The Altruistic Pilot: A Jake Seresin TopGun fan fiction

Chapter 6

The first week is officially over and they are into their second now. Things seem to only be getting more intense for the pilots, and I wish more then anything I can help. I do the best I can when they ask of me, but decide to hang back and not bother any of them unless they ask.
It's Monday again which means I'm back at the Hard Deck early helping Penny prepare for the week. Currently I'm deep cleaning all the small things that can be over looked: dusting the décor, checking under the tables for gum, making sure all the barstools and booth seats are clean, and a lot of other things. Penny is nearby at the bar taking inventory of the liquor we have. Her daughter, Amelia, is seated at the bar working on some homework.

I always liked Amelia, she's always been such a sweet kid. On numerous occasions I've taken her out to go shopping or to the mall, or whatever her young teenage brain wants to do for the day. I had never had a sister, and with Aiden having passed right as I was graduating high school, I often craved the sibling relationship. Amelia, being an only child, seemed to crave it too. Overtime her and I bonded closely. I decide to take a break and slide into the seat next to her, grabbing the book she has in front of her.

"Oh ' The Call of the Wild', do you like it so far?"

"It's just a boring assigned book we have to read," she groans.

"Hey easy now, that's one of my favorite books." I joke with her. She narrows her eyes at me.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously. So if you need any help let me know."

She nods before going back to studying.

Penny has finished taking inventory and now moves to the picnic tables outside to enjoy the sun. I put away the cleaning supplies I had out and head outside to join her. She opens up her books and starts making note of what she needs to order for the bar. She had once tried to reach me how to do inventory for the bar. In the end it just confused me, so I pay no attention now to it. Instead I focus on a group of people at the water's edge tossing footballs around. A few look familiar. It takes a minute before I realize it's all the pilots. Nat is there in her sports bra and shorts, all the boys wear nothing but rolled up jeans or shorts, except Bob who seems to stand out in his yellow t-shirt.

 
"How long have they been here?" I ask Penny. She looks over to the group and shrugs.

"No idea honestly."

I search the group until I find him. He looks even more stunning then usual. He's covered in either a layer of sweat or water from the ocean. Either way, it makes him appear as if he's glowing from the sun. However my eyes are instantly drawn to his chest. I know he's worked hard on his body over the years. Apparently when he was younger, he had been a "scrawny, little thing". His words, not mine. You wouldn't have guessed it by seeing him here now though. He has muscles showing that I didn't even know existed. I watch as he runs after one of the footballs only for a pilot I don't recognize to tackle him to the floor. It looks painful, but when they help each other stand they are both laughing and covered in sand. Jake slaps a hand over the pilots back before jogging back to their made up starting point. He looks more relaxed and carefree then I've seen him in a long time. I don't even realize I'm smiling until I feel Penny's eyes on me. A smile of her own on her face.

"What?" I ask, suddenly embarrassed.

Her smile grows, "nothing, just been a minute since I've seen you smile like that."

My face instantly heats. I look away from her and back to the game. Javy backs up with the foot ball and throws it. Jake leaps into the air slightly and effortlessly catches the ball before turning and running, several pilots chase after him. He must reach the end of their imaginary field because a few start to cheer. He yells out in victory and throws the ball down to the sand. Three pilots behind him act as if the ball had caused a blast and fall to the floor. Penny and I can't both laugh out loud.