All Chapters of Fake Dating My Ex's Favourite Hockey Player: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

For once, Liam isn't grinning or cracking jokes. He actually looks like he'd rather be anywhere else, and that throws me off.If he didn't want to be here, why had he been so eager about this wedding? He was the one who rushed us into every open door in East Village, the one who insisted on getting gifts-even if they were ridiculous. He hadn't exactly lit up when he mentioned knowing the groom, but he'd still put in the effort.Then again, a cake wouldn't even crack my top fifty wedding gift ideas. But what would I know? I've never had a wedding, after all.Liam takes the jab in stride, flashing a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Good thing the surprise wasn't for you," he says smoothly, turning to the groom on the right. The tension in his shoulders eases as he takes in the outfit, his lips twitching in amusement. But instead of commenting, he simply says, "Congratulations, Mar. Even if you did just marry an asshole-better an asshole I know than one I don't."The Corpse Brid

EMILIAThe summer before college, Zane got his driver’s license and drove us up to Maine to visit his extended family.My parents had never approved of our relationship. They saw Zane as a country bumpkin — someone beneath our family’s status who was only with me for the connections my last name carried. They would have preferred I married our rival’s son and secured a business merger to expand the family profits.When I put my foot down and insisted that what we had wasn’t some fleeting childhood infatuation — that I loved him — they weren’t happy about it.My sister was too young to understand the weight of my family’s expectations, so she stayed out of it.But my brother? He was always on my side.At least, he was — until I snuck out for that road trip to Maine without telling a soul.Zane and I got into a huge fight somewhere along the way. He pulled over fifteen miles from his grandparents’ house, dropped me off on the side of the road, sent me the GPS location, and drove off.Th

EMILIA“To give him his own invitation. Maybe he can bring his actual girlfriend as a plus one.”Ah.The word lodges in my throat, and the tightness in my chest finally makes sense.Of course.Of course he didn’t come here for me.I was so desperate for comfort and some semblance of affection that I....God, I feel stupid for even considering, for even hoping — for that brief, fleeting second — that this visit was about us. That somewhere beneath all the cruelty there was a reason for the tenderness, too.That I still meant something.But no. It was always about Liam.It’s always about Liam.Zane watches me expectantly, like my silence is an overreaction he didn’t expect. Like this should be simple.I wonder how he can do it. Look at me and not see everything we had. Was it that easy to let go of an entire decade of love and affection?Was I that hard to love? That easy to move on from?That easy to forget?I smooth my expression into something unreadable, something that won’t betray

EMILIAWhen I get to Tessa’s apartment, the first thing I do is head straight for the shower.I take my time, scrubbing away the day — the mess, the stress, all of it. By the time I step out, I feel lighter, like I’m washing off a version of myself I don’t want to be anymore.Perfect. That was the plan anyway.I slap a bandaid on my hand, wrap my curls in a towel, and head to my bedroom. Clothes and makeup supplies are scattered everywhere — new things I bought over the past two weeks.Tess didn’t want me at the bakery after the location got leaked. She was terrified for me. The thought makes me smile.But then I spent too much of my bakery money on impulse buys, so I had to get back to work — despite Tessa’s protests. Funny, considering a few months ago, she was the one dragging me to work.I didn’t just shop while I was home. I watched YouTube tutorials, learned how to dress cuter, do my makeup, and style my 4C hair. I’m no expert, but I’m way better than before.I pull on a white c

EMILIAThe ride starts, and I hit the gas, aiming straight for Liam. His eyes go wide — then BAM! I crash into him, sending his car spinning.“Oh, you’re gonna regret that,” he yells, quickly recovering.I laugh, swerving just as he tries to hit me back. He misses.“That all you got, Mr. Beverage Ad Guy?”His eyes narrow. “You are so dead.”We race around the arena, bumping into each other, dodging, laughing. Kids are screaming, cars are crashing — it’s complete chaos all around us.At some point, Liam gets stuck in a corner, and I don’t waste the chance. I slam into him three times.“Are you serious?” he groans, gripping the wheel like it betrayed him.I flip my hair dramatically. “Some of us are just naturally talented, Liam.”The ride slows to a stop, and I hop out, grinning. Liam stays behind, rubbing his jaw like he’s thinking way too hard about something.“What?” I ask, raising a brow. “Sore loser? Not surprising, honestly—”“So, what would you actually want for your birthday?”