Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 97

BRAYDON’S POV

Katy and her team won their debate round but no surprise there. Whatever she touches, she dominates.

Now we’re on the way to this tiny restaurant to have lunch. Apparently she couldn’t track down anything decent to eat in Salem, and her teammates are also starving. The boys didn’t hesitate to tag along, and they all split into different cabs with some of Katy’s friends, and honestly, don’t ask me how that’s going. Nothing normal ever comes from mixing sex-crazed jocks with a group of girls. Nothing good, at least.

Meanwhile, no one seems bothered that we have a game in a few hours and should probably be focused on, you know, actually warming up for it. I’m honestly shocked Brisket hasn’t blown up my phone yet.

“I hope their menu’s good,” Katy says as we step out of the cab.

I pay the driver and turn back to her. “I’m sure it’ll be decent enough.”

She slips her hands into mine while we wait for the others. One by one, Luke, Martin, Justin, Zach, and Zeff show up with Katy’s friends trailing behind them, and we all head inside together.

The moment we step in, I realize we’ve been fooled by the outside. This place is trying to be a restaurant, but it’s absolutely a bar in disguise.

A cluster of old men sits in one corner, arguing over something on a cracked TV. A speaker in the back is blasting music loud enough to vibrate the tables and people are eating like none of this bothers them, which honestly impresses me.

I glance at Katy. She’s already scanning the place like she’s trying to calculate her exit route.

“Should we try somewhere else?” I ask under my breath.

She lets out a slow, frustrated sigh. I know that sigh. It’s the one she uses right before she considers strangling someone she likes. And since Justin is the one who swore this place had great reviews, I know exactly where her mind is drifting.

“We can’t possibly book more cabs,” she finally says. “We’ll just manage.”

I turn to tell the others we’ll just eat here, but they’re already squeezed into one of the booths, trying to get comfortable. I shake my head and take Katy’s hand, guiding her over. We slip into the booth, sliding all the way to the end while Justin takes it upon himself to call for orders.

Ten minutes later, everyone’s settled and our orders are finally in. The table gets quieter and I can guess it’s mostly from hunger.

Katy leans her head on my shoulder. “I can’t wait to see your game later.”

I brush my hand gently over her hair. “Now you’re making me anxious.”

She laughs softly. “Why?”

“I don’t know. It means now I can’t afford to lose.”

“No, you can’t,” she says, still laughing.

Our meals come later, and everyone is served what they ordered. Once we’re finally settled, I take a bite of my food.

Oh. It’s actually good.

I turn to tell Katy, but she’s already nodding to herself, chewing slowly like she’s having her own private moment. I smile a little.

I guess this place isn’t so bad.

“I used to think cheerleading had the prettiest girls,” Luke says suddenly, taking a long gulp of water. “You debate chicks just proved me wrong.”

A few of the girls flash him shy smiles, trying not to look too pleased and I just shake my head. They’re soaking up the attention, and Luke…well, Luke is being Luke. He’s not complimenting them out of the kindness of his heart. The guy has one mission, and it’s not subtle.

I’m a changed man now, but I still recognize game when I see it.

He’s still talking, still earning laughs from the table, when a shadow falls over our booth. At first, I don’t pay much attention, figured it’s just someone passing by.

But the laughter dies a little in my ears, and instinctively, I lift my head.

My gaze falls on a face I haven’t had to deal with in, what… six months? He’s chewing gum like he owns the room. A nasty cut slices across his chin, and his hands are buried deep in the pockets of his black-and-red jacket.

Behind him, his goons stand the same way they always do, their eyes fixed on us like they own the room.

These devils are still nasty as hell.

“Well, if it isn’t the posh, privileged-ass kids,” Gareth drawls, popping his gum. He leans. forward, planting both hands on our table. “Didn’t think I’d find you lot in our turf.”

Katy leans closer. “Who’s that?” she whispers.

“Captain of the team we play today,” I say quietly.

I leave out the part where he’s also been my long-term enemy… and the part where I’m responsible for the cut on his chin.

And I’m not the only one. Justin, Luke, and the rest of the boys are up too, all facing Gareth now, muscles tensed.

“What did you fucking say?” I demand.

Gareth only smirks. “You gonna beat me or what?”

I can feel the heat crawling up my neck. I need to hold myself together. One hit and the season’s done.

“Get the fuck out of here,” I warn. “Or I’ll give you a matching tattoo on your left chin. It was easy the last time, wasn’t it?”

His eyes darken. He steps closer, his chest puffed, and squared up right in front of Justin, who doesn’t move an inch.

I open my mouth to shut this down but Katy beats me to it.

“I’m trying to fucking eat!” she snaps. Every head at the table swings toward her and she stabs her fork into her chicken. “Who the hell are you to interrupt my meal with your cliché threats and speeches?”

Gareth tilts his head, confused and offended all at once.

Katy exhales sharply. “And listen,” she continues, “I wouldn’t fuck you if you were the last dude on earth and I was literally ten seconds from exploding from arousal shock.”

My jaw drops but she’s not finished.

“So please, if you have nothing else to say, leave us alone. This isn’t high school, no one cares. Grow up.”

Gareth looks at her, then at me, then back at her again like his brain is buffering. He glances

at Justin, then returns to me, lost, furious, and humiliated.

“You heard the lady, scrap,” Luke says from beside me, arms crossed.

Gareth’s face goes red. “I’m gonna deal with you guys out there,” he spits. “You better watch out. Someone’s gonna lose something.”

Then he turns sharply, his goons following him toward the counter, their shoulders stiff, and their swagger gone.