Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 209

Chapter 69

ALLISON’S POV

+25 Points

Saying goodbye to Justin isn’t the hard part of my day. The hard part is sneaking back into my dorm

without waking Katy or Braydon but especially Katy. I close the main door as quietly as I can, tiptoeing down the hall, every creak of the floor sending a jolt of panic through me.

I’m almost at my room when the door next to mine opens, and Katy steps out.

Her eyes lock on me, frozen like a deer caught in headlights and she tilts her head slightly.

Busted.

I swear I did my best.

I flash her a smile and wave. “Hey, bestie.”

“Don’t hey me,” she snaps, closing the gap between us. “Where have you been?”

Last time we had this conversation, I’d accidentally blurted out Sunjit… and there’s no way I’m telling her about Justin yet, not without our plan or him here.

“I was, like, literally running away from hearing you and Braydon humping each other,” I say, and sure enough, her face heats up. It’s her classic weakness.

“Fair enough,” she mutters, bulldozing past me. I grin to myself, happy she’s too embarrassed to scold me.

“Want tea?”

I’m very full but I still accept her offer. “Sure.”

Taking a moment for myself, I slip into my room and shut the door, leaning against it and letting out a small sigh. That was too close, but I managed to bluff my way through. And now… I can’t wait to tell her about Justin. Even if she ends up hating me for a few weeks, at least I won’t feel like a thief or like I feel right now, sneaky and guilty.

I trudge to my bed, collapsing onto it and staring at the ceiling. A slow smile creeps across my face as I hug myself. Justin’s face pops into my mind, and I can’t believe we are actually official now. I can’t believe everything that happened last night wasn’t some made up fantasy in my head. No matter how many times I replay it in my mind, it still feels surreal or maybe I just need to brag to someone…someone like Jessy for

it to be real.

I sit up, fishing my phone out from under the sheets. It’s almost dead, and my notifications are piling up, some from Aaron, wanting us to meet tomorrow to talk about a new play. As I start clearing them, my eyes

land on a few from Black, and I let out a tired sigh.

He’s exhausting me at this point, but at least it doesn’t look like he’s asking Justin for money again. Still, I should probably check Justin’s phone to be sure… and maybe confess a little about what I’ve been up to in

secret.

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<Chapter 69

+25 Points

I shoot Jessy a quick text, then stare at my mom’s contact for longer than I should before exhaling and

typing her a message, too. Justin’s right, I owe her an apology for storming out that day, and sometimes, I can be the bigger person.

When I finish, I toss the phone aside and step out into the kitchen. Katy’s already with a cup of tea in hand

and gestures to mine on the counter.

This would literally be the perfect moment to tell her I had the best night of my entire life, like, top five

moments of my existence, possibly number one, I’m not even being dramatic.

But there is absolutely no way I am telling her that it was her brother. Her brother. Who had my legs over

his shoulders. While he….nope. No. We are not finishing that sentence. That sentence is dead. I killed it. It

never existed. I don’t even know what a sentence is.

“Allison, are you listening to me?”

I lift my head, and Beth is staring at me with a disapproving expression. I quickly close my phone. Justin

can wait.

“I’m sorry,” I say, forcing my focus. “Please, go on.”

She shakes her head, flipping the folder in front of her. “As I was saying, I think you should take acting seriously. You’ve mentioned before that it’s your true passion, but you’re not pursuing it as a career. I really

think you should reconsider.”

I exhale. Beth’s our acting professor and someone who’s earned every ounce of authority to sit here and

tell me this. Supposedly, I’m meant to feel thrilled that she sees a future for me beyond Cadston’s small

stage. But realistically? That kind of path feels impossible without anyone rooting for me and I don’t think

I’m ready to risk it all.

“My parents… they don’t really support the idea,” I admit. “I’ve always loved acting, always… but I feel like I’d be completely alone if I actually pursued it as a career. And what if it doesn’t work out? What if I’m just … mediocre, and the only thing I’m actually capable of is some boring nine-to-five?”

Beth gives me a small, encouraging smile. “What makes you think it won’t work out? There are people far less talented than you who make it to Hollywood. You have something special, Allie and I don’t want you to let doubt hold you back.”

I take a deep breath, leaning back in my chair and my gaze wanders around the room for a second. “I appreciate your advice, really… I do. And I know you believe in me, but it’s just not that simple.” I pick up my purse, my fingers fidgeting with the zipper. “I… I’m supposed to meet my boyfriend now. Can I go?”

She hesitates before nodding.

“Thank you,” I say, rising to my feet and gathering my things. Just as I reach the door, her voice stops me.

“Your parents won’t be making decisions for you forever,” she says. “Acting is a legitimate profession,

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< Chapter 69

+25 Points

I giggle as he starts leading me toward a doorway at the back which I assume leads to the showers, and

I’m right.

“These are the showers,” he says, pointing at the doors. “Don’t be deceived, it’s the dirtiest place in this

whole room.”

He’s already pulling me forward before I can respond, and we nearly stumble over some equipment lying on the floor.

“Show me your stall,” I ask, grinning. “I bet everything’s color-coded and perfectly arranged.”

He shoots me a funny look. “You find that part of me amusing, don’t you?”

“I think it’s cute,” I reply. “Justin, the big guy, the rough-ass hockey player likes to organize his things neatly. Do your teammates know?”

“Guess they do,” he shrugs, then leads me to the front of his locker. He gestures to it with a mock-grand

flourish. “Here lies the treasure.”

I chuckle as he opens it, and yep, just like I imagined. His skates, gloves, helmet, and a bunch of other gear

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