Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 53

KATY’S POV

This place is like hell. Yes, literally and figuratively.

The moment we step into 24:11, it feels like at least a hundred degrees or like we are crabs boiling in water. Someone blows smoke straight into my face as I pass, and I cough, clinging to Allie, who doesn’t seem to care about a single thing.

I suck in a shaky breath, my heart hammering. Just a few minutes ago, I was all set and determined to ruin Braydon’s night, and prove a point.

I didn’t even stop to think about how loud this place would be, how stuffy, or how much I would hate being here.

And don’t get me started on this dress. It’s so tight I feel like it’s squeezing my ribs together but it does wonders for my curves. My boobs are on display and my legs look longer than usual. Perfect, really, if the goal is to make every jock in the room notice me. Perfect if the goal is to make Braydon notice me.

And judging by the way heads are turning, it’s working. Eyes follow me and Allie like we just walked into a spotlight.

We inch closer to the corner where the video showed Justin and Braydon and my stomach twists. Still, I tilt my chin up and try to force a look of absolute confidence, like I own every inch of this hellhole. My lungs scream for air, my skin prickles from the heat, but I can’t let it show.

“Oh shit. More hotties are here!” someone bellows as a small group parts, letting us weave through.

“You look banging!” another voice calls out.

I tilt my head, flashing my flirtiest smile without breaking stride, then snap my gaze forward. I already spot Justin, leaning against a table with a grin. He’s clearly pleased with the scenery. Typical. But I’m not here for him. I’m here for my fake-ass boyfriend.

“Yo! Justin!” Luke shouts over the music, pointing directly at us. “Your sister’s here!”

Justin’s head snaps toward him and my steps falter slightly as we reach the corner of the table full of jocks. I can see, from the corner of my eye, how he stiffens. Then, like he just remembered some urgent mission, he jumps to his feet and starts marching toward us.

He doesn’t break eye contact. His gaze travels from my hair, down my dress, to my toes, before flicking to Allie. The look he gives us is annoying, the same look you’d give a kid caught somewhere they shouldn’t be.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing here?”

“Same thing you’re probably doing here,” I reply, not even glancing at him. “I’m here to…” I trail off as a figure steps beside him.

My head tilts slightly, and I catch Braydon’s dark gaze sweeping over me from head to toe. It’s cold, assessing, and possessive, the kind of look that makes my insides clench without permission.

“You should-”

Before Justin can finish, Allie grabs my arm and drags me toward the bar. As we pass, she flicks her middle finger at the pair we left behind. I can’t tell if she’s doing all this for me, for Braydon, or just for the sheer fun of it but I can’t help the grin tugging at my lips.

I mean, how dare Braydon look at me possessively when he’s been flirting all night without consequence?

“She’ll have anything soft,” Allie says to the bartender as we slide onto the stools. Then she leans closer to me, her eyes sparkling. “Did you see the look on his face?”

“Uhun,” I murmur, nodding, and trying to keep my excitement contained. I twist just enough to sneak a glance, but she quickly stops me.

“Don’t look,” she whispers. “We have to act unbothered. They can’t figure out we’re here just because of them.”

I don’t know how Allie thinks sometimes, but I go along with it anyway. It’s obvious we’re here because of them, and I highly doubt anyone sent out an invite. Still… if it makes sense to her, I’ll indulge.

I bob my head and turn toward the bartender just as he slides a drink in front of me. The glass is cold in my hand, the liquid a deep, reddish color. From my quick taste, I deduce it’s Chapman or something that probably won’t knock me out tonight. Allie isn’t drinking, thanks to the doctor’s orders. I take a sip, exhaling slowly, feeling my dress threatening to squeeze me into oblivion.

I’m really tempted to glance over at Braydon, but Allie would chop my head off if I did. That dark, hungry look in his eyes when he saw me… yeah, it’s definitely something.

A moment later, a guy slides up to Allie, starting a conversation. Great. Just great. Now I’m left sitting alone. My fingers itch to reach for my phone, but Allie has made it clear: pulling out your phone in a place like this is the number-one sign that you hate the scene. And I hate that I can’t argue with her logic.

Well, I don’t do well in this kind of scene, and not having anyone to talk to just makes it worse.

Allie, please… send that dude away and talk to me.

“You look uncomfortable.” I whip my head to the side. There’s a guy there, maybe late twenties, early thirties, with dreads, bloodshot eyes that scream high, and a smell of smoke that makes my stomach twist. He grins at me, and I feel a wave of disgust. “Why? You need company, pretty thing?”

First of all, I don’t appreciate anyone calling me a thing. And second… is he a dragon? Why does every word feel like it’s coming with smoke and that churning cigarette breath?

“I’m actually fine,” I whisper, trying not to open my mouth too much.

He leans in closer, and I nearly topple off my stool, scrambling to keep some space between us. “You’re easily the hottest girl in here. You need to be more than fine.”

“Hahahaaha,” I force out, grimacing inwardly. Yeah. That’s the best I can do. I know I sound cringe, but I’m genuinely trying here. Also, I’m seriously regretting coming here. I should’ve just scolded Braydon or something instead.

“So…” Mr. Dragon-Dreads leans in even closer, his grin wide and unsettling. “What’s your name?”

“Katy,” I answer dryly, hoping he takes the hint and disappears.

He slides into the seat next to mine, close enough that I feel the heat radiating off him.

“You can barely breathe in that dress,” he says. “And are you sure you should be drinking that?”

I roll my eyes, the grip on my glass tightening. Does he really think he can lecture me now? And if I can barely breathe… what business is that to him?

“You’re ruining my fun,” I snap, my teeth clenched.

“You and I both know you’re not having any fun,” he shoots back immediately. “Not in this kind of place. Not with anybody.”

I grit my teeth and scan the bar, searching for Allie. I need an escape before I explode, before I start yelling at him here. Not having fun? Is he… saying I’m boring?

“If you’re looking for Allie,” he adds. “She’s in safe hands.”

Exhaling and full of annoyance, I face him. “Where is she?”

“Just know she’s good with Justin.” He says, then his gaze drifts to my exposed thighs. Not. subtle at all. “Which leaves just you.”

I narrow my eyes. “I’m leaving already. Pay for the drink.”

I immediately rise, pull down my dress and start marching toward the exit. I want to dial Allie but I see she’s left me a text that she’s cool and I sigh. I wonder when she left with Justin and if she remembers that she had surgery recently.

Just as I push myself outside, I realize that I should have called campus cab before leaving. The cold bites into my skin and I almost want to run inside. But just as that thought crosses, Braydon steps out.

Before I can react or do anything, he grabs my wrist and pulls me toward the side of the building.

The movement is so quick and my back hits the wall before I can even form a word. The cold bricks jab through my dress, and a sharp breath escapes me.

He plants his hands on either side of me, caging me in. His body doesn’t touch mine, but it’s close enough that the space between us feels stolen.

I push lightly at his arm, but his hands don’t move. Slowly, I force myself to look are dark and the anger in them is obvious.

His eyes

“Are you testing how far you can push me before I snap?” His voice comes out rough, like he’s fighting with every word and my heart skips. “You wanna know what it takes for me to drop the restraint,” he continues, his gaze flicking to my mouth before returning to my eyes, And do exactly what I want with you?”