Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 63

KATY’S POV

I fling the door open and throw my arms around Braydon. He freezes for a split second, surprised, before grinning and hugging me back.

“Congratulations on surviving midterms,” I say when we finally pull apart, tucking my hair behind my ear. “I’m proud of you.”

He adjusts the collar of his flannel, giving me that cocky smile I’ve grown to love. “Thanks, sexy prof. Couldn’t have done it without you.”

I roll my eyes and lead the way to my room with him trailing behind. I gesture toward the center of my bed, and his eyes widen a little.

I’d set up a small victory spread on my bed: a half-dozen cupcakes from the campus bakery, a bag of chocolate chip cookies, a small box of macarons in pastel colors, a bottle of wine I’d grabbed from the corner store, and a bouquet of daisies I’d picked up on my way back added a touch of celebration.

“I thought we might celebrate,” I say, gesturing to the spread.

His lips curve a little. “Really?”

“You like it?” I ask, biting my lip.

“Yeah,” he says, scratching the back of his hair. “But… definitely unexpected.”

I laugh softly and slide onto the bed, patting the space beside me. He doesn’t hesitate and sits, careful not to knock anything over. We reach for the cupcakes at the same time, our hands brushing, and I feel that familiar flutter in my chest.

For a few minutes, we eat in comfortable silence. I savor a cupcake, chewing slowly, while Braydon picks at the macarons. I catch him sneaking glances at me, and a small smile tugs at my lips.

“I like this,” he finally says, his voice low.

I blink, mid-chew. “What?”

“Eating with you,” he answers, turning to meet my gaze. “Everything we’ve been doing together for the past few weeks… honestly, it’s been the favorite part of this entire semester.”

Heat creeps up my cheeks, and I look down at my half-eaten cupcake. “Really?”

He nods, then places his macaron down on the wrapper and grabs his bag from behind him. Unzipping it, he pulls out a paper bag and pushes it toward me. I lift my eyebrows in surprise.

“I got you a little gift,” he smirks.

“Are you serious?” My gaze darts between him and the bag, heart racing.

“Go on,” he urges.

I take it carefully, biting my lip as I peek inside. A neatly wrapped box sits within. My fingers tremble as I lift it out, and my lips part in disbelief because no way. Even before unwrapping it, I have an idea of what’s inside.

I snap my gaze to him, excitement spilling over. “Don’t tell me it’s what I think it is.”

He chuckles, his eyes twinkling. “You can only find out if you unwrap it.”

My hands shake slightly as I peel off the paper. The moment the first part comes off, I shove the box aside and leap onto him, squealing with happiness. He squeals too, catching me in his arms. As I nuzzle into his shoulder, his laugh rumbles beneath me and he wraps his arms around me, rubbing my back.

“I can’t believe it,” I whisper, my voice muffled. “Really.”

“I’m happy you’re excited,” he says, his grin audible in his tone.

“You have no idea,” I respond, pulling back slightly so I can look at him. “Justin promised to get me a Mac if I tutored you. How did you even know I needed one?”

Instead of answering, his hand snakes up toward my neck. I flinch, thinking he’s messing with my hair… until I see him holding a necklace between his fingers.

“I thought it would be easier to slip it on you,” he snorts, a little shy, his cheeks warming.

I freeze, speechless, my eyes locked on the necklace. Slowly, I lift my gaze to his face. “You… got me that too?”

He nods, leaning closer. His fingers brush against my neck as he gently parts my hair,

gathering it behind my shoulders. He slips the necklace on, and a shiver runs down my spine. Then he leans back, smiling as his eyes sweep over me.

“Perfect,” he murmurs.

I smile, my fingers grazing the pendant. “It feels beautiful.”

“Do you like it?”

Without answering, I jump off the bed and hurry to the mirror, nearly tripping over my blanket. My reflection catches the faint glimmer at my throat a thin chain holding a small, clear stone that catches light in the prettiest way. It scatters tiny flashes of silver and white across my skin, shimmering like it’s alive.

I can’t stop smiling. “It’s the most beautiful necklace I’ve ever owned,” I whisper, touching it carefully.

He bites his lip, eyes softening. “Just for the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”

My knees almost give out. I spin back toward him, trying to hide the stupid grin tugging at my mouth. Creeping back to the bed, I tighten my fingers in my lap, fighting a blush.

My gaze drifts back to the Mac, still half-wrapped in its box and the sight makes something inside me flutter. I’ve wanted this for months, dreamed about it actually and now it’s sitting on my bed because he got it for me.

Did Justin tell him? Or did he somehow just… notice?

The thought barely forms before another hits me: I’m supposed to be giving him something. My stomach twists. After everything he’s just done, will mine even matter?

Still, I thought hard about it.

Digging into my bag, I pull out a small white envelope, smoothing the corner with my thumb. My lips press together nervously before I look up at him.

“What a coincidence, I also got something for you,” I say quietly, watching his expression shift.

His face brightens instantly, that boyish grin spreading across his features as he straightens in surprise. “Wait, seriously?”

Slowly, I lean forward and stretch my hand out with the envelope. He takes it, his fingers brushing mine.

“Don’t open or read it now,” I say quickly.

He raises an eyebrow, his lips twitching. “You know that just makes me more curious, right?”

Before he can slide his thumb under the flap, I snatch it back. “If you’re going to read it here, I might as well just tell you what’s inside,” I say, clutching it to my chest.

His eyes narrow slightly. “I think I’d really like that.”

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