Page 20 of Empty Net

I force myself to smile. “He sure is.”

“Well, I can’t wait to meet you at my husband’s birthday party. You will be there, correct?”

“Remind me of the date, Lilah?”

“Saturday evening,” I tell him.

Fox mentally does the math, rolling team names off his lips in a whisper, and I hold my breath. Why? I don’t know. I can’tdecide if I want him to be able to attend or not. On the one hand, it’ll save me from a terrible date my mother will still set up for me because it would just besoembarrassing if I came alone. But on the other…well, I am stillnotdating Fox.

“Yes,” he says after a few moments of silence. “Yes, I can make it.”

“Oh, wonderful!” My mother claps her hands excitedly. “I’m so looking forward to meeting you.”

“Likewise, ma’am. I’ve heard so many lovely things about you and Mr. Maddison,” my newboyfriendsays.

My mother snorts unattractively. “Oh, Mr. Fox, I highly doubt that given my daughter’s displeasure toward me, but I appreciate you trying to cover for her.”

Fox’s hand tightens around my waist, but his smile never slips. It’s the only indication I have that he doesn’t care for her words, and I don’t know why it brings me such comfort, but it does.

“I hate to cut this short, but would it be too much trouble if I stole Lilah away from you for a bit? I would love to have the next dance with her.”

My mother clutches her chest. “Such a gentleman.” She shoos us off. “Yes, yes. Go. Enjoy your evening.”

“Thank you.” He dips his head toward her. “You have a happy New Year, Mrs. Maddison.”

She waves. “Oh, stop with that. You can call me Selene.”

“Have a great night, Selene.”

“You too, Arthur. And, Lilah, we’ll chat later, yes?”

It’s not truly a request. It’s a demand. Maybe it’s the booze giving me courage, but I don’t dignify it with a response. I just hang up. When the screen goes black, I shrug off Fox’s embrace and fling my arms into the air.

“What the hell was that,Arthur?” He winces, presumably at the use of his first name, and I’m glad it upsets him because again—what the hell? “How could you… Why would you…”

I can’t even form a proper question right now. I’m still too stunned. Fox—the Seattle Serpents’ number one goaltender—just told my mother he is my boyfriend andvolunteeredto attend a party my snooty parents are hosting. I can’t believe this is happening right now. When I said earlier I’d find someone, I didn’t mean someone like Fox. I meant someone who would actually survive an evening with those awful people.

He lifts a shoulder. “Seemed like you were in a pickle.”

The gesture is so nonchalant. Hiswordsare so nonchalant, like absolutely none of this is bothering him.

“Seemed like you were in a pickle,” I mutter, shaking my head. “You’re… You…”

But again, the words don’t come. How can he be so cool about this? So calm? Does he even realize what he’s just done? What he’s subjecting himself to? Does he know what kind of world I come from? How even though he makes millions a year, they’re still going to judge him for it because he’s not sitting in an office all day, bossing around minions?

He slides a hand through his hair. “I take it you’re mad.”

“Of course I’m mad!” I finally explode, and for a moment, I worry I’m being too loud, worry maybe someone inside will see me out here completely losing my cool and I’ll embarrass Auden, but I don’t care.

He can’t do this.

“What were you thinking?”

Another unbothered shrug. “You needed help.”

“I didn’t needyourhelp,” I sneer, crossing my arms over my chest, the cold of the night setting in. I didn’t realize how chilly it was before, too incensed by my mother’s words andthen warmed by Fox’s touch, but now I feel the full force of the December air.

I’m not sure why I’m being so mean. Fox is nice—toonice of a guy sometimes, if you ask me—but this? This is taking things a bit too far.

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