Page 82 of Empty Net

He’s lying?Locke asks.

Oh, he’s big-time lying, Hutch confirms.

I gulp, glad Keller, Lawson, and Hayes are locked in an argument about whether my impromptu proposal was romantic or stupid. If you ask me, I don’t think any of them would know romance if it bit them in the ass, especially Lawson. Maybe that’s why Rory is so into him. She’s not touchy-feely, and Lawson is as unromantic as they come.

Lawson finally throws his hands up, fed up with it all, and steps forward, wrapping his arms around me and hugging me until I’m forced to hug him back.

“Completely idiotic or not, we’re happy for you, buddy. And I, for one, can’t wait to be your best man.”

“Thanks,” I tell him. “You’re not my best man, though.”

He pulls away, his face crumpled in hurt. “But…but…best friends.”

“For fuck’s sake.” Keller rolls his eyes with a groan. “Go get ready for the game.”

Lawson walks away, grumbling something about friendship hierarchy, and I’m certain I’ve not heard the last of his feelings on it.

Keller steps up, clapping me once on the shoulder. “Congrats, man. I think you’re dumb as fuck for getting married because it ruins your life, but congrats.”

“Thank you. I think.”

He shrugs, then pushes past me. He heads for his stall to get ready, his brows drawn tighter together than I’ve seen in a while, like something has him upset. I make a mental note to check in on him later.

“Happy for you,” Hayes says, giving me an awkward pat on the head. “Quinn likes Lilah, so that’s good enough for me.”

I nod at him as he moves away. Then it’s just me, Hutch, and Locke, both looking too smug.

“What?” I ask.

They exchange a glance. I don’t like it one bit.

Locke breaks first, grinning. “Nothing, man. Very happy for you with this sudden turn of events.”

But he doesn’tsoundhappy. He sounds like he knows something, and it’s got me feeling all kinds of nervous.

“I think you and Lilah are perfect together.”

“You do?”

“Sure.” Again, he doesn’t sound sure, but I don’t have the chance to say anything else before he walks away, leaving me to face Hutch alone.

When I finally get the courage to look my captain in the eyes, I know I’m in for a major ass-chewing.

I sigh. “Just get on with it.”

“Get on with what? I wasn’t going to say anything.”

I grind my molars together. “Yes, you were, so just say it.”

He lifts a shoulder. “I really don’t have anything to say, Fox, and if I did, I’m sure it wouldn’t be anything you didn’t hear earlier from Auden.”

Fuck. I guess that confirms that Auden knew I was in Lilah’s apartment.

“Look,” I say, stepping closer and lowering my voice so the other guys don’t hear, “I know it sounds crazy, but it’s totally fake, okay? We know what we’re doing here.”

Another grin, and for the first time ever, I want to take a page out of Keller’s book and throw a punch to make it disappear. I’m not usually a violent man, but I hate this feeling, as if Hutch has one up on me or something. I don’t think he’d ever do anythingto betray Lilah and me and tell anyone, but still. It makes me feel so…bad.

I hate feeling bad. I want to be good.

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