Game Winner (The Penalty Kill Trilogy #3) (2 page)

Presley

“
Smarty.” I moan from hearing Levi’s voice in my dreams. “Wake up, Smarty.” I finally open my eyes to see Levi’s blue eyes looking at me. “I see that you still don’t understand the meaning of sharing.”

I look down only to see that I’m wrapped up in all the blankets, and Levi has none. “Sorry.” I try to untangle myself from the blankets and sheets as Levi just laughs. Even Levi’s shirt that I was wearing is tangled around me. It’s like I was fighting through a spider’s web to get free. When I’m finally free, I sit up and slightly moan in pain.

“What’s wrong?” Levi says with concern.

“
Oh, I think I’m a little sore. It’s been a while since I’ve had sex.”

“
I’m sorry,” he kisses my shoulder. “I should have been easier with you.”

I giggle and kiss him. “Are you kidding? I enjoyed every second of it.”

“Well, I aim to please.” He winks as he rolls away from me and out of the bed. He heads into the bathroom and turns on the shower. He comes back to me, rips the blankets away, and picks me up.

“
What are you doing?” I squeal as he picks me up.

“
Taking a shower and you’re joining me.” He wags his eyebrows at me.

~ ~ ~

The hot, blissful shower didn’t last long enough for me. I don’t want to leave him, but I know that time is drawing near. I’m in the bathroom, dressed, but finishing my hair and makeup.

“
Hey.” Levi comes up behind me, and I sit my makeup brush down. His strong arms wrap around me, and I lay my head against his chest. “I’m going to head down with Pops and spend some time with him while you finish packing and getting ready.”

I nod, and I can already feel the tears building up.

“No tears, Smarty. I don’t think I can handle it today,” he whispers in my ear.

I nod again because if I say one word, the tears will come streaming down my face. Levi holds me tighter in his arms and kisses my cheek.

When he leaves, I try to compose myself. I know today is going to be hard, but I’m trying. I finish getting ready and begin to make sure that I haven’t forgotten anything as I wrap up my packing. Luckily, I didn’t bring that much with me.

I head down to the restaurant that is in the hotel, making sure that I don’t let the sadness take over me. I spot Levi and Victor in the center of the room, laughing. They have identical smiles, and it brings joy to my face to see those two together.

“Good morning, Presley.” I kiss Victor’s cheek before I sit down.

“
Good morning.” I get as close to Levi as I can without being in his lap. I want to bask in him up until the moment we leave. He grabs my hand and holds it tightly.

“
Hungry?”

I shake my head. I want Levi, not food, and I know that we are going to be leaving soon.

“Levi, what time does practice start?” Victor asks as he nibbles on some toast.

“
About an hour. I will need to leave soon.” He sounds sad and squeezes my hand tighter.

I feel the lump in my throat. The tears are beginning to creep up. He’s leaving again, and I have to go back to JWU without him. I close my eyes and count to five. Levi said ‘no tears’. I’m going to try my best and not show him any.

The conversation between Victor and Levi continues, and I sit there, latched onto Levi. Time seems to be moving fast because Levi looks down at me with a sad smile.

“
I have to go.” His eyes are full of sadness, and I let a tear escape. I can’t help it. I can’t hold them back.

I’m unable to say anything, so instead I nod. Victor stands up and pays for the food. Levi follows us out to the lobby, then out to the car. I already put my bags in there.

Victor hugs Levi first. They say they will see each other soon. Levi has a game in New York in two weeks, and we will be there for it. Victor walks around and gets into the car. Levi turns to me. He wraps his arms around me. I dig my nails into his hair. I don’t want to let go.

“
Smarty, two weeks. You only have to wait two weeks,” he reminds me.

I nod.

“It’ll be easier when you finish school. I promise.” He pulls back and looks down at me. His blue eyes are bright, looking me up and down.

“
Stop looking at me like that, Levi.” I grin up at him, finally able to talk.

“
Whatever do you mean, Smarty?” He leans down to my ear, and his hot breath tickles my ear. “Do you mean the look that means I want to drag you back into that hotel and not leave for the rest of the week?”

“
Jerk.” My voice is deep with lust for him.

