Page 100 of Empty Net

“What? It’s true. Lawson is like a whole other person after a game,” she says, still not looking away as the Serpents race up the ice with possession.

But I’m not watching the puck. My focus is solely on the man in net bent over trying to catch his breath as he watches his teammates attempt to score so they can increase their lead.

I don’t know what’s gotten into the team lately, but they’re on a hot streak, having won their last five games. It’s been fun to watch at home, but it’s even better to be sitting here at the arena. This atmosphere is electric, and the fans are on their feet for every incredible save Fox makes. It’s been that way the whole game, and now at the start of the third period with the Serpents up three goals to one, they’re really buzzing.

Fans groan when Lawson misses his shot up over the net, and the Florida team takes it back down the ice. Fox gets into position, his glove up while he tracks the puck as they getcloser…closer…and the puck goes right into the webbing of his glove. The crowd roars again, and I join right in with them, standing to cheer him on. Rory is right—itishotter to watch hockey in person.

I cup my hands around my mouth, yelling loudly along with the crowd. “Foxy, Foxy, Foxy!”

Knowing Fox, he’s likely blushing right now with all the attention, but he doesn’t let it distract him. Florida takes another puck down his way, and he stops it with his blocker. They gather the rebound and try again, but Fox is quick, pushing over and flipping his leg out and sealing it against the net. Save after save and the arena is so loud it’s deafening.

All I can think isThat’s him. That’s my guy.And I don’t even panic about it, too entranced by the stellar performance in front of me. After another fifteen minutes of the same, the Serpents earn their sixth win in a row, only allowing one goal. The team gathers around Fox, tapping him on the head before saluting the crowd and skating off.

“That was incredible! Did you see Lawson?!” Rory shouts, clapping wildly and grinning bigger than I’ve ever seen her. It’s strange at first, considering the woman hardly ever smiles, but it’s so cute how much she clearly loves him.

Auden’s no different, her face lit up with excitement, especially as they flash Hutch’s picture up on the screen.

“Tonight’s third star of the game, with two assists, is your captain, Reed Huuuuuutchinson!”

The crowd extends his name along with the announcer, the hordes of spectators stomping rhythmically. Hutch waves to the crowd, tossing a stuffed snake into the sea of people across from us.

“Tonight’s second star of the game, scoring twice and earning his 500thNHL point, is Lucas Laaaaaawson!”

Once again, the crowd roars to life, Rory maybe even being the loudest of all as her boyfriend takes a lap, tossing a stuffie into the crowd and blowing them a kiss becauseof coursehe does. He’s Lawson.

“Stopping forty-six of forty-seven goals?—”

The arena gets so loud I can’t even hear them announce Fox’s name. It’s drowned out as the “Foxy” chants start once more. It’s amazing to hear everyone scream his name like this, and all I can think is,I get to scream his name later.

Fox waves to the crowd, throwing his hands up, trying to pump the fans up even more, and they go even more wild as he skates to where we’re seated. He stops, and those espresso-colored eyes of his lock with mine.

I swear time stops…or at least that’s the only explanation I have because even though it’s only moments he stands there staring at me, it feels like hours. He chucks the stuffed snake into the crowd, everyone clamoring for it, but I don’t budge. I can’t. I’m too busy locked in a staring contest with him as a smile curves his lips. Fox winks, and heat stains my cheeks.

Auden elbows me as he skates away, everyone still cheering around us. “I saw that.”

“Saw what?”

She rolls her eyes. “You like him, Lilah. You’re happy with him.”

Iamhappy with him. Not even my mother’s obnoxiousness about our upcoming engagement party is enough to get me down. I’m sure it helps that any time I start to get stressed about it, Fox helps me “relax” by distracting me with sex or getting me out of the house. Like for our makeup Valentine’s Day date, when he took me to Pike Place and the aquarium and we spent the day playing tourists. Or last week when he took me to an arcade, and he spent over four hundred dollars just to win the giant stuffed turtle they had that he could have bought for afraction of the price. Or last night, when, after a particularly stressful day of linen shopping with my mother, he showed up at my door with a pint of butter pecan ice cream. We didn’t even fool around. He just kissed me and held me on the couch while I read to him from a fantasy novel about dragons and courage.

So Auden is right. Iamhappy with him, more than I thought I could be if I’m being honest. It’s so strange. I’ve been a serial dater all my life, never staying with someone for more than a month and never seriously. This thing with Fox has been going on for longer than that, plus it’s definitely feeling serious, and I don’t just mean because of the engagement. It’s more than that, and I can’t quite place my finger on what thatmoreis.

“So?”

“So…” She stretches out the word. “Remember what I told you, yeah?”

“I know, I know.”

Be careful, Lilah. I don’t want to see him get hurt.But I don’t think Auden realizes it’s not just Fox she needs to be worried about. It’s me too.

And I don’t know what to do about it.

“That was quite the game, Artie.”

He lifts his head, his whole face lighting up as he sees me standing against his car. He slows his pace, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

“Looks like I need to have a chat with security. They’re just letting anyone in these days, huh?”

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