Fake Dating My Ex’s Favourite Hockey Playersigh, swirling my drink. “You were fine playing that game with me. But the second it was him, you froze.”“Because I loved him, Liam. When it’s with you I know it’s not real. It… you don’t mean anything to me.” She exhales sharply. I flinch. I don’t mean to, but I do. She’s too tipsy to notice. “And I knew what Becca was doing. She wanted a reaction.”The words hit harder than they should. She says them like they’re just facts. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. I want to laugh, but the sound would come out broken. “Did she getone?”Her eyes narrow. “You’re impossible.”No, you’re the impossible one.Standing there like it didn’t just cost you nothing to say I mean less than some guy whoalready walked away from you.Frustration crashes into me – sharp, hot, messy. It burns through my chest and settles inmy throat.I drag a hand through my hair, gripping the strands at the back of my neck like I can pullthe feelings out of me.But they stay.The anger. The sting.The way her words keep echoing You don’t mean anything to me.–God. I don’t even know why it hurts this much.Except I do.Because I want to mean something.I want to be someone to her.Someone important, someone valuable, someone who’ll have some sort of place in herheart.Someone who she’ll think twice about before saying they mean nothing.God, it hurts to think.“Emilia, you’re avoiding the question.”Her eyes flash. “And you–why do you care so much?”“What? You think I’m jealous?”She doesn’t blink. Doesn’t flinch. Just watches me like she already knows the answer.I force out a laugh, lift my drink to my lips like I don’t feel like I’m coming undone. “Right. Because I so desperately wanted to be in his place.”Her eyes flicker – something cracks there. Hurt, maybe. Guilt. But it’s gone too fast. Likeshe’s trained herself not to let me see it.She lifts her chin. “You didn’t have a problem when it was you.”My smirk comes automatically, but it’s all teeth and no warmth.“That’s because I don’t mean anything to you, right?”I say it lightly, but the words scrape on the way out.Because they feel true.And they shouldn’t.I don’t want them to.I look at her, waiting for her to deny it.To say that’s not what I meant‘, or ‘you’re wrong‘,But she doesn’t.And that silence?That silence punches harder than anything else she’s said tonight.Her breath hitches. The word is a blWAY1 Rice out a laugh, shaking my head. “There’s still time to get your man back, ruin the Ang Movie even become his Mix in the proCONN processThe shap comes fast and leaves a sharp sting in its wake.The Ning if I said I didn’t expect it.As out a slow breath, thoxing my jaw as my cheek throbs.ther bands are tremblingThe unge by take them in mine eats at me. But it’s not the time.. especially when I’m the one who made them like that.Her eyes are filled with tours I didn’t see when I looked away.She hides her hands behind her back but it’s too late. I already saw.ShitYoure nothing but an entitled asshole,” she spits, voice shaking. “Who are you to judge me? Or make assumptions about me?She lets out a harsh laugh, rubbing her palm where it met my face. “You don’t do wlationships, right? Too afraid to feel something real? Maybe I’m this slut in your head, ready to steal another girl’s man, but at least I let myself love. It’s no wonder Mar and Elijah can’t stand you. I don’t know how you stand yourself.noveldramaShe takes a breath, like she’s waiting for something.AnythingBut I stay silent. It’s not like she’s wrong. Everything she said is the truth.I just wish it could be different with her.“I’m sorry, Emilia, it stings. Something in my chest aches so much I can hardly breathe. ‘I didn’t mean that. I’m sorry.”Her shoulders rise and fall with the effort of holding it together.Then she shakes her head and turns away.It takes everything in me, but I don’t stop her.Chapter Comments