FAKE DATING MY EX'S TEAMMATE

Chapter Six

Maya's POV

The word leaves my mouth before I can stop it.

"Finn."

His name hangs in the air between us, heavy and impossible to take back. My stomach drops as I watch his entire body go rigid. The muscle in his jaw twitches once, twice. Then he's standing, the movement is sharp and final.

What is wrong with me?

I sit frozen like a complete idiot, as he walks away without a word. His back is straight, shoulders tense. Every step he takes feels like condemnation.

"Finn?" Celeste's voice cuts through the noise of the rink. She's standing now too, confusion flickering across her perfect features. "Finn, wait!"

He doesn't stop. He doesn't even slow down. Just disappears through the locker room doors like I don't exist.

Celeste's head snaps toward me. The confusion is gone, replaced by something cold and sharp. Her eyes narrow, and for a moment, I see real hatred and bitterness there. Then she turns and runs after him, her heels clicking against the concrete.

I stare at the spot where they vanished. My hands are shaking in my lap.

If only I had shut up. If only I'd kept my guilt to myself.

"Maya?"

I jump. Oblivious to the fact that Jax is still standing there like a confused idiot. Hands shoved in his jersey pockets, head tilted like he's trying to solve a puzzle.

His hands land on my shoulders, warm and solid. He turns me to face him.

"Are you okay?" He raises his brows inquisitively

The concern in his voice catches me off guard. That easy, flirtatious mask he always wears is gone. He's actually looking at me with concern.

My throat tightens. "I don't know who I am anymore"

The words tumble out before I can stop myself from spewing nonsense. Complete nonsense.

Jax's brows draw together. His grip on my shoulders tightens slightly, like he's trying to anchor me. "I don't get it. What do you.."

"Is this really your girlfriend, Jax?"

We both turn. Reporters flood toward us like a wave, cameras raised, microphones thrust forward.

"When did you two start dating?"

"How did you meet?"

"Is this serious? Will it be a long-term relationship?"

The questions come fast, overlapping and suffocating. I am utterly embarrassed. Heat fods my face. I want to run, to cut through them and disappear. Anything to get away from here. But my feet won't move. I'm rooted to the ground, trapped.

Jax's arm slides around my waist. "Come on."

He starts walking, forcing the crowd to part. "No comment. No comment."

But they won't take no for an answer. That's how reporters are. Always looking for every opportunity to know the latest gossip. Persistence is their currency. Isn't that their means of livelihood anyway?

"Just one question, Jax!"

"Maya, how does it feel dating a hockey star?"

"Are you aware of his reputation?"

“Will you get tired and leave him along the line?

I feel like a ghost floating beside him,rather than a person.Nothing feels real. Not the cameras, not the questions, not even Jax's arm around me.

I just want to go home. I want to see Leo. That will help me feel a little better.

The taxi ride home takes forty-five minutes, but it passes in a blur. Buildings and streetlights blend together outside the window. My mind is stuck at the rink, replaying the moment over and over.

Finn,his jaw tightening.Walking away.

When I finally stumble through my apartment door, I kick off my heels immediately. They clatter against the hardwood, and I collapse onto the couch. My feet throb. I've been in those shoes all day.

After a moment, I force myself up and head to the kitchen. Water. I need water.

The glass is halfway to the tap when Lina appears in the doorway, a towel in her hands.

"Oh! You're home."

Lina's been my babysitter for three months now. A university student with a bright smile and endless patience. I found her through a social media post.Single mom needs help.and she responded within hours. We clicked immediately.

"How's Leo?" I ask, abandoning the water.

"Asleep. Finally." She grins. "He fought it for a while, but exhaustion won."

"Typical of him" A weak smile tugs at my lips.

I move down the hallway to Leo's room and ease the door open. He's sprawled across his bed, one arm thrown over his head, his favorite stuffed frog tucked under the other. His chest rises and falls steadily.

I cross the room and press a kiss to his forehead. He stirs slightly, and I pull the covers up over his shoulders before slipping back out.

Lina's on the couch when I return. I drop down beside her with a heavy sigh.

"Long day?" she asks.

"You have no idea. Uggh stress"I groan, throwing my head back and leaning into the couch.

"How are the hockey games treating you.I hear the star players are jerks."

I just look at her slowly, hold my head in my hands and close my eyes. "You can never imagine."

"Speaking of which…" Lina shifts closer. "How was the rink today? How did you…"

My phone buzzes in my bag before I can answer. The sound is sharp and insistent.

What Is it again?

I dig it out. Three notifications light up the screen.Lina leans over to look. We're close enough that I don't mind.

I tap the first one.

#NewCoupleAlert

A photo loads. It's me and Jax at the rink. His arm is wrapped around my waist, and we're both looking at the camera. He's grinning. I look like I'm about to bolt.

The comments from several busy bodies are already exploding.

OMG they're so cute together!

Wait who is she???

Lucky girl

I swipe to the next notification.

This photo is different.

It's Finn. Celeste is beside him, but he's not looking at her. He's staring off to the side, jaw clenched, expression dark. You don't need context to see he's upset.

The caption makes my stomach twist.

Trouble in paradise for Finn Callahan?

"Yikes," Lina mutters. Giving me a knowing look as if she knows i have raised up a lot of dust.

I avoid her eyes,flip the phone face-down on the couch and close my eyes again.

"Maya…"

"Don't." I silence her.

She goes quiet.

After Lina leaves, I lie stretched out on the couch, star

ing at the ceiling. My phone sits dark and silent on the coffee table.

I already know what tomorrow will bring.

A whole lot of trouble.