Page 37 of Empty Net

Keller: Foxy?

Fox: I think he should stay.

Keller: LOL, just kidding. It’s 4–1. He’s gone.

Keller: Bye bye, Lawsy!

Lawson: NO! No, no, no!

Lawson: I’m not going anywhere.

Lawson: You aren’t kicking me out. It’s not happening. RIGHT?

Lawson: Guys?

Lawson: GUYS???

Lawson: SOMEONE COME BACK AND LOVE ME!

Fox: I still love you, Lawsy.

Lawson: This is why you’re my favorite, Fox.

Lawson: I take back all I said about you getting freaky with Lilah on the dance floor. You do you, baby. You do you.

Fox: Uh, thanks, I guess?

Lawson: Any time, bestie. <3

Keller: Fucking hell. I really hate this group chat sometimes.

Lawson: LOVE YOU, KELLER!

Keller: Once again, I am begging you, DELETE ME.

CHAPTER 8

FOX

“Sorry!” I yell as I race up the first portion of what looks to be a never-ending staircase to where she’s waiting for me. “I know I’m late. We had a promo thing that lasted forever, and then there was traffic because this is Seattle, and that’s just the way of life here, and I’m just so…sorry.”

The last word slips off my lips in a whisper as I get a look at my date for the evening. Lilah looked gorgeous at the New Year’s Eve party, but tonight? In a floor-length midnight-purple dress that hugs every inch of her curves? Well, I probably shouldn’t have worn such tight pants, that’s for sure.

My cock grows hard against my slacks, and I hope like hell my lateness is enough to distract Lilah from the fact that I have a boner right now. I try to think about any and everything else, something to distract me, but it’s no use. Instead, I pretend what’s happening in my pants isn’t happening as I close the gap between us.

“You look… Well, breathtaking is a word that comes to mind.”

In a rare moment of vulnerability, Lilah blushes, and I take entirely too much pleasure in that.

She brushes a hand over her hair, which looks flawless. “I bet you a hundred bucks my mother will have something to complain about when we walk in there.”

I hate that she’s likely right.

“And I will gladly tell her she’s wrong.”

Her blue eyes flash toward me, and I’m rewarded with another blush.

“Come on,” she says, wrapping her hand around my arm. “We’d better get in there before she sends the army out looking for me.”

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