Fake Dating My Ex's Favourite Hockey Player novel Chapter 205

Chapter 205

EMILIA

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It takes a solid few minutes to convince Liam that no, I’m not freezing to death, yes, it’s all in his head, and finally, the dagger: “What are you, my dad?” That one shuts him up fast. He looks so horrified I almost feel bad — almost. Instead, he sulks about his “misplaced concern” and how I “don’t care about his feelings” (still not sure how the two are connected, but okay). Eventually, he gives up the bit and finally leads me toward the backyard.

The bass–heavy music leaking out from the porch is one thing, but actually stepping into Owen’s backyard is dizzying. It’s a mess of bodies and voices — men I assume are his teammates, women balancing paper plates, a couple kids darting between picnic tables. It feels like walking into a different world, one that’s all loud laughter, clinking bottles, and the faint smell of charcoal.

Before I can even process the crowd, a tiny shriek cuts through the noise. “Uncle Liam!”

One of those kids, a tiny girl with black pigtails and sharp green eyes I swear I’ve seen before, bolts toward us. She’s maybe five, maybe six small enough to still have that soft roundness in her cheeks, but already sprinting like she owns the place,

And Liam — he doesn’t hesitate. He drops low, catches her mid–run, and lifts her into the air like she weighs nothing, pretending to stagger back with a dramatic “oof” “How’s this possible? You’re growing way too quickly,” he says, bouncing her against his chest. He pulls a face so exaggeratedly mournful I can’t help smiling. “What have you been doing, huh?”

Her chest swells with pride. “Eating my greens and exercising! Remember? You promised if I beat you at arm wrestling when I’m six, you’ll take me to Disney World.”

“Disneyland,” Liam corrects instantly, all mock–serious. “See? “You don’t even know the name of the place you want to go. Are you sure you’re eating all your greens? Not giving your mom any trouble?”

The little girl giggles so hard she covers her mouth with both hands, shaking her head so dramatically her pigtails whip back and forth. “Nooo trouble!”

And I–God. I’m not sure what stuns me more. The fact that she clearly adores him, or how natural he is with her.. His voice softens in a way I haven’t heard before, warm and teasing and gentle all at once. His hands are steady, his smile easy. He doesn’t think about it – doesn‘ t hesitate, doesn’t stumble. He just is.

Something twists in my chest, sharp and unfamiliar. I should probably chalk it up to low blood sugar, or maybe the beer fumes in the air. Anything but the truth that watching Liam like this does something to me.

“Show me your muscles,” Liam orders, suddenly stern, and she flexes her skinny arms with all the seriousness in the world. He gasps like she’s the Hulk. “Whoa. Guess I’d better start training extra hard. Can’t let you win that arm wrestle.”

She squeals and smacks his shoulder. “I’m gonna win! And then- Disney!”

“Disneyland,” he insists again, pinching her nose.

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