Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 87

87 /193

KATY’S POV

“Let’s shower together,” Braydon says, and I freeze mid-step in front of the bathroom. I spin around to face him, my heart suddenly racing. I can’t see my face, but I know it’s flaming red.

I swallow. “Umm… why don’t we take things slowly?”

He tries and fails to hide a grin. “You look like I just asked you to strip dance.”

I punch his shoulder before spinning back toward the bathroom. I step inside, exhaling, and a small smile creeps across my face.

I’ll probably say it a thousand times, but I still can’t believe Braydon Cooper is my boyfriend. I mean… who would’ve thought that the guy I dragged into a ridiculous fake dating plan to spite his brother would actually fall for me?

Who would’ve thought that my brother’s best friend would now be in my room, after making me pancakes for breakfast? I almost squeal but I hold it in. I’m cool, chic and composed. Cool girls don’t do squeals.

“Who’s your favorite author?” he suddenly calls out, breaking my train of thought.

I blink, leaning toward the door. “What did you say?”

He repeats the question, his voice a little softer.

“I… don’t know,” I start, turning on the shower. I raise my voice over the running water. “I love a lot of them, honestly. But some of my favorites are Raymond Carter, Sally Rooney, Holly Black, Ali Hazelwood, Mia Sheridan, and Chloe Liese.”

“You sure have a lot of faves,” I hear him mutter, chuckling. He’s not much of a reader, so I’m not even surprised by the tone in his voice.

As I shower, he keeps asking more questions, his voice drifting in through the slightly cracked bathroom door and I can’t help smiling under the warm water.

When I finally step out, my hair is wrapped in a towel. Goosebumps run across my skin as his eyes roam over me, and I notice that he can’t even try to hide what he’s thinking. It’s written all over his face, making my pulse do that stupid, exciting little flip.

I pretend not to notice his lingering gaze. “You can use the bathroom now,” I say, trying to sound casual.

He rises to his feet, his eyes lighting up. “I’ve always wanted to use your body wash and shampoo,” he says eagerly.

I roll my eyes. “Don’t even think about wasting it. That stuff costs a lot.”

He pauses, then draws nearer, closing the distance until he’s just a few inches away, and looking down at me with that serious face he uses when he’s about to be ridiculous. “How much?”

“Like… twenty bucks,” I reply, not ashamed that I’m such a cheap skate. “That’s a lot of money to some people, so…”

“You don’t have to worry about money around me,” he interrupts, dead serious, and I can see he really means it. “Whatever you need, you let me know. Boyfriend will never let you down.”

I fight back a laugh at his shameless boasting, the corner of my mouth twitching, but honestly… I don’t mind it at all. Not even a little.

“And what else can this boyfriend do?” I tease, pressing my fingers against his hard, muscled arm.

He steps closer, that confident grin spreading across his face. “He can do whatever you want. Just name it. You’ve got your very own special Santa Claus.”

“I kind of like this boyfriend,” I murmur, my lips curling into a smile.

“Well, you should,” he replies, leaning down to kiss me softly. “He’s the best.”

I chuckle, watching him wander off toward the bathroom, shaking my head. God, he’s so adorable.

I pick up my phone, and look at the screen to see two new messages. I read the messages and realize they’re from Bryan.

UNKNOWN: Can we talk? Okay, I did what I did because I still love you.

I stare at the screen for all of two seconds before I shake my head and drop the phone face- down on my bed. Of course he’d say that. Of course he’d try this angle. He’s a psychopath.

Braydon already told me not to respond if he reaches out, not to take the bait, or try to handle anything on my own. He said he’d deal with it.

But if I ever got the chance?

Honestly, I would strangle Bryan’s balls with my bare hands.

I open the door and freeze because Justin is staring back at me. My pulse spikes, and for a second, I almost slam the door back in his face. But then I remember… that’s not going to undo anything that’s already happened. Maybe if I act normal, it’ll feel less like I want to crawl under the floor and disappear.

“Brought some clothes for your boyfriend,” he says casually, stepping inside. I squeeze my eyes shut, my fingers tightening around the doorknob. He has zero intention of letting me off easy.

I finally let go of the knob and close the door behind him, turning to face him. My mouth opens, then closes. I want to say something, anything…but the words die in my throat. He’s looking at me like he knows exactly how flustered I am…and he wants to laugh.

“Where is your boyfriend?” he asks, breaking the silence.

“You don’t have to say boyfriend every time,” I manage to mutter.

“What’s his name again?” he pretends to think, tapping his chin. “Oh yeah… Cooper. Almost forgot. You know, it sounds better when I just call him your boyfriend.”

“Fine, okay!” I choke out, waving a hand. “We’re dating, you warned me, bla bla bla, and I swore I’d never fall for him. You win!”

Slowly, a ridiculously smug smile spreads across his face. “He’s not my type physically, emotionally bla bla bla,” he imitates, using what seems to be my voice but it’s way too high, annoyingly girly, and over the top.