Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 7

KATY’S POV

The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming.

Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks.

I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow.

After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down.

I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—”

“It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time.

My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss.

Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table.

He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.”

“You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks.

He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned.

“Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.”

I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo.

“We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.”

He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.”

The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring.

Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL.

Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better.

“Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out.

He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?”

I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby.

He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us.

“Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?”

I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.”

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