Page 81 of Empty Net

And all of them are looking right at me.

“I take it you’ve heard.”

How could they not? It was plastered all over the internet in record time. I’ve already had a phone call from my brother and sister, both of which I’ve ignored.

“Oh, we’ve heard all right,” Lawson says, apparently speaking for everyone. “We heard you’re a snake who doesn’t tell us a damn thing. Iknewsomething was going on with all that bumping and grinding you were doing on the dance floor at the party.”

Keller smacks him on the back of his head. “Stop saying that. It’s lame.”

“You’re lame,” Lawson tosses back, rubbing at the spot Keller just hit. He turns back to me. “Got anything you want to say to us?”

“Uh, your mom says hello?”

Hayes snickers, holding his fist out for me to bump. “Nice.”

Lawson ignores us both, barreling ahead. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell us you’re getting married. ToLilah. We, like, know her and shit.”

I shrug. “It’s not like I was planning it. It just sort of…happened.”

A snort draws my attention, and I look directly at Hutch for the first time. The smirk on his lips tells me he’s already had a discussion with his girlfriend and is well aware of the predicament Lilah and I are in. I snap my gaze away from him, afraid I might break down and confess everything if I don’t.

“What do you mean you weren’t planning on it? Did you just propose randomly? That’s not very romantic.”

“What the hell do you know about romance, Lawsy?”

“Guarantee it’s more than you, Mr. Never Been Kissed.”

Keller opens his mouth to respond but closes it just as quickly, shaking his head like arguing with Lawson isn’t worth his time.

“Wait. Holy shit!” Lawson’s eyes are wide. “Is that your thing? Are you a virgin?”

“No, and your mom can confirm it.”

Lawson steps toward him, and Keller grins, only further proving my theory that he enjoys fighting just a bit too much.

Locke grabs them both, pulling them apart. “All right, all right. That’s enough. We don’t need a fight before the game. And besides, we’re not asking the important questions.” He looks at me. “When did you and Lilah start dating?”

“A while ago,” I say, keeping it vague like Lilah had before.

“Isthatwhy you were bumping and grin—oof.” Lawson doubles over from the punch Keller lands on his stomach. He rubs at it, grimacing and throwing daggers our grumpy teammate’s way. “Is that why you were dancing together on New Year’s?”

“Yeah, that’s why.”

“Then why didn’t you tell us?” Lawson actually sounds hurt, and I hate the guilt that moves through me.

I also hate all the lying.

You’re doing this for Lilah, I remind myself.Just play the part.

“It was new,” I explain. “We’ve been quietly seeing one another for a while, and on New Year’s Eve, I just had a moment, you know? Like one of those ‘fuck it’ ones. I looked over at her and knew she was the one.”

It’s not entirely untrue. I did look over at Lilah and say “fuck it” when I stepped in to help her. The rest is a lie, though.

Hutch snorts again, but I ignore him, worried if I look his way, the truth will be written all over my face, but Locke doesn’t disregard him. No, he looks over at our captain, and I watch asilent conversation move between them. What they’re saying is as clear as day.

You know something, Locke’s gaze says.

You bet your ass I do, Hutch responds.

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