Fake Dating My Ex's Favourite Hockey Player novel Chapter 124

EMILIA

I don’t know how long I stand there, staring at the spot Diana just left.

Everything feels unreal — like the air’s been punched out of the room and hasn’t returned. I clench my fists, willing myself to move, and head for Tessa’s room.

I try not to think about what Diana said. Try not to picture her face. Try not to feel anything at all.

When I reach the door, I notice the lock — turned from the outside. The key’s still in the handle. All I have to do is twist it.

I open the door.

Tessa’s on the floor, legs crossed, laptop balanced on her knees. Reading glasses perched on her nose. She squints at me.

“You’re dressed up,” she says, dryly. “So I’m guessing the surprise went well? I’m also guessing you got rid of the psychopath? I would’ve called you, but she took my phone like I was being punished.”

I don’t answer. Just move to the ground beside her, awkward in my dress. I smooth it out and lean over to peek at her screen.

“Are you working?”

“Was.” She lets out a small sigh and closes the report she was drafting, switching tabs. “I figured I’d get ahead with all the alone time. But /since you’re here-” she holds out her hand. “Phone?”

I hand it over. She checks it quickly, her expression flickering something disappointed flashes across her face, but she buries it just as fast. Then, without missing a beat, she turns the laptop toward me.

“I was thinking,” she says, her voice quieter now. “We should probably start baby–proofing the

The words catch me off guard. For a second I just blink at her.

“You’re… keeping the baby?”

apartment.”

She doesn’t respond right away. Instead, she scrolls through a page full of pastel baby clothes, teething rings, and miniature furniture. Then, finally, her voice breaks the silence.

“You got rid of Diana, right?”

“I did.” still on the screen.

“Girl’s not all there, you know.”

“Did you knock some sense into her while you were at it?” She leans back slightly, eyes

My lips twitch. I try to suppress it, but the laugh escapes anyway. Loud. Sudden. Real.

Tessa glances over and then bursts out laughing too. “Right? She’s completely unhinged.”

“Like–what was her plan? Buy furniture for someone else’s apartment and then just leave?”

“And it wasn’t even good furniture!” Tessa wheezes, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes. “Did you see the leopard–print rug? I thought my eyes were bleeding.”

“Oh my god, that rug,” I say, laughing so hard my ribs start to hurt. “She really thinks expensive means tasteful. It looked like something out of a cursed zoo exhibit.”

“She unpacked everything, Emilia. Rearranged half the apartment. There’s a wine rack in the kitchen now. An actual wine rack.”

“Well, thank God,” I say. “Now your Pinot Noir can stop chilling beside the ketchup.”

“I’m sorry for being fiscally responsible,” she sniffs. “Wine racks are like, luxury purchases. I’ve been saving up for a new MacBook.”

“And a baby now, too,” I add, snorting as I clutch the test results Diana handed me like they’re made of fire. “So what happened? Feeling more maternal today?”

“Oh, fuck no.” Tessa scoffs, smiling faintly as she scrolls through her laptop. “The more I thought about it, the more it felt like

1/4

I was

3:42 PM P P

Chapter 124

dying. But then your sister locked me in here. She’s still a complete lunatic, and I swear if I ever see her again, I’m calling the cops.”

She pauses, then shrugs. “But… weirdly? Being locked in gave me space. No one talking at me, no one expecting anything. Just quiet. It was kind of nice.”

Her voice softens as she stares at the screen. “I’ve been panicking so much I forgot how to think. I used to be level–headed. Rational. And now? I’m googling ‘cribs with built–in sound machines‘ like some Pinterest zombie.”

She lets out a half–laugh. “Anyway. This is me taking responsibility. I fucked around, and now I’m dealing with the fallout. I wanted my job? I have to be the best at it. Got myself knocked up? Well, guess I’m aiming for Mom of the Year. I just… forgot who I was for a second, I think.”

Then she groans. “And Lyle? Seriously? What was I on? That man has the charisma of a folding chair. You can find ten of him at any rave in Manhattan. I blame you for not slapping sense into me sooner.”

I grin, warmth blooming in my chest

–

and not just from relief. Is it weird to feel proud of her?

“You forget you only told me about your tragic taste in men, like, yesterday,” I say, pulling the folded sheet of paper from my pocket. “And… speaking of things you’re going to hate.”

She narrows her eyes at it. “What is that?”

She

“Something from Diana. I’m apologising in advance.”

Tessa takes the paper slowly, holding it like it might detonate. “Should I brace myself?”

I hesitate. “Let’s just say you’re not going to love it.”

Tessa unfolds the paper slowly, eyes scanning each line. Her expression shifts from confusion to horror in real time. By the end, her face is pale.

“Tessa―” I start, already scrambling to explain. “I didn’t know she switched the results, I swear. I only just found out when she-”

But she’s already putting her laptop aside and climbing to her feet like a woman on a mission.

“Tessa, wait–”

“You absolutely cannot. We’re going on an alcohol ban in this house.”

She clutches her chest. “You’re punishing me for being not pregnant?”

“You don’t deserve wine, you gremlin.”

She throws a cushion at me. I catch it with one hand.

+20

“I don’t have to budget for a baby anymore!” she sings, springing off the couch. “Do you know what that means, Emilia? I can finally buy that ridiculous overpriced office chair that hugs your spine like a lover. I can go to that sushi place that charges you rent just to sit down.”

I narrow my eyes. “You’re way too excited about this. What happened to taking responsibility a few minutes ago?”

“Taking responsibility for me,” she says, spinning toward the kitchen. “Not for a hypothetical child I was manipulated into believing existed.”

“You scare me sometimes.”

“I scare myself most times.” Then she pauses dramatically, eyes lighting up. “We’re celebrating.”

“Tessa-”

“You owe me. I’ve been traumatised. Twice. In a single week.” She grabs two wine glasses from the cupboard. “It’s not drinking, it’s emotional self–medication.”

“Put the wine down.”

“Make me.”

I’m halfway across the room, chasing her like a babysitter on her last nerve, when my phone buzzes.

Just got home. Safe and sound. Miss you already. Call me if you’re still up.

I slow to a stop, heart stupidly fluttering.

Tessa notices. “Aw,” she coos, dodging me with the bottle still in hand. “Is that your boyfriend? You gonna go cry on the phone together and say ‘I love you‘ five times before hanging up?”

“Keep talking and I’ll forward him your therapy bills.”

She sticks her tongue out.

But honestly? Everything feels… light. Like maybe we’re okay. Maybe we’re going to be okay.

I grab my phone, smiling. “Go start the episode. I’ll call him quick.”

“Fine, but if Jessica’s goat gets shot again, you’re taking the fall.”

“Deal.”

She vanishes down the hall, muttering something about farm justice.

And I hit call.