Page 7 of Cloudless
He bites the edge of his lip as he fights his smirk. “If I was truly clever, I would have figured out a way to getyournumber instead.” He loses the battle as his smirk slips free. “This was all I could come up with on the spot.”
I shake my head as my own smile slips free. “You’re a smooth talker, Kam.”
The lightness in his eyes matches the brightness of his smile. “Call me whatever you want, cause I got you to smile again.”
Jasper’s fingers dig into the hem of my shirt as he shifts on his feet next to me. “Come on, Lulu. You’ll be late for work.”
I don’t need to glance at my watch to know he’s right.
My voice softens as I take a step backward toward the stairs. “Bye, Kam.”
“Bye, Sunshine.”
CHAPTER 4
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 tonotshow 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, becausesheis 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.
