Page 30 of Cloudless

GOOD LUCK CHARM

KAM

I dodge the passing servers and congratulatory pats on the back as my eyes scan the dim restaurant.

I pass over all the familiar smiling faces in search of one that I’m positive is the cause of me playing the best game of my college career tonight.

A sinking pit of disappointment opens up in my stomach when I don’t spot her. I reluctantly sink down into the seat next to my sister. The conversations around me turn into a jumbled mess of noise as I force my focus onto the abandoned straw wrapper in front of me.

The wrinkled paper crinkles easily in my hands before it tears in half.

“There’s no need to take it out on the wrapper, Goose. She’ll be here soon.”

I sit up straighter in my seat as all my senses zero in on my ever observant sister. “She, uh, she will?”

“Yep.” She pops the ‘p’ as she chews on her straw. She doesn’t even try to hide the smirk that appears at my obvious excitement at her news. Her eyes gleam as she looks over my shoulder at the entrance of the restaurant.

“Hey, Trouble.”

A bolt of lightning flows through me at the sound of her voice.

The tension flows from my muscles like water from freshly melted snow as I turn and take her in. “Hi, Sunshine.” I quirk a brow as I tilt my head at the tension visible on her face. “What’s wrong?”

She waves away my concern. “Just a little headache.” A smile brightens her tired eyes as she takes the empty seat next to me.

Her attention swivels around the table as she greets everyone else.

“Hey, guys. You all played great tonight.” Her eyes snare mine once again as her grin turns into a beaming smile. “Two goals are pretty impressive.”

Dax scoffs from his seat across the table. “Nah. A hat trick would have been impressive.”

The quick flash of a smile is the only indication of Wyatt’s pride in my performance tonight. “A hat trick would have been nice, but pair two goals with four assists, and you’re on track for Best Playmaker.”

Lila’s brows furrow in confusion as she settles into her seat. “What’s a hat trick? And what’s Best Playmaker?”

Mace wipes salsa off his chin with one hand and reaches for the basket of chips in front of him with the other.

“A hat trick is when a single player scores three goals in one game. And Best Playmaker is given to the player with the most assists that season. We’ll turn you into a hockey pro eventually, Sullivan. ”

The conversation moves on around us as I lean closer to Lila. “Where are the twins?”

A flash of anxiety zings across her face before she buries it under a neutral expression. She can’t hide the worry from her eyes, though. “I just dropped them off at my grandparents’ house.”

My eyebrows rise. “How do you feel about that?”

Her shrug doesn’t convince me. “I’m dealing with it.”

I open my mouth to respond, but am cut off by our server with a pad and pen in her hand. “Are you guys ready to order?”

A smile blooms on Lila’s face as she turns to greet her coworker. “Hey, Sammy. How’s your shift going?”

I nearly stop breathing when I see my name written across her back. Obviously, I knew it was there. I gave her the jersey, for Pete’s sake. Seeing it, though? That’s an entirely different ball game.

My eyes trace the block letters as my breathing turns shallow. I force my eyes away from my name, only to discover a red bow in her hair.

I need to get out of here before I do something stupid.

Something I can’t take back.

Like kiss the hell out of her.

The legs of my chair squeak against the floor as I rush to stand.

I have to stop looking at her.

My fingers glide along the smooth fabric as I wipe my suddenly sweaty palms on my pants.

My thoughts feel like a runaway train as I search for an excuse to get out of here.

I have to fight not to let out a relieved breath as the tips of my fingers connect with my wallet in my pocket.

“I, uh, I forgot my wallet in the car. I’ll be right back. ”

My throat constricts to a painful level as I struggle to swallow. My friends share confused glances as an amused smirk blooms on my sister's face.

The other tables become a blur as my legs carry me through the restaurant and out the front door. I’m thankful for the first signs of fall as the cool night air washes over my face.

My fingers dig into my still-damp hair as the chilled air fills my lungs.

Breathe. Just breathe.

I sync my breathing to the numbers as I count to twenty.

One.

She has my name on her back.

Two.

I want to kiss her.

Three.

I can’t kiss her.

Four.

Damn it. I can’t kiss her.

“Kam?”

I close my eyes and take one more deep breath to prepare for coming face to face with my greatest temptation.