He chuckles. “I guess you didn’t get enough last night?”

“I could never get enough of you.” I hold onto him tighter.

Levi groans, and I can feel that he’s getting more turned on. “We have to stop teasing each other.” He steps back a little. “I love you, Smarty.”

“I love you, Levi.” A tear rolls down my cheek.

Levi kisses my lips hard. I push my tongue into his mouth. I want to stay that way forever, but he finally releases me. He opens the car door for me, and I get in. He says bye to his dad one more time, and we take off. I want to look back and see Levi standing there, but I begin to cry. Actually, I begin to sob. Victor doesn’t say anything. He only reaches over and grabs my hand.

After several minutes, I’m able to calm myself down. I reach for a couple tissues in my purse. I put them there because I knew that I was going to be using them.

“
Sorry, Victor.” I wipe the tears away and try to clean my face up. “I bet you think I’m crazy?”

“
Nope, not at all. I just think you’re a girl in love.”

“
Thanks.” I smile at him. I’m glad that he understands my insane emotions.

I stare out the window as we head back home. Victor and I chat about school and how excited he is about hunting season coming up.

When Victor drops me off, I sit on my couch, thinking about the incredible weekend Levi and I had together. A small smile spreads across my face as my skin still tingles from his lips, his touch, and the way he makes me feel.

My phone beeps with an alert of an arriving text message. On the screen is Levi’s smiling face looking back at me. I laugh at his cheesy expression, and the way he can make me laugh, even from a hundred miles away.

The next text that comes through says:

Don’t ever forget that you’re the strongest person I know.

I love you, Smarty. You mean everything to me. See ya in a few weeks.

Levi is right. I need to be strong through this process. I know I can be. I’m going to see him in a few weeks, and I can’t wait.

Levi

Something told me that Presley needed a little reminder of how strong she is, so I quickly sent her a couple of texts before practice. The drills here are more rigorous and longer than what we did at RU, but I like it. Why wouldn’t I? I love it all because even though I may be tired afterwards, I still feel pretty good. Nothing really brings me down from cloud nine these days.

Later in the week, after practice and showering, my roommates and I decide to go out for a bite to eat. Jayson and Landon are pretty cool so far. They have been really helpful since I got here, and I’m grateful that they took me under their wing. Sometimes, I wonder how these two even live together. They’re almost polar opposites. Jayson is the partying charmer who is always having a good time, while Landon is quiet and not so outspoken about what he’s thinking.

“
I was talking to a buddy of mine, and there’s a club downtown that he thinks we should try. You know, somewhere new. I figured we could go tonight. It’s been a long week, and I need to get laid,” Jayson tells us.

“
You always need to get laid,” Landon says.

I laugh and add, “I’m good with somewhere new. Should be fun.” I like going out with these two because that’s when you can really see how different they are, even though they both get the same end result, which is usually going home with a girl. We go our separate ways until later tonight, and I take the chance to call Presley.

“You’re too late, Levi,” she answers. “I’ve already fallen in love with my law professor.”

I hold back my laugh. “Oh, really? Does he bite you like I do? Does he graze his teeth over your shoulder like I do?”

“No,” she says breathlessly. “No one is as good as you are.”

“
I know.” She might not be able to see it, but the smug grin is there nonetheless.

Presley laughs, probably rolling her eyes at me too. “I’m happy you aren’t cocky or anything, Levi.”

“Of course not. How was your day?” I ask.

“
It was nothing special. I went to class and then spent the afternoon with Marley. Once I get off the phone, I have a pile of homework to get done. What about you?”

I tell her about practice and a little more about my roommates before telling her about our plans tonight.

“Oh, you’re going to a new club?”

“
Yeah. Jayson heard about it from someone. It should be really fun.”

“
Well, be careful and have fun.”

“
Are you jealous, Smarty?” I joke.

“
No, Levi. I think that we both have been through enough of that in this relationship already. I trust you, and I know that you trust me. Just be careful, that’s all I ask.”

I feel a little bad, so I say, “I will be. And I was only teasing. You know that if I could, I would be there distracting you from all that homework instead.”

“I really wish you were too, but I do need to get this homework done. The Penguins play tonight, and I can’t watch until I finish.”

