Page 5 of Cloudless

MOMENT OF SILENCE

KAM

The Penalty Box’s proximity to campus and cheap food are the initial draw for students. The reason we keep coming back, however, is not only because tradition calls for every SSU victory to be celebrated here, but because there's no other place like it in Summit Hills.

The sticky floors and smell of stale beer lingering in the air adds to the charm of the restaurant that’s become a rite of passage of sorts. You’re not truly an SSU student until you’ve downed an entire basket of chips and salsa on your own. That’s just the way it is.

I originally turned down the guys’ offer to grab a bite to eat before we headed home for the evening. That plan went to shit the moment I saw Lila in her Penalty Box t-shirt and learned she was on her lunch break.

Does that sound a bit stalker-ish? Probably. Do I care? Kinda, but not enough to not show up for a late lunch.

The spicy smell of wings burns my nose as the rush of air hits my face from opening the front door to the restaurant. I’ve been here countless times throughout my life. This time should be no different. Except it is, because she is here.

I wipe my sweaty palms on my gym shorts as I look for a blonde ponytail and the thin, white ribbon she’s been wearing every time I’ve seen her.

Muscle memory leads me to our usual table in the back corner as my eyes stay on a swivel.

“Well, look who decided to show up.” I don’t need to stop scanning the room to know Dax has a huge grin on his face from my change of heart.

“I was hungry. Might as well grab a bite before heading home.” My unusual lie slips by unnoticed by my friends as I sink down in my seat.

Wyatt’s ever-stoic presence looms closer as he whispers, “I’m assuming the parents showed up for Jasper?”

“Sister, actually.”

A glance in his direction shows his eyebrows shoot up his forehead. “Sister? That's, uh, unexpected.”

I nod as I resume my search around the room. “I know. And get this, you remember the girl I told you about in my negotiations class?”

“Yeah, we remember,” Dax answers for the group as all heads turn my way, their interest piqued by the mention of Lila.

“Well, it was her. She’s Jasper's sister. And that’s not all.”

Dax leans closer, his elbows planted firmly on the table, unbothered by the water rings left behind by his glass. “I’m listening.”

That’s when I spot her. Her ponytail has loosened to let golden wisps of hair fall around her beautiful face. The dim lighting hides the dark circles and clouded eyes that seem to be her constant companions.

I incline my head in her direction as I straighten in my seat. “That’s her.”

All my friends crane their necks to watch as she rushes through the crowded space. Dax whistles as Mace mutters, “Damn.”

Everyone turns to me with a gleam shining brightly in their eyes.

Dax’s face breaks into his usual shit-eating grin as he shoots from his chair.

The scrape of the legs on the sticky floor earns glances from patrons around us.

He places a hand over his heart as he bows his head.

His usual grin falls away to be replaced by solemn eyes.

“Let’s have a moment of silence for our fallen comrade.

Kam was a good man. Stubborn, but good all the same.

People will remember his fierce loyalty, but—Hey! ”

I interrupt his grand gesture by pulling him down into his seat. The sound of his tailbone hitting the chair is loud enough to hear over all the chatter. I feel zero remorse.

“Don’t be dramatic,” I seethe, pivoting in my seat so I see her drop off drinks to a table across the room. The excess length of her apron strings float behind her as she disappears through the kitchen door.

Dax only rubs his tailbone and shrugs, completely undeterred by my protest. “I’m just calling it how I see it, Cap. Hell, I hardly recognize you. If your thirty-minute recounting of seeing her in class wasn’t enough, the look on your face says it all.”

Mace nods in agreement. His mouth full of French fries obscures his words. “I’ve never seen you like this, man.” He swallows before chewing not nearly enough and turns to our roommates. “When have you ever heard Kam talk about a girl at all, let alone like this?”

Wyatt's green eyes pierce me, but he says nothing.

I’m saved from answering by Kim’s long, pink-tipped fingers curling around the back of my seat. Her flirtatious smile hasn’t changed since she learned how to use it in elementary school. “What can I get ya, Kam? The usual?”

My eyes never stray to hers as I say, “Yep, and a root beer. Make the food to go. Thanks, Kim.”

“Sure thing, Kam.” Her fingers drag along the back of my neck before she struts off, clearly walking with a purpose.

Dax blows out an exasperated breath. “Pretty sure that girl’s got your wedding planned already, man.”

Mace’s groan speaks for us all. Thankfully, Kim’s distraction shifts the conversation away from my love life, or lack thereof.

I barely contribute to the guys' conversation about tomorrow's scrimmage, spending most of my time watching Lila.

She never stops moving, constantly refilling drinks, delivering orders, and running back to the kitchen to do it all over again. After only a few minutes of watching her, I realize she has almost double the tables of the other servers.

I don’t know how she’s managing it all, but it’s damn impressive to watch.

“Earth to Kam.”

I blink rapidly as my roommates come back into focus, only to find Dax snapping his fingers in my face. “I’m sorry. What were you saying?”

Mace fights his smile as he pushes my to-go bag closer to me. “You ready to go, man?”

I’ve been so caught up in my head, I didn’t even realize Kim brought my to-go order out already.

My movements are slow as I stand. My eyes scan the table in search of any way to delay leaving as I fiddle with my to-go bag.

A blur of red draws my attention to Dax as he walks over to Lila and smiles. Her brows crease as his hands move around him like he’s telling the most riveting story.

Mace mumbles, “Oh, shit.”

I’m already heading that way, my long strides eating up the distance between me and her in seconds. The other tables are a blur in my peripherals. She’s the only thing I can see. Lila and my dumbass best friend who’s known for flirting with everyone.

Do I think he will try to “steal” her?

No, of course not.

Do I think he will do everything within his power to push every button I have?

Hell yes I do.