Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 276

BONUS CHAPTER

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BONUS CHAPTER

VERONICA’S POV

“Come on, Mason, it’s just ten minutes,” I beg, tugging at his shirt.

His eyes stay glued to his phone, and I have no doubt he’s busy sexting one of his many fan girls- girls I still don’t understand, because what exactly do they see in him? He’s notorious, a bully half the time, and generally insufferable.

Even now, he can’t spare me ten minutes.

I tug harder.

He finally looks up, irritation written all over his face.

“You said ten minutes last time,” he snaps. “And what happened? You made us sit there and pick dresses for you.”

He tries to shrug me off, but I hold on tighter.

“Go away.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” I protest. “And I’ll tell Dad you were behind that very mysterious debit from his card. Let’s see what he says.”

This time, he actually shoves me off and fair, I might’ve gone too far. I’ve used that against him one too many times and he’s probably over it.

“Go ahead,” he says flatly. “And I’ll shave your hair while you sleep. You’ll be the first sophomore on campus with a bald head.”

Justin’s laugh cuts in before he even steps into the room, his shoulders shaking as he walks over.

“Hey, cut her some slack,” he says, coming up beside Mason. “She’ll be done in five minutes.”

I press my lips together and bat my lashes at Justin when he looks at me. He always takes my side and honestly, everyone does. Everyone except Mason, sometimes.

Perks of being the only girl among four brothers.

Well… two of them are technically my cousins, but I grew up with them. I know every version of them there is, and depending on the day, I’m closer to them than I am to my actual brothers, Hudson and Mason.

“I swear, if she asks us to help her pick a dress again, I’m done,” Mason grumbles as Justin steers him toward my room, where I’ve officially called this meeting.

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Mason swears he hates my interruptions, but last time he was the one trying to force everyone to agree with the dresses he picked for me. He was so engrossed in the whole thing.

When I walk into my room, Hudson and Harry are already on my bed, waiting. I kind of wish Mason

were a little more like Hudson-calm, patient, and actually capable of being gentle.

I shut the door and move to stand in front of them, clearing my throat.

“Thank you all for coming,” I begin.

“Get to the point,” Mason cuts in.

Justin smacks him on the back of the head for me, and I give him a small thumbs-up before

continuing.

“I’ve called this meeting because, as my brothers, it’s only right to inform you before I make any

major life decisions.” I take a breath. “I’m about to turn twenty. I just finished my freshman year,

and I think I’m ready to step into the next phase of my life.”

All four of them stare back at me, their faces completely blank and leaving no hint, or reaction on

whether they understand what I mean. Which means I have to keep going.

“With all that being said,” I continue, lifting my chin slightly, “I would like to officially announce that I, Veronica Cooper, named after my grandmother and beloved by all in this family and beyond, will be

getting a boyfriend.”

Silence.

Mason finally looks up from his phone. Hudson’s jaw tightens. Harry blinks like he didn’t hear me properly, and even Justin looks… stunned.

I bite the inside of my cheek.

This pause? It never means anything good. It means they’re about to lose their minds.

Right on cue, Hudson inhales sharply.

“Absolutely not.” All four of them say it at the same time.

They’re already on their feet, moving toward the door, and I dart forward, planting myself in front of

“Nope. Nobody’s leaving,” I protest.

Hudson steps forward first with a half angry, half disappointed expression. “You’re not getting a

boyfriend.”

“And the crazy part is we’re not even

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reacting the way we should. So consider this your lucky day, step aside and never bring this up

again.”

I stare at them, blinking once.

“Never bring it up again?” I repeat slowly. “Are you people actually insane?”

“No,” Hudson says flatly. “You are, for thinking this is happening.”

I throw my hands up. “I’m turning twenty! I just finished my freshman year. Do you know how old

Mum was when she started dating?”

“That-” Mason starts.

“She was in college!” I cut in, already on a roll. “Both of them. Mum met Dad. Same with aunt and

uncle. What if I miss mine? What if he’s out there right now and I’m just sitting here losing time because the four of you have all decided to act like prison wardens?”

Harry snorts under his breath.

“I’ve thought about this,” I continue. “Like properly thought about it. Pros, cons, emotional

readiness, time management….everything. This is a well-researched decision.”

Mason fixes me with a look. “You are not finding love in Cadston. Times have changed and we

know better.”

“Oh, you know better?” I shoot back.

“Yes,” he counters. “Also, Mum was smart. And their mum-” he jerks his head toward Justin and

Harry, “-was crazy.”

“Hey!” Justin cuts in immediately. “Who are you calling crazy?”

Hudson backs him up. “It’s the truth.”

Justin looks personally betrayed.

“And you,” Mason continues, pointing at me, “are neither. So this isn’t happening.”

My nose flares and I clench my fist, shaking with rage.

Then, without a word, I step aside and pull the door open.

“Fine,” I say. “You should all go.”

They hesitate.

I fold my arms across my chest. “You hate me. I hate you too.”

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“Veronica-” Justin starts.

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“No,” I cut in sharply. “Mason, you who failed your SAT, is calling me dumb? I had a perfect score.”

Mason shrugs, completely unbothered as he walks past me. “You’re not street smart. Different

thing.”

“Oh, fuck off,” I snap.

They start filing out, still muttering under their breaths, and just as they get a few steps down the

hallway, I raise my voice.

“I’m going to date the hottest guy in Cadston!”

They all stop.

Slowly, like very slowly, they turn back to face me.

I lift my chin. “Maybe one of Mason’s hockey asshole friends. Or I can do graduates and older men

like Hudson’s friends. I’ve heard basketball players are sweet.”

Hudson’s ear starts to turn red but I’m way past getting scared of their reaction.

“I’ll date them in secret.” I add. “None of you will know when and how it happened. Which it will.

Because you can’t stop me.”

For exactly three seconds, none of them respond.

Then they start rushing towards me at the same time.

Before they reach me, I slam the door in their faces and lock it.

“Veronica!” Hudson bangs on the door. “Open this door.”

“Don’t you dare,” Mason adds, his voice sharper now.

I raise my voice over them, grinning. “I’m making a list! Every guy I find hot, I’m going to date them.

And kiss them.”

“VERONICA-”

The banging continues for another minute and then gradually, reluctantly, it stops. I can hear them muttering in the hall. Then footsteps retreating.

I stand there for another moment, just to be sure. Then I roll my eyes and walk away from the door.

God, they’re exhausting. My brothers are actually the most annoying people on this earth. Possibly in documented history. They are suffocating and irrational and very annoying.

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4.6

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I flop onto my bed, staring up at the ceiling.

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They still treat me like I’m ten-the little girl they used to carry around, bribe with sweets, and

threaten anyone who looked at me too long in my direction. It’s ridiculous. I’m grown. Most of my

friends are dating, and I haven’t even had my first kiss.

I almost did once.

Tyler Benson, dark hair, nice hands, high school parking lot. It was literally happening until Harry,

who’s not even my real brother, appeared out of nowhere like some kind of overprotective ghost

and sent the guy away.

After that, it was over.

Word spread. Warnings were issued. No one came near me again.

At this rate, I’m going to die single at eighty and they’ll still be guarding my hospital room.

And the worst part?

They date. They hook up. They live their lives like normal human beings.

So why can’t I?

I sit up, grab my laptop, and pull up my notes app.

If they think this is over, they don’t know me at all.

I start typing.

List of Potential Boyfriends.

I pause, then smirk slightly as I add the first target beneath it: Mason’s captain.

Maya Scot