“
Okay. Well, it’ll be late when I get in tonight, so want me to just call you tomorrow then?” I ask.

“
Yeah, just call me in the morning. I love you, Levi.”

“
Love you too.”

We hang up, and I still feel bad about teasing her. At the sound of Jayson’s voice, I turn.

“You are one lovesick bastard,” he laughs.

“
Leave him alone,” Landon says as he comes from down the hall.

I chuckle, ignore them both, and go to my room to change for tonight.

~ ~ ~

Landon and I are sitting by the bar, while Jayson is in the middle of the dance floor with three girls dancing around him. He’s managing to touch all three of them too. I can’t help but shake my head at him. He’s lively, that’s for sure. I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes home with one of them, if not all three. Yeah, he’s that guy.

Catching sight of someone, Landon stands, pats my shoulder, and tells me he’ll catch me later. For a minute, I watch as he walks up to a petite blonde, smiles, and motions for the bartender to refill her drink. He talks to her for a little bit before she’s dragging him out to dance. I sit by myself, watching all the people, before Jayson and Landon make their way back over, girls in tow.

“
Ladies,” Jayson grins, looking at each of them briefly before continuing, “This is Levi Carr. Levi.” He puts his arms around their waists, two on one side and one of the other. “These are the ladies.” I hold back a laugh. He probably doesn’t know any of their names. “We were thinking about going to back to our place to make things interesting.”

One of the girls, a brunette, steps closer to me and drags her finger from my knee up my thigh. “What do you say, Levi?” She smiles at me, but frowns when I subtly push her hand away.

Knowing the routine, I agree. We take two taxi’s back, Jayson having a little trouble keeping all three girls satisfied with his attention. He’s going to manage to piss one of them off, probably. That’s what he gets for trying to balance not two girls, but three. Back at the house, we play a drinking game and within an hour, more of our teammates and friends are trickling in with booze and girls. Before I know it, there’s a party in full swing.

Standing around the pool table, I can’t help but think about Presley and our first game. A grin slowly lifts my lips. I wish she was here with me. The thought is stolen when it’s my turn. I lean down for my shot, and the brunette from earlier leans down next to me, propping her chin in her hands. I slide my eyes over to her when she speaks.

“You’re really good. Could you teach me?”

I stand upright, calling out, “Jayson!” He swivels and walks over. Talking to the girl, I say, “Jayson is better than I am. He can teach you.” I slap him on the shoulder, hand him my pool cue, and walk away to find Landon. He is with a group of people playing quarters, so I join them. Turns out, I’m really bad at this game. There’s no telling how much I’ve had to drink. I’ll have to tell Smarty that there is actually something out there that I’m bad at.

Oh. Smarty. She’s amazing, awesome, and soooooooo beautiful. I love her soooooo much.

“
I know you love her,” Landon says as he grabs my elbow, leading me away from the table.

Did I say that outloud?

“
Yes,” he answers, gripping my arm tighter when I stumble a little bit. “You’re wasted, Levi, and like the good teammate I am, I’m sending you to bed. Plus, no one wants to hear you talk about your girl.” Landon gently pushes me into my room and tells me to go to bed before shutting the door.

What was I doing in here again? I look around my room, seeing my perfectly made bed. Right. Bed. But I want to talk to Presley. I try to dig my phone out of my pocket. Finally, I succeed until I fumble trying to dial her. With a sigh, I plop onto my bed as the phone rings.

A sexy, sleepy voice answers with concern. “Levi? Is everything okay?”

“
You sound hot,” I slur. “I miss you.”

“
You’re drunk?” She asks, more alert than a second ago.

“
I played a game. I didn’t play well. You’re with a drinking game loser, Presssslllleeeyy,” I drag her name out.

“
Levi Carr, it is late, and I have to get up early in the morning. I’m pretty sure you do too. Get off the phone and go to bed.”

“
But Presley,” I whine.

“
I miss and love you too, Levi. Now go to bed.” Her voice is stern, so I nod in agreement.

“
Night, Smarty.”

“
Night, Levi.”

My phone goes dark as the battery dies, and I quickly fall asleep.