Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 70

70 /193

KATY’S POV

We’re still stuck in Chicago. As ridiculous as that sounds, it’s not exactly a surprise. The Network Collective draws a lot of people every year, and with Chicago being one of those major convention cities, trying to get out afterward is basically a collective headache for everyone.

“Damn it!!” Braydon swears again, probably the third time in two minutes. He’s clearly frustrated, maybe a little more than me. But honestly? I can’t blame him. I’d be cranky too if I’d been behind the wheel for four hours, only to end up inching along traffic while it’s almost 9p.m

And before anyone suggests we just crash at a hotel, trust me…we’ve tried. Thrice. Every room is booked, even the dog wing of one hotel. Yes, that’s right…. the section where they keep the dogs. Not that we could sleep there, unfortunately. So here we are, driving to yet another hotel, surrounded by what feels like half of Chicago, all of us hoping for the same miracle: an empty room.

Giving up would be easy. I could lean back, scroll my phone, and pretend it’s an adventure. But the last time I slept in a car a few years back, it was one of those never speak of it again kind of memories. I’d rather fight traffic and hotel lines than relive that experience.

I pop open the second bag of chips I have and grab a handful, shoving them toward Braydon. He stares at my hand for a second before opening his mouth like he’s about to swallow my fingers.

I chuckle, but before I can pull back, he grabs my hand, dragging it toward his lips. Slowly and because apparently this is normal, he licks my fingers.

I freeze and goosebumps decide this is their time to make an appearance.

When he finally lets go, I lick my lips and glance away, trying to act casual. “Do you know how much germs I have on my fingers?”

He shrugs, his voice rough and entirely too confident. “I’m a grown man, Peach. Germs are nothing.”

I c**k an eyebrow, shoving a chip in my mouth. “A few weeks ago, you told me you were a growing man. Done growing already?”

He chuckles, and the sound fills the car. “You remember everything people say, don’t you?”

“Maybe.” I shrug, before holding out another chip to him. “Or maybe what you say tends to stick. I guess you have a way with words.”

He pops the chip in his mouth, eyes locked on me, and for a second, I almost forget we’re in a rented car, stuck in Chicago traffic, and apparently destined to be homeless for the night.

“You make me feel special, Katy,” he says.

I swallow, my heart doing that embarrassing sprinting thing. Whenever he uses my name, it feels like the moment suddenly sits up straighter and pays attention.

“You’re the first to make me feel this way,” he adds.

There’s a long moment where we’re just staring at each other, neither of us saying a word. It’s the kind of silence that feels heavy and warm at the same time, and I have to force out a scoff just to break it.

“The entire campus treats you like some kind of king,” I tell him. “Don’t you think saying I’m the first is total bull?”

“I’m serious,” he says, his eyes steady. “You’re the only one who makes me feel like a decent human being worthy of good things.”

I bite my lip, my heart now pounding in my ears. “Really?”

He nods quickly and then suddenly sits up straighter, slipping right back into his playful tone like someone flipped a switch. “Which is why we need to get a hotel room ASAP. I can’t have you camping in this car all night.”