Page 14 of Skye's Fall

“Yeah, our names are on them,” Jimmy says. We find that our tables are together and I’m glad for that. I don’t know any of the other guys and I don’t really want to. The good thing about Jimmy and Mason is that even though it’s a competition, there won’t be any hard feelings with them. Competition brings out the worst in people, but not these guys. Thank fuck they’re here.

Jimmy is selling some of Ever’s jam. He keeps eyeing it like he wants to take a bite. I’m biased, but it’s good.

“You should try it, it’s really good,” Skye tells him as he reads the labels. She pulls a five out of her pocket and gives it to him to put in his box and then takes a jar and opens it. Everyone takes a spoonful.

“Holy shit, this is the fucking bomb,” Mallory moans.

“It’s really good,” the other girl says.

“Skye,” she reaches out to the other girl to shake her hand.

“Snow.”

“As in Snow White?” Mason asks.

“Yes. Long story.”

She doesn’t look like Snow White, at least not the fairy tale. Her hair is literally white, with bright green eyes. She’s very pretty, but not as pretty as Skye . . . and there I go again.

We get back to the task at hand.

Mason and Mallory are selling embroidered tea towels and Skye and I are selling apple cider. Pretty simple with cider. I know for a fact it’s homemade. It’s Ivy’s recipe. Beau sells it at the bar during the day when families come in. I’ve sat under that oak tree in Ever’s yard with a glass of this cider and relaxed with good people. Even Skye and I have shared some. Good memories.

“Here you go,” Skye hands a cup to a kid as he hands over a dollar. She smiles at him and he rushes off to his mom. Her smile is beautiful, so bright and cheery that even a blind man would be able to see her beauty. There I go again.

I take a seat, feeling Skye’s eyes on me.

“Don’t,” I tell her. She’s going to ask about my mom.

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t ask.” I look over at her and she just nods.

“Okay,” she says sadly. I swear her eyes gloss over. God, I’m a dick. I know I came across more abrasive than I should.

“We’ve been here an hour and only one other team has shown up,” Jimmy says as he hands everyone hot dogs.

“Thanks,” I take one.

“That’s a friend of Memphis. He’s a fighter. I think his name is Dayton,” I tell him.

“As in Dayton, Ohio?”

“I guess if that’s how you want to think of it,” I say.

“I think the girl’s name is Shelley. She’s not very nice,” Snow says.

“Stay away from her,” Mason jerks his head in the girl’s direction.

“You know her?”

“No, but I heard her talking shit already,” he clarifies.

“Karma is a bitch,” Jimmy replies and we all nod.

“Here you go,” Skye hands two cups to a couple of teenagers and puts the money in the box. She’s really selling it.

“Hey guys,” Ever and Memphis walk up to the table hand in hand.