Filed to story: Katy and Brayden Cooper Novel
I inhale and march toward Bryan, who is leaning against my room door. Allie must’ve refused to let him in which explains the calls. My best friend protected our space.
Good job, Allie.
As if sensing me, Bryan lifts his head. His gaze finds mine, and he straightens slowly, pushing off the wall. One hand slips into his pocket, like he’s posing for an audience. His eyes drag over me, and it makes my skin crawl.
It’s unsettling how much he looks like Braydon with the same sharp jawline, same easy posture, but where Braydon makes my chest tighten in all the confusing ways, Bryan makes bile rise in my throat now. Every resemblance between them feels like an insult and all I can think about is how badly I want him gone.
“What do you want?” I ask, stopping a few steps in front of him.
“I should be asking you that.” His eyebrows lift, like he’s amused.
I scoff. “You’re the one camped outside my room. Or did you suddenly move in? Grow a p***y and now you’re a girl?”
His smirk fades. He steps closer, his posture becoming menacing, but I plant my feet and meet his eyes.
“Where’s my jacket?” he grinds out. “I’m here for it, not to see you or waste words.”
The way he says it drags a wave of anger through me but I don’t let it show. Instead, I tip my chin and smirk at him.
“You should’ve asked Allie. She knows where I keep things meant for the trash.”
His jaw tightens, but before he can spit out another word, I push past him and swipe my key card. The door clicks open and I slip inside, shutting him out.
Allie is sprawled on the couch, but the second she sees me, her eyes widen and she’s on her feet. “Sweet Jesus,” she blurts. “Where have you been? I’ve been texting and calling nonstop.”
“I was with Braydon,” I tell her simply, brushing toward my room.
I push open my door, drop my bag onto the bed, and kick my shoes into the corner. The wardrobe creaks as I tug it open.
Allie follows, leaning against the doorframe now, her eyes fixed on me like she’s waiting for more.
I pull Bryan’s jacket from its hanger, only to turn and find Allie stepping forward, and blocking the doorway.
“If you’re returning that, shouldn’t we smear it with something foul?” She asks, her gaze sliding toward the bathroom like she’s already making plans. “I can do it if you still have feelings for him.”
I roll my eyes. “He’s already shitty and foul enough. We don’t need to add to it.”
She scrunches her nose, the look she always gives when she doesn’t agree with me.
Unlike me, Allie’s a rabid woman. I know if she were in my shoes, she’d torch this jacket, grind the ashes, and blow them in his face with a smile.
But that’s not me. I like to think I’m civilized, at least to some extent. Violence is supposed to be the last resort.
I pull open the door. Bryan is still there and without a word, I shove the jacket toward him.
His eyes trail from my face to the jacket, then back up again, searching for something.
“I’d appreciate it if you don’t show up at my dorm again,” I say. “If you remember anything else that belongs to you, send a message through Allie. Don’t bother texting me because you’re blocked everywhere. Even email.”
His lips twitch, but he quickly masks it with a smug look. “You don’t have to pretend to be tough, Katy.”
Pretend? My brows arch, heat sparking in my chest.
“I’m not you, Bryan,” I fire back. “I don’t need to play a role. I live my life unapologetically as myself. If there’s anyone pretending here, it’s the guy standing in front of me instead of getting out of here.”
For a second, his jaw works, like I’ve struck something raw. Then he leans in, closing the space between us and my body betrays me with a small, instinctive step back.
Damn my body for flinching. Damn my heart for even aching at all.
“I know about your little game with Braydon,” he sneers.
My heart lurches.
For a split second, my eyes almost widen, but I force them still. I swallow hard, fighting to keep my face neutral even as my pulse hammers in my ears. He knows? What does that even mean? Did he somehow figure it out? But how?
I search his expression, but he only looks more confident, like he’s holding cards I don’t have.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say flatly, lifting my shoulders in a careless shrug I don’t feel.
He snorts, his mouth curling in disdain. “Please. I know you’re desperate to prove me wrong but moving on with Braydon?” His eyes drag over me with something like disgust. “That’s low. Even for you.”
I scoff. “Low? In what position do you get to judge anyone, Bryan? Or are you jealous?”
He shrugs, throwing his hand up as he steps back. “I’m just trying to help you out, Katy. You’re not his type. It’s going to sting when he turns you down, and it’ll sting bad. Save yourself the heartache.
My stomach knots, then slowly unwinds as his meaning clicks. Oh. That’s what he thinks. He doesn’t actually know about the deal between me and Braydon. He’s convinced I’m chasing Braydon.
Of course.
I curl my fingers into a fist, my nails pressing against my palm. “You’re my ex, Bryan. Stop digging into my life or I might actually report you for stalking.” Then I let a smirk slide across my face. “And whatever you’ve heard, Braydon’s the one who came to me at the library. He even brought me a drink and I didn’t ask for any of it.”
I pause, tapping a finger lightly against my jaw as if the thought has just occurred to me. “Or maybe…” My eyes flick back to him. “…he’s the one trying to get my attention.”
His face shifts like someone just smacked him with a textbook. His eyes go darker, and for once, he doesn’t have a comeback ready.
I step closer, closing the gap on purpose. “Tell me, Bryan,” I say, lowering my voice, “what do you think it means when your brother leaves his hockey jacket for me?” My gaze drops to the one clutched in his hand. “Maybe you two have more in common than you think. You show affection in similar ways.”
His jaw tightens so hard I almost hear it.
“Keep lying to yourself,” he spits through gritted teeth. “If you’re going to chase someone, you’d be foolish to pick Braydon. He’s fucked half of Cadston, and the other half are probably on a waitlist.
He likes his girls nasty and experienced, not… whatever you are. He’ll get bored before you even make it to a kiss.”
Then he spins on his heel and storms off down the hall, muttering something under his breath.
I lean against the doorway, letting out a slow breath. My heart’s still pounding, but a smile creeps in anyway.
He thinks he knows everything but he doesn’t know a damn thing.
This is just the beginning, Bryan. And I can’t wait to watch your fragile little ego crack.