Page 29 of Cloudless

PROUDEST SISTER MOMENT

LILA

An electrifying current flows through the air as the lights dim. My ears ring as the emcee’s voice booms through the pulsing arena. A sea of red and white flashes by the glass in front of me as the players take the ice.

Goosebumps flow across my skin as the cheering faces around me flash red and white from the spotlights moving around the space.

My heart beats like a relentless drum in my chest as Kam’s name is called last. His smile beams throughout the rink as he moves through the line of his teammates. Their grins double as he hands out his usual fist bumps. The team stand unified on the frozen stage before me.

A grin breaks out on Kam’s face as he bumps fists with an opposing player with a ‘C’ on his chest. The look they share is that of old friends instead of what I might expect from rival captains.

I raise my voice to be heard over the rumble of voices around us. “Does Kam know the other captain?”

A small smile graces Ellie’s face as she watches the teams retreat to their benches. “That’s Knox. We all went to the same high school. They grew up playing together.”

I hold my breath as the lights return to normal and the players gather in the center of the rink for the puck drop.

The puck falling to the ice and landing on the dividing line transforms the ice into a battlefield. A practiced dance unfolds as the two teams work to secure the black bullet as it flies through their ranks.

Kam takes possession of the puck and flies toward their goal like he’s unburdened by something as minuscule as gravity. All SSU players slow and come to a standstill at the halfway point of the rink as Kam sends the puck flying toward Colt, who is now isolated from the rest of the team.

Confusion flashes across Colt’s face as the stands fall silent. As soon as the puck contacts Colt’s stick, he’s surrounded by players from the opposing team. His legs fly out from under him as the puck flies through the air to land on the other side of the rink.

A collective gasp rings throughout the cavernous space as Colt disappears in the throng of players. Fists fly as sticks are abandoned at their feet.

I crane my neck as I stand to get a better vantage point. All SSU players stand idly around the center of the ice. Hard expressions take over all their faces as their coach's face turns bright red.

The boos and cheers that erupt from the stands dull the shrill sound of the ref’s whistle as the fight continues.

The screaming fans around me fade to the recesses of my mind as Kam’s eyes connect with mine.

A smirk transforms his face as he mouths, Hi, Sunshine .

Ellie whistles next to me as I hold eye contact with her brother. “This might be my proudest sister moment.”

My voice is almost swallowed up by the crowd. Vibrations flow through my feet from the stands as everyone around me gets to their feet. “What do you mean?”

A bloodied Colt is dragged out of the throng of players. Streaks of blood stain the ice as the refs clear the rink.

A team of staff carrying red bags flood the ice and surround him as he scrubs his face with bloodied hands. Streaks of red shine in his blond curls as he waves the team medics away.

Ellie’s eyes light up as she waves a hand over the ice. “I know you’re new to hockey and all, but that kind of shit doesn’t happen. Your team doesn’t just sit there while you get your ass handed to you like that.”

Frustration replaces my confusion as I search her face. “You’re going to have to spell it out for me, E.”

A shit-eating grin takes over her face. “What I’m trying to say is that was Kam’s way of getting back at Colt for what happened at the beach.

” The giddiness rolls off her in waves as she grabs my hand.

“ And he did it in a way that wouldn’t get him in trouble.

” She mimes wiping away a tear from the corner of her eye. “Hence, my proudest sister moment.”

My heart stutters at the thought of Kam getting in trouble for me. “Why would he have gotten into trouble?”

She shrugs like it's the most obvious thing in the world. “It’s frowned upon to fight with your own team on the ice. Fighting with the other team is basically expected.”

Colt retreats slowly to the bench as the staff clears the blood from the ice. “So, you’re saying Kam orchestrated that fight? For me?”

She nods her head so adamantly, I’m not sure how it doesn’t fall off. “Yes, and yes.”

I’m speechless.

Utterly speechless.

“Why would he do that?”

I don’t realize I said that out loud until she answers me. “Because he’s crazy about you, L. Isn’t it obvious?”

My mind reels with snapshots of these past weeks.

Of everything Kam has done for me and the twins.

Of how lost I would be without him. Not just because of how much he helps with the twins, but because I now consider him my friend.

Of how heartbroken I would be if he called someone else ‘Sunshine’.

Of how devastated I would be if he was looking at anyone else the way he’s looking at me right now. Surrounded by his teammates, but with his full attention on me.

It takes a village.

But Judge Harris never said my village needed to share my blood.

My voice is watery as I admit something that terrifies me. “I’ve been an idiot, E.” My watery eyes lock onto hers with a sense of pleading that’s palpable. “I’ve been such a fool.”

Her eyes turn soft as she envelopes me in a hug that muffles her voice. “It’s okay, L. We’re all stupid sometimes.”

She smooths my hair as she pulls away from me. I rub my nose with my shirt sleeve as I search her eyes, which are so similar to her brother’s. “What am I going to do? I’ve turned him away. I told him I just wanted to be friends.”

Her brows dip before determination lights her eyes. Her shoulders square and her back straightens like she’s preparing for battle. “You tell him. He’s not going to try again unless you lay it out for him. Girls can take the lead, too. Find your inner strength and use it, L.”

“My inner strength?” I pull my bottom lip between my teeth as nerves take hold.

Her hand tightens around mine. “Yes! Find it and use it! You’re an independent woman who doesn’t need a man, but you want one. And you want that one.” I follow her finger as Kam skates around on the ice to get in position. “So go get him. It’s time for you to take what you want, L.”

My palms start to sweat from nerves and how tightly she’s holding my hands. “Right now?”

She looks around like we could magically press pause on the game. “Um, maybe wait until after the game?”

I nod my head as my eyes return to the ice. “Probably a good idea.”

Cheers erupt around us as the whistle blows and the game resumes. My thoughts move as quickly as the players on the ice as everyone takes their seats.

My inner strength.

It can’t be that hard to find. Right?