Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 263

Chapter 0121

ALLISON’S POV

“And cut!” Director Wyatt’s voice cuts through the set and I hold still for a moment before breaking out of character, a deep exhale tearing out of me.

“Oooo, that was good!” Priya exclaims, and then starts clapping. “Someone get her water.”

The applause spreads through the rest of the cast and I don’t know where to look. I turn slowly on the spot, catching the lighting crew, the camera guys, everyone clapping, and heat climbs up my neck. I press my lips together, glance down at my shoes, and laugh under my breath, not entirely sure what to do with myself.

Today’s the last day of filming and I genuinely didn’t expect this. The past few weeks have been a lot: retakes until my voice gave out, lectures I barely stayed awake through, and Justin’s thesis on top of everything. I even developed an ulcer somewhere in the middle of it.

This is my first time doing anything like this. My very first. And standing here right now, I honestly don’t know how I would’ve made it without these people.

“That’s a wrap on Allison!” The assistant director’s voice booms through the megaphone and the cheers go up another level.

Someone presses a water bottle into my hand and I unscrew the cap, gulping the water down.

When I lower the bottle, Priya is already in front of me.

She pulls me in before I can say anything, her arms wrapped tight, and swaying us side to side. “You were so good,” she says, right into my hair. “Like, I kept forgetting you’re a rookie.”

“Stop.” But I’m smiling so hard my face hurts, because hearing it from her is different.

She pulls back and Anthony steps in next, wrapping his arms around me with a lot more restraint but no less warmth.

“Proud of you, Al.” He steps back, holding me by the shoulders for a second. “Gonna miss your crazy mess around here.”

“Thank you, Anthony.” I pause. “But I think I’ll miss your wife’s cooking more than I’ll miss you, though.”

He laughs and smacks my arm. “I’ll tell her she has a fan.”

I press my hands together. “Please do.”

He shakes his head, still smiling, and walks off.

Marcus comes after him. He plays the antagonist or second male lead, depending on how generous you’re feeling and he’s good. Like, unsettlingly good. He’s the oldest among the main cast but you’d never know it from how easy he is to be around and how he always cracks jokes between takes, always the first to diffuse a tense moment on set.

He grins when he reaches me, and instead of going straight for the hug, he cups my face first.

Then he pulls me in.

“You did good,” he says, close to my ear. “Really good.”

“Thanks, Marcus.” I reply.

He pinches my nose before I can dodge it.

“You better show up here whenever you get the chance,” he says, pointing at me. “Don’t run away just because you’re done with your scenes.”

“Director says I have to come in sometimes.” I scrunch my nose where he pinched it. “But why don’t I get paid extra for showing up?”

He snorts and slaps a hand over his mouth, his shoulders shaking. “Is money all you care about? Where’s the love for art, Als?”

“I got bills to pay.”

“Are those-” Director Wyatt’s voice carries from somewhere behind Marcus, and Marcus glances over his shoulder, then pats mine. “Do more romcoms. You’re a genius.”

And then he’s gone, slipping away just as Director Wyatt reaches me.

“Miss Carter.” He starts and his voice is softer than usual. He alternates between Allison and Miss Carter and I’ve figured out by now that Miss Carter means he’s in a good mood. “It’s been a wonderful experience working with you,” he says. “Sandra did me a good one, finding you.”

“Don’t you think you should celebrate every milestone, regardless of how small?” I ask. “Not everyone gets five minutes in a movie. It’s a relatively small production, yeah, but we got to do something cool. Plus you got to meet me, which I personally think is the greatest blessing.”

He scoffs but I catch the smile trying to break through before he kills it.

Deon has been a lot over these past several weeks. He’s been sending little digs at me, making condescending comments, and belittling me in a way that’s easy to brush off in the moment and only really stings later. But I’m not carrying any of that out of here. I want to close this chapter clean and with good energy going out the same way good energy came in. It worked before. The campaign ended well and that ending is what opened this door.

Deon turns to face me, his bag over his shoulder. “For your information, you’re really annoying.” He holds up a finger. “Secondly, I don’t think you’re better than me at acting but I’m just giving you the crown for now.” He adds another finger. “And lastly, I really hated hearing you talk about your boyfriend every five seconds. I’m single and that stuff is genuinely irritating.”

“So in conclusion,” I c**k an eyebrow, “you’ve been jealous of me this whole time.”

He looks away with a grunt.

“Now I see.” I step closer and point at him. “On a normal day, I would’ve called you a dickhead. But I’m in a good mood, so I’ll treat you to lunch.” His eyes widen slightly before I add. “My boyfriend’s coming, though.”

His smile drops off his face and I press my lips together to stop my laughter, watching him shake his head.

“Fine.” He sighs. “But I’m picking the restaurant. You clearly have terrible taste.’

“Oh really?” I blink at him. “How’d you figure that out?”

“Fairly obvious.” He turns and starts leading the way out. “It just radiates off you.”

“Maybe that’s why we were never friends.” I fall into step behind him. “And yet my poor taste still got me flowers and you got nothing.”

“Those flowers look like a funeral arrangement. Suits you and your insane hair.”

“Hey-”

He speeds up, chuckling, and I have to jog to catch him.