Page 42 of Empty Net

Why the distinction is important, I’m not sure, but it is. I want to hear that Lilah watches me.

She swallows. “Yes, Fox, I watch you.”

“Good.”

“Good?”

“Yeah.” I nod. “And stop apologizing for these assholes. It’s not your fault they’re like that.”

“No, but it’s my fault you’re here. You’re doing me a favor. That favor didn’t include being treated like shit.”

“You warned me, Lilah. Several times in different ways. I knew what I was walking into.” I didn’t think it would be this bad, but still. “So, stop. It’s fine. It’s just one night, right?”

She nods. “Right.”

“Then we got this.”

She blows out a breath. “Okay. I just…” Another exhale. “Thank you, Fox.”

“Of course,” I say, meaning it.Of courseI’d help her like this. I like Lilah. I wouldn’t leave her to deal with these people on her own. “Now, I’m going to use the restroom, and then we’re going to dance, drink some more, and have the absolute time of our lives. Deal?”

She offers me a small smile. “You had me at drinking.”

I laugh, shaking my head at her before pushing off the bar and through the crowd, searching for the restroom. A few people stop me on my way, asking me who I am and who I’m here with. Some even recognize and congratulate me on getting a point in the last game, which definitely feels like a backhanded compliment.

I’m almost out of the crowd when a deep voice that sounds familiar has me stopping in my tracks.

“We aren’t letting that continue, right?” Deacon asks, every word dripping with disgust.

I step a little closer, staying just out of their periphery as I do something my mother warned me against so many times over the years—I eavesdrop.

“Of course we aren’t, my love,” Selene says. “Thishockey playeris just a phase.” They have no clue I’m even standing here, no idea I can hear them clearly. “She’s upset with me because I set her up with Doug Peterson.”

Deacon groans. “Of course she is. Doug is a loser.”

“He’s CEO of Peterson Projects!”

“Only in name. His father is still the one pulling the strings because Doug can’t close a deal to save his life.”

“Fine. Thenyoube the one to find someone who wants to date thattrain wreck,” her mother hisses.

Train wreck?Is that what they think of their daughter?

“I will, and I’ll damn sure do better than Doug Peterson or some hockey player inthirdplace. Can’t even find someone who isn’t a loser on the ice.” He huffs. “I’ll find someone good enough for her, someone who would benefit this family, too, whose name will make a good addition. I’ll get her back on track. Don’t worry, love.”

I’m not mad they’re insulting me. Not at all.

No. I’m mad that even though Lilah has told them over and over to butt out of her love life, even though she’s showing them she’s in a relationship—albeit a fake one—they arestilltrying to interfere. Fuck them, and fuck that.

I turn on my heel, returning to where I left Lilah at the bar.

“That was fast,” she says when I reappear. “Or did you need help finding it? Or help in general? While I like you, I don’t know if our relationship is that deep. I?—”

“Do you trust me?”

She blinks at my interruption. “I…” Her brows draw tightly together. “Yes, I trust you, Fox. What’s going on?”

“Come with me.”

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