Fake Dating My Ex's Favourite Hockey Player novel Chapter 38

EMILIA

Evening comes around faster than I expect, and to my absolute horror, Liam and I are forced to drag ourselves to the deck for some grand announcement from the soon-to-be-weds.

I feel like I’ve said this a million times, but the cruise is massive — so big that the thirty-something guests on board feel like a drop in the ocean.

Either they’re too busy lounging in their luxury suites, avoiding Liam and me, or this ship is just that enormous, because after running into Stone, we don’t see a single familiar face.

Not that I’m complaining.

Liam’s hand is warm in mine as we make our way to the deck, his thumb tracing idle circles against my skin like he doesn’t even realise he’s doing it.

I don’t know if it’s meant to be comforting or if he just likes touching me, but either way, it’s convincing enough.

My heart shouldn’t be beating this fast from something so simple.

“Remind me again why we’re going to this thing?” I mumble, leaning into him slightly.

“Because we’re technically guests and stuffing your face in rice all night will only make them talk more.”

I groan. “Who cares what they say?”

His smirk is unfairly charming. “You do.”

I hate that he’s right.

Clicking my tongue, I switch topics. “Have you heard from Tess?”

Liam’s lips twitch, amusement dancing in his eyes. “What? You two having a lover’s spat?”

“Something like that.”

He hums, like he already knows more than he’s letting on. “She sent over our schedule and a list of protocols. The usual.”

I sigh. Of course she did. Tess is nothing if not terrifyingly efficient. She could probably organise a royal wedding in under an hour and still have time to scold me for not answering her texts.

“What’s on the schedule?” I ask, mostly to distract myself from the way Liam’s fingers are still casually laced with mine.

He squeezes my hand, like he can read my mind. “Dinner, social media posts, and a whole lot of pretending we’re thrilled to be here.” His voice dips into something lower, teasing. “And if you’re really well-behaved, I might even sneak you some dessert.”

I roll my eyes, but my lips curve into a smile anyway. “Lucky me.”

We finally make it to the deck, and for a second, I think we’re the last ones to arrive — until I glance around and realise Zane and Becca are nowhere to be seen.

Not that I’m complaining.

Liam and I find an open seat beneath one of the shaded umbrellas, a round table with four chairs tucked under it.

Two women are already sitting there. They’re both stunning and effortlessly poised. They’re Becca’s guests.

Lacey and Céline.

Liam introduces us, apparently Lacey and Céline are models, he and Lacey met during a photoshoot for a fashion campaign, and Céline is Lacey’s best friend and plus one.

I’m surprised by how easy they are to talk to.

Céline’s French accent is thick, melodic, so nice to listen to that sometimes I forget I’m supposed to be listening. I have to ask her to repeat herself a few times, but she never seems to mind.

Lacey’s sharp-witted, the kind of effortlessly cool that makes you want to be her best friend and steal her wardrobe all at once.

I exhale, tension I didn’t even realise I was holding finally slipping away. The first unfamiliar faces I’ve talked to today, and they’re actually... nice.

It shouldn’t feel like such a relief, but it does.

Lacey tilts her sunglasses down, studying Liam with a smirk. “Never thought we’d be meeting again at your girlfriend’s ex’s wedding cruise.”

Liam shakes his head with a grin. “That makes two of us.”

“I personally think it’s more unbelievable I’m getting to meet you. Lacey never told me you guys have met.” Céline shoots her best friend an accusatory look.

Lacey raises her hands in surrender. “Didn’t cross my mind once. I swear. Besides, I was kinda starstruck too, y’know? Then I met him and he’s just an over-hyped loser.”

“Ha fucking ha. Hilarious, Lacey.”

She grins. “I know.”

Lacey’s words don’t comfort Céline at all, because she’s still so obviously starstruck. I can’t help but smile, she must be a really huge fan. “I’m sorry, but I just can’t get over this. So, you’re the Liam Calloway? Like the real one?”

Liam leans back in his chair, easy and relaxed. “Depends on what you’ve heard.”

Céline hums thoughtfully. “That you are either the golden boy of hockey or a menace off ice. It depends who you ask.”

I snort. “Both are accurate.”

Liam turns to me, feigning offense. “Et tu, Emilia?”

Céline laughs, and Lacey nudges my arm. “And you — Emilia, right? You’re all over social media these days it kinda feels like I know you personally now. Plus, Bec hasn’t shut up about you.”

I brace myself. “Oh?”

She waves a hand. “Nothing bad, surprisingly. Just that you’d be here.”

“Wow,” I say dryly. “I’m touched.”

Lacey grins, but before she can say anything else, a hush falls over the deck.

A few heads turn toward the entrance, and like some kind of scripted moment from a rom-com, Zane and Becca finally make their grand entrance.

Zane, effortlessly cool in a fitted button-down, walks like the whole ship belongs to him.

Becca, on his arm, looks like a goddamn dream — perfectly styled, glowing, the kind of beautiful that makes you feel like you need to check your reflection.

I should be over it by now. Shouldn’t feel anything. Shouldn’t care.

But the way Zane’s eyes flicker toward me — just for a second, just long enough to register something unreadable — makes my stomach twist anyway.

The feeling doesn’t last long. Not after I remember the way he acted in my bakery a few weeks ago — like I was nothing. Like all the years we spent together meant less than the crumbs on the floor.

“The accommodations are finally prepared,” Zane announces. “Everyone can go find their suites. Tomorrow will be packed, so get as much rest as possible.”

He flashes a charming, practiced smile.

I roll my eyes.

Everyone starts murmuring, finishing off their drinks, standing to leave. Liam stays seated beside me, stretching out his long legs like he’s got all the time in the world.

I glance at him. “You don’t seem in a rush.”

His lips twitch. “What’s the point? We both know they probably put us in the worst room possible. Might as well let everyone else clear out before we find out just how bad it is.”

Céline giggles, twirling a loose blonde curl around her finger. “You think they would do that?”

Liam grins. “Oh, I know they would.”

“Not everyone is as petty as you are, Calloway,” Lacey quips.

I shake my head, I can’t help but smile.

As the crowd thins out, Zane finally makes his way toward our section, Becca trailing behind him. His eyes skim over me like I’m barely worth noticing before settling on Liam.

“I trust you’ll be comfortable,” he says smoothly, but there’s a hardness in his tone.

I raise an eyebrow. Not so fond of his favourite hockey player anymore?

Liam leans back in his chair. “We’re looking forward to it,” he drawls, a slow smirk playing at his lips.

I cross my arms and turn to Becca. “Should we be expecting a dungeon or—?”

She lets out a light laugh, resting a delicate hand on Zane’s arm. “Oh, Emilia,” she purrs. “Are you always so dramatic?”

I flash my sweetest, most insincere smile. “Just making sure I’m prepared for whatever hospitality you have planned.”

Zane’s jaw tenses for a fraction of a second before he covers it with a smirk. “Enjoy your night.” He says this to Liam of course, I’m met with silent treatment.

He turns on his heel, Becca clinging to him like she’s never known struggle a day in her life.

Liam waits until they’re out of earshot before murmuring, “I swear, if we get to our suites and find mattresses on the floor—”

I sigh. “You’re extremely pessimistic, aren’t you?”

He stands, holding out a hand to me. “Not without good reason.”

I take it without hesitation.

I wish there was a mattress on the floor, after all. I would take it over the alternative.

A beautiful, cozy suite...

With only one bed.