Page 29 of Empty Net

“Me either. Has drinking always felt this awful?”

“We’re thirty now, so I think this is just how we live. I have no idea how Hutch went to practice this morning. I don’t even remember him leaving. I think I was still drunk when he got up.”

“Probably the fact that he’s being paid millions.”

“What’s a couple million dollars?” she mutters.

I laugh—internally only because laughing out loud hurts too much—becauseof courseAuden wouldn’t care about a few million dollars. Her fortune from building Sinclair Properties and selling it for a huge profit far exceeds the “few million” her boyfriend makes. Even though Auden is ridiculously wealthy, she doesn’t lord that over anyone. She’s probably one of the most down-to-earth people I know, and it’s one of my favorite things about her.

“Speaking of the Serpents, did you leave with Fox last night, or was that a figment of my very, very drunk imagination? And if so, does that mean the dry spell is officially over?”

Until now, I hadn’t considered the implications of leaving the party with Fox, especially since I knew he was simply being a gentleman and had no other agenda.

“Not a hallucination, and no, the dry spell is still sadly ongoing. Fox was just doing the noble thing and ensuring I got home safely.”

“So, nothing happened between you two? I know you have that crush on him.”

“I do not have a crush!” It comes out much louder than I intended, and my head pounds so hard I swear I’m going to vomit.

It’s worth it, though. Auden needs to know Idon’thave a crush on Fox.Ineed to know I don’t have a crush on him, especially since we’re pretending to date. The last thing I want is for this to turn into something it isn’t. Yes, I like Fox, but I don’t want him to think this is anything it isn’t. I was serious when Isaid I don’t do relationships. I don’t want Fox to get invested in this, because I couldn’t bear hurting him.

“Okay, jeez. No need to yell.”

“Which is it—was I yelling earlier or just now?”

“Both.” I roll my eyes. “I mean, you saidsadlythe dry spell is ongoing, implying that you wanted it to be broken.”

“Not with Fox,” I insist. “Because I don’t have a crush on him.”

“I believe you.”

But I don’t tell her the other part. I don’t tell her I’m apparently dating this man I don’t have a crush on. I don’t know why I keep quiet about it. Maybe because it’s not that big of a deal, and it’s just for one night. Or maybe because I’m scared she’ll tell me I’m making a huge mistake, and the last thing I want is for her to be disappointed in me.

Whatever it is, I keep it to myself.

“Well, boo.”

“Boo?” I ask.

“Yeah. I don’t know. I just thought… I thought you and Fox would make a cute couple, you know? He’s so nice and reserved and such a Southern gentleman, and you’re…”

“A complete mess?”

She laughs. “Not at all. You’re justyou, you know? You’re loud and free, and you’re Lilah.”

I nod because I know what she means. Fox and I make zero sense together, and I fear my mother will realize it the second we walk into the party. She’s never going to believe we’re actually dating.

“Thank you?”

“It’s a good thing. I promise.”

“Well, I?—”

A knock interrupts me, and I stare at the door, confused.Who the hell could this be?I didn’t order anything, and the only other people I know who know where I live are currently busy.

“Was that you or me?” Auden asks, just as surprised.

“Me.” I slowly pull myself from the couch, trying not to upset my stomach more than it already is. Maybe chugging two cups of coffee with nothing else in my system wasn’t the best idea.

---