Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 267

Epilogue 2

ALLISON’S POV

止

= A

Katy and I trudge into the living room and collapse onto the couch, and I groan as loudly as I can. When people said senior year was going to be stressful, I thought they were exaggerating. Hell, I didn’t believe Justin and Braydon when they warned me, but now it’s painfully clear I should’ve cut them some slack.

“Is that food I smell?” Katy asks, slowly lifting her head, and sniffing the air.

That’s when my own–senses catch up and I realize I can smell pasta.

I jolt upright instantly, already halfway off the couch, and ready to make a break for the kitchen, when Justin walks out of the room wearing his legendary cooking apron.

“Baby!” I groan, waving a hand at him as he appears.

He just smiles like he was expecting my reaction, and crosses the room in a few easy steps, lifting me straight off my feet.

I cling to him immediately, locking my arms around his neck as he pulls me in, and rubs his hand slowly on my back. I bury my face in the side of his neck, letting out a tired, relieved sigh.

When he finally sets me back down, I tilt my head up to look at him. “I thought you said you’d be back late.”

He sighs. “Interview didn’t work out so I just lost the vibe.”

I press my lips together, reaching out to lightly pat his chin.

“You should just stay here and chill,” I say. “I mean, it’s only been a few weeks since-”

“A month and two weeks,” he corrects immediately. “I’ve been chilling for that long.”

I huff a small breath. “I don’t think that’s bad. You’re kind of putting too much pressure on yourself.”

His expression changes immediately and his jaw clenches like he already knows where this is going. He hates when I say things like that but it’s still the truth to me.

Because I remember last year too clearly. I remember the hospital and almost losing him because he was convinced he wasn’t enough without hockey.

I swallow, my hand still resting against him.

“It’s not too late,” I add. “For them to reach out or anyone. You don’t have to-”

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He exhales, shaking his head before I finish.

+25 Points

“Al, most guys are signed already,” he mutters. “Andersen’s worried. It’s basically just me left at this

point.”

Something tightens in my chest, because I hate how defeated he sounds.

The scout that reached out earlier? Ghosted. Apparently, he never even told Coach why Justin hasn’t gotten another call, but everyone kind of knows anyway.

“I made pasta,” Justin says suddenly. He steps back and glances at Katy. “You both look tired.”

Katy rolls her eyes immediately. “You finally realized I’m here and alive, and not a freaking couch. pillow.”

“You always snap at me like I sent Cooper away to Montreal,” he shoots back. “Get your ass off and grab a plate to eat. You look sick.”

Katy flips him off as he turns, and I immediately reach over to smack her finger down.

She scrunches her nose at me, and I shake my head, already walking off toward my room to change.

I’m halfway out of my jeans when Justin follows me in, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, still in the apron.

“I think you’ve lost some weight,” he says, his eyes scanning me over. “I should feed you more.”

“I’m trying to get rid of my lower pouch,” I reply, pulling a hoodie over my head, my voice muffled as it comes through the fabric. “If you keep feeding me, I’m going to become shapeless.”

“You’ll never be shapeless.” He quickly counters.

I pause, then pop my head through the hoodie, narrowing my eyes at him. “You’re just saying that because I’m your girlfriend.”

He narrows his eyes at me, as if he’s about to argue when his phone buzzes on the dresser again.

We both look at it at the same time.

With a sigh, he pushes off the doorframe and walks over, picking it up.

I watch his face carefully as he glances at the screen and his expression changes.

“Who is it?” I ask, even though the way he’s holding the phone tells me enough.

“Andersen.” He sets it back down.

Justin hates nothing more than seeing his agent’s name on his screen. It ticks him off and it

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< Epilogue 2

+25 Points

doesn’t help that Andersen keeps bringing up signing talks and potential opportunities. I know it’s his job, but it’s been wearing on him lately. Everything about it feels like pressure he can’t fully step away from.

“Where’s the “The phone starts ringing again.

We both look at it, then at each other.

“Justin,” I say.

“I’ll call him back.”

“Hey.” I cross the room before he can overthink it, placing my hand over his where it rests on the phone. “I know you’re scared of what he might say. I get it. But ignoring him isn’t going to change whatever’s happening.” I squeeze his fingers gently. “Take the call.”

He looks at the screen for a long moment. The ringing stops, and for a second I think he’s going to let it go to voicemail again. Then it starts up once more, and his jaw ticks.

He picks it up.

“Hey, Andersen.” He turns slightly toward the window. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m here.”

I take a quiet step back to give him space, settling onto the edge of the bed and watching him carefully.

A few seconds pass, then he goes completely still.

“What?” His voice shifts instantly.

I sit up straighter.

“What do you mean they-” He cuts himself off, his free hand coming out of his pocket and going to the back of his neck. “Andersen, that’s… that’s impossible. They already signed their-”

He pauses again, longer this time.

“Of course, I’m in Boston,” he finally chokes out.

My heart stutters hard in my chest, and I don’t even realize I’ve stood up until my legs are already moving. There’s only one kind of call that makes Justin sound like that, and I’m already praying I’m guessing right.

“When did they-” He turns slightly, and I catch his wide eyes. “And they asked for me specifically? You’re not just… okay. Okay, I hear you.”

He drags a hand through his hair, a short, disbelieving laugh slipping out as he shakes his head. Send me everything. I’ll go through them.”

”

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Epilogue 2

He listens for a second longer, then hangs up.

+25 Points

I want to reach out to him, but he just stands there for a moment with his back still turned to me,

phone hanging loosely at his side.

“Justin,” I say carefully. “Are you okay?”

He turns around slowly.

“Bruins called Andersen,” he reveals.

My breath catches.

“They’ve got an opening for a second–line center and need depth fast,” he continues. “They want

to bring me in.”

I stare at him, throat tightening so suddenly it hurts to swallow.

“Bruins?” I repeat.

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