The reflection of the streetlamps in the parking lot shine brightly in her eyes as she searches my face. “Are you okay?”

The level of pain in my voice is surprising as I grit my teeth. “No. I’m not okay.”

Her eyes flash with concern as she takes a step toward me. “What’s wrong? What can I do to help?”

I take a step away from her to maintain the distance I have no choice but to put between us. “I need you to go back inside.”

Her concern is replaced by hurt that I immediately regret putting there. Her voice is small and timid in the abandoned parking lot. “Why?”

I hope she can see the desperation on my face as I beg her with my eyes to listen to me. “I’m just feeling a bit off. It’s nothing you need to worry about.”

Her eyes narrow. “I saw the outline of your wallet in your pants, Kam. I know you didn’t forget it in your car.” Her eyes and voice soften. “Be honest with me.”

I spread my arms out to my sides with my palms up as I lay myself bare before her.

“Because I’m not strong enough to stay away from you when you have my name written on your back.

I’m just not.” My voice falls to a whisper as realization and something that looks suspiciously like relief dawns in her eyes. “I’m just not strong enough.”

A fire erupts in her eyes as she takes a defiant step toward me. “Maybe you don’t have to be.”

I nearly groan with the sudden rush of hope that I can’t allow to take root in my chest. I shake my head as I take a retreating step away from her. “Don’t tease me, Sunshine. My heart can’t take it.”

The fire in her eyes morphs into a raging storm as she closes the distance between us. I clench my hands at my sides to keep myself from reaching for her. “I’m not teasing, Trouble.”

I stand like a statue, ready to cut my hopes down by the roots, if necessary. “I need you to say what you mean.”

A small smile pulls at her lips as she skims her fingers down my arm and intertwines our fingers with a steady hand.

“I want you, Kam.” Her smile grows as my heart warms in my chest. “As more than friends.” Her eyes turn mischievous as her smile turns into a grin.

“Did you start a fight for me tonight, Trouble?”

My heart races with the memory of the satisfying crush of Colt’s nose. “No.” Her eyes flash with confusion and a hint of disappointment before I continue. “But I orchestrated one.”

The disappointment lifts from her eyes like a storm cloud being burned away by the sun. “Why did you do that?”

My grip tightens on her hand as flashes of the redness around her wrist fly through my mind.

“Because no one gets to lay a hand on you and not answer for it.” I let out a shaky breath as I use our joined hands to close the last few inches between us.

“If you don’t want me to kiss you, I need you to walk away, Lila. My restraint is on its last leg.”

Her cloudless eyes roam over my face. “Then kiss me already.”

I let out a groan of relief as my lips finally connect with hers. Her mango scent becomes a part of my soul as I breathe her in.

Relief flows through me with such intensity my fingertips tingle as I grasp the sides of her face with a gentleness I’m not sure how I possess.

The softness of her lips molding to mine feels like coming home as I pour weeks of built up frustration into one kiss.

With every sharp intake of breath I feel her take, bricks from my walls crumble to the ground to lay at her feet. Like an offering to a goddess, the crumbled stones piece together to offer shelter for her heart that I hope to one day possess.

Our lips move in a long overdue dance as I wind my arm around her waist. Her front molds to my chest like she was made just for me.

I pull away from her lips and glide my fingers through her hair as I search her eyes for any sign of regret. I let out a relieved breath when I don’t find any.

A smirk forms on my face as I grasp the end of the silky ribbon in her hair and pull until the tension releases. Her hair falls freely around her face as I tuck the ribbon in my pocket. “This is my new good luck charm.”

Her eyebrows crinkle with confusion as she watches the ribbon disappear into my pocket. “You can’t just take my ribbon.”

An uncontainable smile spreads across my face. “It’s either the ribbon or you, Sunshine. Take your pick.”

She rolls her eyes, but the smile on her face betrays her true feelings. “Fine. You can have my ribbon.” Her eyes shine with mischief. “Do I get something else in return?”

My smirk can’t be contained when she’s looking at me like this. “What do you want?”

Her fingers dig into my back like she thinks I’ll run away. She couldn’t be more wrong. “A date.”

“You’re supposed to wait for me to ask you.”

She just shrugs. “I’m trying this new thing where I just take what I want. How am I doing so far?”

I pull her in for another kiss as I whisper against her lips, “It looks good on you. It really does.”