Page 6 of Empty Net

Me: It is tradition.

Mama: That’s my boy. Wish you were here tonight.

I know my mother would love nothing more than to always have her children under her roof. And truthfully, I wouldn’t mind it since I hate being alone lately. It’s one of the reasons I’m one of the first to arrive to this party. I didn’t want to sit around my apartment, twiddling my thumbs for another second longer. These days, being alone leads to me watching replays, which leads to me obsessing about my game, which leads to me playing like shit. I need the distraction of tonight, something to take my mind off the way our games have gone lately, something to loosen me up so I can play better for my teammates.

I tuck my phone back into my pocket and let my eyes roam around the room. They snag on Hutch and his girlfriend, Auden, across the way, their heads together as they laugh about something. An inside joke, I’m sure.

If I had seen this display of cutesy love a few years ago, I might have made a silly comment or ribbed my teammate endlessly in the locker room. All my single teammates would have since we formed the Serpents Singles Club—or at least that’s what Lawson likes to call us—which was really just a pact to remain unattached until we each got the chance to lift the Stanley Cup over our heads.

At the time, I was content with our deal, totally on board, because why not? It wasn’t like I was against relationships or anything, but I wasn’t looking for one either. I was good with being single and having fun. But one by one, my teammates have started falling in love, leaving our agreement by the wayside, and it’s had me feeling things I never expected to feel…likelonging.

Hutch was the first to break the promise when he met Auden before last season started. There was a lot of drama around them getting together, but everything worked out in the end. Then Lawson went and fell for Auden’s twin sister, Rory. He found a puppy, stopped at Rory’s veterinary clinic for help, and, in typical Lawson fashion, annoyed her until she admitted she had feelings for him too.

Our latest to fall is Hayes, who was given guardianship over his niece this past summer. With his history of causing havoc, I guess I really shouldn’t be surprised he fell for his nanny, someone completely off-limits. It’s entirely on brand for him. He and Quinn are happy, though, and that’s really all that matters.

I’m glad they found their people. Truly, I am. But now that I see what they have, it makes all my one-night stands and short flings feel wrong. I want my ownsomeone. Someone to laugh with, to debate with regarding whether you should put peanut butter on both slices of bread, someone who won’t be afraid to call me on my shit whenever I need it.

I toss back the remains of my drink to stamp out the feeling of loneliness clawing at my chest, the same feeling that grows heavier and heavier by the day. I order another vodka soda, promising myself to slow down after this one. I can already feel the heat rising in my cheeks from drinking so much so fast, especially since I typically stay sober during the season and it’s been a while since I’ve had a drink.

When I’m handed a glass this time, I take a slow sip, pacing myself. A dark-haired woman in a skintight, shimmery silverdress and sky-high black heels marches by, stopping just a few feet away. Her head is tilted low, and she presses a phone to her ear.

“No, Mother,” she hisses. “Because I saidno. Don’t you know what that word means?”

A sigh.

“I don’t care who he is. I amnotgoing on a date with anyone you set me up with.”

A pause.

“Because I’m already seeing someone! So, no, we absolutely will not be talking about this later when I calm down because I won’t be calming down.”

I grin at her tenacity. Good for her, sticking up for herself.

“Now, I’m getting off the phone before we both say something we regret. Goodbye, Mother.”

She wrenches the phone from her ear, slamming her thumb on the screen so hard she lets out a soft yelp. She pulls her hand away and shakes it, examining her long, perfectly manicured nail.

“Dammit,” she mutters, sucking her thumb into her mouth, her red-painted lips closing around it.

I shift, swallowing thickly at the gesture. There’s no reason whatsoever that should have any effect on me. Still, it does, and it’s just another sign of how fucking lonely I am because my mind immediately goes tootherthings I’d like to see red lips wrapped around.

I clear my throat, draining the rest of my vodka.So much for savoring it.

The sound draws the woman’s attention, and she lifts her head, recognition all over her features. She’s not the only one because I know just who it is that has my cock twitching in my pants: Lilah Maddison, Auden’s best friend.

And I know for a fact she isn’t seeing anyone.

CHAPTER 2

LILAH

Death, taxes, and my mother driving me absolutely nuts—those are the only certainties in life.

Why my mother chose New Year’s Eve to get on my ass about “growing up” and “settling down,” I have no clue, but here I am anyway, angrily stomping around the party I worked so hard to make perfect, all because of her.

I hang up on my mother with just abittoo much ferocity if my stinging thumb is any indication. On instinct, I suck the injured digit into my mouth to soothe the ache. It, of course, does nothing to alleviate the frustration flowing through me, but at least it’s something.

“I won’t have you embarrassing me with one of your one-night stands again.”

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