Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 74

KATY’S POV

“He doesn’t have any,” she says, shrugging.

“Not at all?”

“Yeah,” she admits, scratching the back of her neck. “He’s…more of a no-technology, hates photos, kind of guy.”

I pause. Honestly, I’d say it’s unbelievable but my brother is like that too.

“You’ll show me this dude tomorrow,” I say, pointing for emphasis. “And you better not disappear. I need to see him for myself and you should also tell Justin to do better things with his life.”

She stays silent, shifting uncomfortably under my gaze.

“Are we on the same page?” I press.

She nods slowly. “Uhun.”

“Good. Now leave.” I flick my hand at her. “Take the chocolates and disappear. I need to sleep.”

She doesn’t even pretend to move. Instead, she hops over the bed in one dramatic leap and wraps her arms around my neck, practically choking me.

“I want to stay with you,” she whines in my ear.

“Allie-” I try to pry her off, but she tightens like some clingy sea creature.

“Let go. I’m severely exhausted, you octopus.”

“No,” she hugs me harder. “I’m not letting go. I want to hear all the details.”

“All the details of what?” I wheeze, genuinely fighting for air now.

“You and Braydon,” she says like it’s obvious. “You owe me the deets.”

I manage to pry her arms off and almost shove her off my bed. “You witch,” I cough, rubbing

my neck. “If you strangle me, who’s supposed to give you the deets?”

“Come on,” she inches closer again and I stretch my arm out as a barrier.

“I’m starving.” She cries.

“Then go eat.”

She gives me a look that means she’s two seconds from launching herself at me and honestly, God help me, because she always wins. I can’t even say no to her because every time she tried something new with Sean, I was the first person she ran to. Now she’s here to collect tax for all the months I’ve enjoyed my free subscription on her life.

“Fine,” I exhale. “We had a wonderful night.”

Her eyes narrow and she actually looks offended. “Is this a book report or something?”

Heat floods my face, not just from her expression, but because every moment from that night flashes through my mind at this instant. I do want to tell her. I want to tell her how it felt almost… unreal. Like something in me finally clicked after years of thinking something was broken.

“Just yours,” she says, her grin widening like she’s been waiting for this moment for years.” Because you’re finally getting what you deserve.”

I roll my eyes, though a small smile tugs at my lips. “If you insist on knowing everything, all I’m going to say is… it took a solid two minutes to fit. We had to work around that.”

Her eyes go wide, and before I can even react, she yelps and flops flat onto the bed, her legs kicking into the air like. Why on earth is she more excited than me?

She doesn’t stay down for long. In a flash, she’s sitting upright again, and leaning toward me. “And in Chicago?”

I shrug. “Nah… we didn’t.”

Her expression drops, and for a split second, disappointment flickers across her face. “Why?”

“Because it was more… bonding time, I guess,” I murmur, tracing idle patterns on my blanket. “I mean, not exactly bonding… but I did tell him about my parents.”

Her lips part. “Really?”

“Yeah.” I fold my knees against my chest. “Do you think I shouldn’t have? Maybe it’ll scare him away… it’s just… I really like him. I want him to know me, to make up his mind about us without being in the dark about my life. I want him to decide on the commitment, and I kind of felt like that was the first step. I don’t know if I’m making any sense.”

She nods slowly, scooting closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “I don’t think he’s gonna run away. Besides, a normal person wouldn’t freak out because of your parents. You’re not them. You’re like… the smartest person I know, the kindest, the cutest. It’s his loss if he doesn’t take this seriously. His loss.”

I nod, even though part of me doesn’t want it to be his loss. I’ve found someone who makes me feel seen, who’s funny and kind… and it’s hard not to want him.

I turn to Allie. “Can I sleep now?”

She smiles, mischievously brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “Go to sleep, little one.”