Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 32

KATY’S POV!

No one tells you the cost of being popular until you actually are and then it hits you like a hangover you didn’t sign up for. Everyone wants a piece of you, and suddenly, you can’t even breathe without someone knowing.

Take me, for example. I’ve been avoiding Braydon since last night. It’s not like something tragic happened between us, but… let’s just say I lost control a little.

Yes, I kissed him. Because of Bryan. But somehow, it turned into something that had absolutely nothing to do with Bryan and everything to do with him. And now I can’t even look at him without replaying it in my head like some embarrassing movie trailer.

Still, because of the whole party buzz and people suddenly talking about me nonstop, Braydon somehow knows my every move.

HIM: Where are you? We need to talk.

ME: I’m busy.

HIM: Doing what?

ME: Something important.

A few minutes later, my phone buzzes again.

HIM: Sends a photo.

I open it and freeze. It’s me, sitting on a bench at the quad, mid–bite into my sandwich.

HIM: You don’t look that busy to me.

My head snaps up. I scan the area, but he’s nowhere in sight and my heart starts doing weird gymnastics. How did he get this photo?

Then like he’s reading my mind, another text pops up.

HIM: You’re so popular now. I can get a live update of your location anytime.

Great.

I grit my teeth and let out a long breath. This is infuriating. Braydon’s officially on my nerves and under my skin. I shove what’s left of my sandwich into my bag and take off before he somehow materializes out of thin air.

Thanks to him, I’m heading to debate practice earlier than usual. But maybe it’s a good thing because I can use the extra time to read up on the Blackrock Grant. Zhao Lan probably already has a full presentation and color–coded notes about it and I refuse to let him beat me just because I’ve been too distracted by Braydon.

As I round the corner to the debate hall…..

“I prefer Katy with Bryan.” a voice says.

I stop mid–step and ease back against the wall slowly, my heart thudding in my chest. Miley and Sam, both from the debate team, are standing by the notice board, talking like it’s national gossip hour.

“Yeah,” Sam says, flipping her hair. “She’s totally switched up since Braydon started showing interest. She used to be chill, now she’s just… everywhere.”

I swallow hard, heat rising to my neck. It’s one thing for random people to talk about me, but them?

That stings.

“I heard Bryan cheated on her,” Miley says, and my stomach drop’s so fast it almost hits the floor.

How the hell did they find out?

My brain flashes back to that stupid truth or dare at the party, and I groan quietly. Great. One game and now my life’s public property.

“Is that why she’s dating his brother?” Sam asks. “I didn’t think she was that crazy.”

“I know, right? Passing herself between two brothers is disgusting,” Miley says.

I flinch like she slapped me.

“Well, they’re stepbrothers,” Sam adds, lowering her voice a little,

“Still doesn’t change anything,” Miley replies. “And Braydon’s way worse than Bryan. She’ll make a fool out of herself soon.”

My hands curl into fists at my sides.

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