Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 42

BRAYDON’S POV

Three minutes into the game, the Ridgeway Hawks’ goalie let Mason’s slapshot slip clean. through the five-hole like he’d fallen asleep at the stick or something. After that, it all went downhill for them.

By the end of the first period, they’d stacked up a pile of weak penalties because of tripping, slashing, spearing, and even one for too many men on the ice. I guess counting wasn’t part of their warm-up routine.

When the second period kicked off, our bench was buzzing. The Hawks, though, looked like they were skating through quicksand.

Luke ripped a backhand that clanged off the boards and ricocheted into the corner. One of their defensemen, Evan, got to it first, but froze up and I drifted back toward the net, waiting. Our other winger came charging, and Evan panicked and threw a sloppy pass across the ice that went wide.

Bad call.

I read it clean, snatched the puck, and with one flick of my wrist…the red light flashed behind their goalie.

Perfect.

I grinned, pumping my fist as I skated to the bench, the crowd roaring loudly.

By the third period, the Hawks were spent. We kept the pressure on, and Mason buried another one on a power play. Martin iced it with an empty-netter in the final minute.

At the end of the game, the final score was 5-2.

The buzzer went off, and the crowd went wild. We’d done it.

I coasted toward the bench, grinning under my helmet as the guys banged their sticks against the boards.

“Nice play, Cap,” Mason said, slapping my shoulder pad with a grin. “That steal was clean.”

“You too.” I bumped his fist. “We showed them what the home team can do tonight.”

It was our second game this month, and so far this season, we hadn’t lost a single one. The team was clicking with everyone playing their part and backing each other up.

In the locker room, the air was thick with sweat, steam, and noise. Someone had music blasting from a speaker, jerseys were flying, and everyone was talking over each other.

“You made that dude look like he was still learning to skate,” Luca laughed, tugging off his jersey.

I dropped onto the bench, my chest still heaving, and hands trembling with leftover adrenaline.

“Guess that’s another one for the season,” I said, pulling off my helmet.

“Damn right,” Martin yelled, tossing me a water bottle. “No one’s taking it from us!”

The room erupted in whoops and fists banging on locker doors before everyone started talking over each other again. I gulped down my water, squeezed the bottle and tossed it into the trash with a smile.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m in good spirits today and I mean really good. And no, it’s not just because we won the game. I’m fucking elated for a whole different reason.

It’s got something to do with a certain girl and her reaction when she got that sss about her grant application.

You see,

the second that reminder popped up on her phone that day at the hospital, her whole face changed and she wouldn’t stop crying. When she said it wasn’t entirely about Allie, I figured she probably couldn’t submit her application because of money or something else.

And honestly, I don’t know why people keep calling me dumb when I can figure things like that out. Like, come on, I have brains. Hidden ones, maybe, but still.

And even though I don’t get some big reward for it like a trophy or medal, I’m excited. Because tonight, I finally get to tell her that I paid for it. I almost told her earlier, but it didn’t feel right.

But later, I’m gonna look her straight in the eye and tell her I did it because I cared. Because maybe I’m exactly the kind of guy she should fall for. Her exact type.

I can already picture it: her eyebrows shooting up, eyes wide and her asking how the hell I even got her sss. That look she gives when she’s half shocked, half impressed.

God. Katy Evans, what have you done to me? You’ve got me turning into some nerd who actually cares about this kind of stuff.

With a grin still tugging at my lips, I push off the bench and head to the showers to get this sweat off before I drive back to the hospital.

The best goals with their loud voices and I shake my head.

“Cap, we’re heading to James,” Luke says when he spots me, a stupid grin plastered across his face. “You coming, right?”

Normally, I would have said yes and even inquired if some buck bunnies were joining us. But I’ve got plans tonight. And if it goes well, I could get a kiss…or more, that’s if Katy’s down to getting nasty with me in a hospital. But hey, no pressure. I didn’t do it because of that but I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to fuck the shit out of Katy Evans.

“I’ve got plans,” I tell Luke, towel in hand as I dry my hair. “You guys have fun without me.”

That only makes them laugh harder.

Before I can get another word out, Coach barges inside.

“Alright, you guys were great out there!” he says, clapping his hands together. “But you can be better. Ridgeway Hawks is a Division II team, it should’ve been a mess out there.”

A few groans ripple around the room, followed by some eye-rolling and I bite back a laugh. Does this man ever get content? We could win the national championship, and he’d still start his next sentence with but.

And like he’s tuned into my thoughts, his eyes find me.

“Braydon,” he says,”I expected more from you. You can do better next time.”

I nod. “Got it, Coach.”

“Good.” He claps once more. “Now go blow off some steam. I know that’s what you college boys love to do best.”

That earns a round of laughter before he strides out, the door swinging shut behind him.

Taking the opportunity to dip before the guys start another round of teasing, I pull on my hoodie, grab my things, and head out with my duffel. The hallway outside is cooler, quieter, and it feels good to breathe real air again.

Reaching my car, I toss my duffel into the passenger seat, slide into the driver’s side, and pull out my phone.

I type out a quick text to Katy.

ME: Hey, Got something to tell you when I see you. On my way now.

I reread it twice before sending, trying not to smile like an idiot. The engine hums to life, and before I even shift into reverse, my phone buzzes.

PEACH: I thought you had a game tonight. Anyway, Allie’s mom booked me a hotel room because she’s worried I’m not getting enough sleep. It’s called Sedona Hotel, about ten minutes from the hospital.

I stare at her message for a second. A hotel, huh? Guess tonight’s plans just got a lot more interesting.