how can I be offended?”

Relief softens his features. “I just…”

“Is that… is that what you’ve been doing all this time?” I cut in, my eyes welling up. “Everything on that list…

for me?”

He hesitates for a long beat, then slowly nods. “You wanted to find yourself again.”

I don’t even know what to say. For a long, stunned moment, I just stare at him, my mind tangling around the intentions behind every word on that page. I can’t stop imagining how much time, thought, and

dedication he poured into this for me.

Yes, he told me he’d help me find the old Allie. I thought he meant he’d just hold my hand while I cry or silence the thoughts in my head whenever he’s around.

My lips tremble. “Make Allison realize she’s perfect the way she is? Help Allison pick up photography again? Get her into serious acting gigs? Help her figure out her hobbies, what she actually loves…” I have to look away, biting down on my lip. “I… I mean… why, Justin? Why do you continuously go out of your way to do things like this for me?”

He steps closer, his gray eyes glossy. “Do I really have to spell it out?”

* Chapter 66

+25 Points

I shake my head, tears spilling freely now. “But why? I mean… there’s nothing I’ve done, nothing I’ve said…

why, Justin?”

“Must I have a reason to like you? To love you?” He asks. “Why do we have to define our relationship based on what you can do or can’t do for me? Can’t I just be content with the way you are… and focus on

making you happy?”

I choke out a laugh that quickly turns into a sob. “I’m not that smart,” I whisper. “My mom tells me that all the time. I’m messy… I’ve got, what… nothing going right for me.”

“None of that matters to me.” He closes the distance again, his eyes locked on mine. “I think you’re

you perfect. You’ve always been perfect.” He forces a small, rueful smile. “All I’ve ever wanted was for be happy. To be that carefree Allison who lives unapologetically for herself, never scared of what anyone thinks. That’s all that’s ever mattered to me. And in return… I just hoped you’d love me… and…”

“I love you.” I choke out and his breath stutters.

His eyes soften, clouded with a warmth I’ve never felt before. “You love me?”

“I… never thought I was good enough for you.” My lips quiver as the words spill out. “I was scared of admitting it, even to myself, because you’re so real… so good and I never imagined someone like you would be mine. I always felt like one day you’d see I’m not worth it, that I’m not enough, that I’m just… a mess and then you’d leave. You’re my safe bubble, Justin. I was terrified that if I let myself feel too much, I’d ruin everything… like I always do and….” I trail off, swallowing back sobs. “I really… I really do…”

I don’t get the chance to finish before he pulls me into his arms, and the dam inside me finally bursts. My shoulders shake violently as I cling to him, tears soaking into his bare chest.

“I love you, Allison,” he murmurs, burying his face in my hair. “I’ve always loved you.”

7

M

1.9K

Comments