Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 80

KATY’S POV

“Come on, let’s go for a run,” Allie whines, tugging at my arm like she owns it.

I yank my hand back and pull my blanket tighter around me. “Jeez, it’s freezing. Are you actually insane?”

She drops her hands on her hips, tilting her head at me. “I’ll make you hot chocolate if you come.”

I snort. “I’ll tutor you for an extra hour if I don’t.”

We lock eyes, waiting to see who will blink first or give up. I open my mouth to argue that running in sub-zero temperatures is a horrible life choice when a knock on the door cuts me off.

“Are you-”

Allie shakes her head before I can even finish. Then who the hell is out there because I’m not expecting anyone too.

“Who’s there?” I yell, my voice echoing across the room, loud enough for whoever’s on the other side to hear.

“Santa Claus,” my brother’s smug voice floats back.

I roll my eyes, muttering under my breath.

Allie, who was clearly in the mood to run, starts backing out of my room. Before I can even blink, she’s disappeared into hers and slammed the door so hard I almost expect the walls to shake. Weirdo.

I push myself up from the bed, tugging a cardigan around my shoulders for warmth, and open the door. Justin’s standing outside, looking ridiculously overblown in the biggest coat I’ve ever seen. I swear he could survive a blizzard with that thing.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.

The smugness doesn’t leave his face as he pushes past me. “I know I may not be the best brother,” he says, brushing imaginary snow off his shoulders, “but in this weather, you’ve gotta let me in first before the questions. And seriously, try to look slightly happy to see me.”copied from j-o-b-nib’c’o’m.I groan and close the door. “Now that you’re in, what do you want?” He rubs his hands together. “Do you have tea? Coffee? Something hot?” He glances around, shivering slightly. “I’m in dire need.”

I point toward Allie’s door. “She’ll be of help to you, then.”

He stares after me for a beat, looking slightly deflated, then waves a hand. “You know what?

I’m fine.”

I c**k an eyebrow. “I’m serious-she-”

“Let’s go in your room and talk,” he interrupts, grabbing my arm and dragging me back toward my bed.

I flop down onto the mattress, staring at the ceiling. “Why are you bugging me?”

Having a brother isn’t always worth it, and this…right now, definitely counts as one of those moments.

He stands in front of me, shrugging out of his enormous coat and folding it neatly on my reading chair. Only then does he lower himself onto my bed, somehow managing to drag my blanket over his shoulders as he exhales and parts his hair slowly.

“How have you been?” he asks.

I cross my arms. “Go straight to the point.”

He tilts his head. “Have you always been this…” I already know he’s going to say something I don’t like. “rabid? Or did something happen?”

Despite myself, Braydon’s face immediately pops into my mind, and I inhale sharply. “I guess people have just been jerks to me,” I mutter.

“Hmmm.” He shifts closer. “I’m here to talk about the biggest one.”

I squint. “Braydon?”

“Bingo!” He snaps his fingers, grinning. “How did you know?”

Is he joking or what?

I shake my head. “If you’re here for fun, I’m sorry to disappoint you. I have books to read.”

“I’m here to hear your side properly before I beat his ass,” he responds.

“I don’t need you to beat anybody up,” I mutter, lying back down.

“But I have to take a side.”

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