Page 133 of Empty Net

I make sure she’s tucked inside, then I close the door, rounding the truck with a smile I don’t think I’m ever going to lose.

And it’s all because of her.

CHAPTER 24

LILAH

“That’s it, baby. Yes, yes. Harder. Faster. Yes!”

Auden and I stare over at Rory, who definitely doesnotsound like she’s watching a hockey game. She’s sitting on the edge of the couch, her chin in her hands as she watches the puck zip around the rink.

“How horny are you right now?” I ask.

“What?” she asks, finally looking back at us, blinking like she’s just realized we’re in the room too. “As horny as I usually am when I’m watching hockey. Why?”

Auden and I laugh.

“Uh, because you look like you’re about to lick Lilah’s TV screen, that’s why.” Auden sets her hand against her stomach that’s just now starting to show her pregnancy. “And here I thoughtIwas supposed to be the horny one being pregnant and all.”

Rory curls her lips up at her twin. “I really thought we pinky-promised on the whole baby thing. They’re so…gross.”

“Animals are gross too.”

“Extremely gross,” Rory agrees. “Which is why I chose only one. Animals or babies, animals or babies. I choose animals.”

Auden rolls her eyes, plucking a spare pillow off my pink couch and chucking it at her sister’s head. Rory doesn’t care. She’s back to watching the game, and it’s just in time to see Fox make an incredible save. I wish I were there, but between Auden’s sudden morning sickness issues and our late-night business strategy sessions, I’m perfectly comfy on my couch between my two best friends.

“Damn! Your man is on fire!” Rory claps loudly, cupping her hands around her mouth and cheering as if Fox can hear her from the rink downtown. With how loud she’s being, he just might.

Your man.

She’s right. Fox is my man, and just thinking it makes me smile.

It’s been three weeks since our breakfast with our parents, and I can’t remember the last time I was so happy. Things were good when we were faking it, but the real thing? I don’t know. It just makes everything feel so much…more. Auden says that’s what happens when you’re in love, and I choose to believe her. How could I not with how he makes me feel? It’s like I’m walking on air yet more grounded than I’ve ever felt. I don’t understand, and I kind of never want to, either. I just want to accept it and revel in it.

The other good thing to come from that morning is I haven’t heard from my parents. It’s been crickets, and I’m perfectly okay with that. I meant every word I said to them, and I know Fox did too. He’s already told me he’ll respect me if I want to have a relationship with them and will try to be on his best behavior, but he couldn’t make any promises. It made me smile far too much.

“Seriously, Lilah?”

“What?” I turn to Auden, who is watching me closely.

“You’re thinking of Fox again, aren’t you?”

“Ugh. Again?” Rory throws herself back against the couch. “You’re so obsessed with him.”

I don’t contradict her. There’s no point. I am obsessed.

“When are you two getting married again?”

I kick Rory for even asking that question. She counters with the pillow her sister threw at her.

Fox and I have decided to keep the option open for a wedding, but one far, far,faroff in the future. We’re not officially engaged, but we’re notnotengaged either. It’s complicated, which I suppose is fitting for how this whole relationship began, but it worked for us, getting us here, so we’re rolling with it.

“Hey, hey, pregnant woman here!” Auden shields herself before stealing the pillow that’s just hit me right in the face and settling it over her protruding belly. We manage to finish the game with minimal pillow fights, and before I know it, the final buzzer is going off.

The Serpents won.Again.The camera zooms in on the team as they line up to tap helmets with Fox, Lawson giving him an extra kiss to his dome before they salute the crowd and skate off. It’s cute and makes Rory swoon, not that she’d ever admit it.

Shortly after, Auden and Rory call it a night, rushing to get home to meet their boyfriends, leaving me alone waiting for Fox. About an hour later, I hear his key in the door, and I grin from my spot on the couch as he pushes it open like this is his home too.

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