Off the Ice (The Penalty Kill Trilogy) (Volume 2) (11 page)

Levi

McCarthy and I worked out over at RU’s gym again two days ago, and one of my teammates stopped to talk to me after McCarthy headed home. We were discussing a particular exercise and when I was about to leave, he asked if I “was serious with that redhead from JWU? McCarthy’s sister?” When I said yeah, he told me that he was pretty sure she was at a restaurant on the outskirts of town with another guy, holding his hand.

He obviously mistaken Presley for someone else because she said she was with Marley when I asked. Plus, who would she eat dinner with that she would hold his hand and who would she be out with that she wouldn’t tell me about it when I asked? I hate when I think of Zack. But it couldn’t have been Presley for the simple fact that when I asked, she didn’t say anything about Zack. It’s been two days, and I’m done thinking about it.

~ ~ ~

March

The weeks leading up to our weekend away fly by with schoolwork, classes, and working out. Pops, Smarty, and I are just getting in my SUV for the drive. Presley tried her hardest to sit in the back and let Pops sit up front, but he wouldn’t have it.

“Are you sure you don’t want to sit up here?” she asks one last time.

“
Nope. I prefer not to have the better view of how my son drives.”

“
Hey,” I insert. “I’m a good driver.” I look in my rearview mirror to see my father shrug as if he doesn’t believe me. “If I’m not, it’s your fault. You taught me.”

“
My point exactly.” He laughs. “Your mother hated my driving. Always told me I had road rage. Never knew what she was talking about.” He chuckles.

“
I wouldn’t think you would be an aggressive driver,” Presley tells him. “You’re too sweet.”

Pops and I both laugh. “Let’s get this show on the road,” I say as we start our journey. The radio plays softly for about thirty minutes before my father clears his throat and leans forward.

“Are we there yet? I’m bored.” Pops chuckles because he obviously thinks he’s hilarious.

Presley laughs and I say, “Don’t encourage him, Smarty.”

She rolls her eyes and Pops starts telling her stories from my childhood. After about the third one, he catches my attention with his story.

“
Levi was terrified of car washes. The first time we took him through one, he peed his pants! He didn’t like it one bit.”

“
Pops, that is not true.”

Presley is cracking up in the passenger seat. “It’s okay, Levi. Everyone’s scared of something, right?”

My dad starts laughing, and I can’t believe she thinks he’s telling the truth. “Pops, tell her you’re lying. That never happened and I’ve never been scared of car washes. Smarty,” I glance at her, “You can’t possibly believe that.”

“
Why would your sweet father lie, Levi? Is that why you’re a neat freak? You keep your car really clean yourself so you won’t have to go through the car wash? Are you still scared?” Presley clutches her stomach as she laughs.

“
You two are ridiculous,” I say with a shake of my head. “No more stories, Pops.”

“
Fine. I won’t tell Presley any more about your childhood.” Thanks to my rearview, I can see him smirk and wink at Presley.

“
Tell me how you met Amanda,” Smarty says tentatively with a quick look at me.

Pops laughs at the memory. I listen as he recounts the story I’ve heard so many times. He met my mother their freshman year of college. He saw her around campus a couple of times, but one day, they were both in the library at the same time. Pops walked up to her and sat down at her table.

“I think I scared her a little at first. Imagine Levi walking up to a tiny 5’3” woman. But once I sat down and started talking to her a little, I asked her out, and she said, ‘I don’t know if I could go on a date with a Flyers fan.’ It took me a second to realize that she knew I was a fan because of my shirt. Before I could answer, she told me with a smile, ‘But I will. Someone has to show you that the Penguins are a better team.’ From then on, that woman had me wrapped around her finger. The rest is history as they say.”

Pops tells Presley a little more about his relationship with my mother, but I zone out and decide to focus on driving. I’ve heard all the stories before anyway. Soon, we arrive at the hotel. Pops got us two rooms. One for him and one for us. We drop our things off and then head to the practice.

Smarty is ridiculously excited as we watch the players on the ice. It’s amazing and bittersweet to be back in this building. The last time I was here, my mom was with me. The events of the trip similar as we’re here for a game and meet and greet too. Pops pats my shoulder like he’s thinking the same thing while Presley has her focus elsewhere.

“
I’m proud of you, son,” he says softly.

“
Thanks, Pops.”

“
Levi Carr?”

We turn at the voice of a suited man who is walking towards us. “Yes, sir,” I respond and shake his hand as he comes to stand before me.

“I’m Greg. We’ve spoken a few times.”

“
It’s nice to meet you. This is my father, Victor, and my girlfriend, Presley.”

“
It’s great to have you with us today. Having a good time so far?” he asks.

“
Yes, sir. It’s amazing to be in this building,” I answer.

“
Mind if I steal Levi away for a bit?” Greg asks them.

They both shake their heads, and I’m whisked away to speak with a
scout
for the
NHL.
He asks about my grades and my major first, but then the conversation turns to hockey and things like my workout regime. Greg starts talking about the upcoming draft as well as the different things that could happen with that. It’s all very exciting and for a sliver of a moment, I wish my mom could be here as well.

Greg eventually wraps things up with me, and I thank him before heading back to Smarty and Pops.

“So? What happened?” Presley practically bounces.

“
We just talked, Smarty. Let’s head back to the hotel for a bit before the game.”

“
Yeah, I need a nap,” Pops adds.

Back at the hotel, my dad heads to his room. A nap sounds pretty good after all that driving, so I lay down on the bed. Presley, however, is a bit like a kid on a sugar high.

“Levi, don’t go to sleep! I’m too excited to be all excited by myself.” She jumps onto the bed after slipping off her shoes. I have to admit that a happy, excited Presley is contagious.

“
You aren’t going to faint, are you? Or even worse, drool?” I laugh.

“
Hey, there is nothing wrong with either of those considering the circumstances.”

Rolling onto my side, I look at her. Her smile is huge, and her eyes are filled with readiness for it to be time for the game. Seeing her like this, so happy, I just want to kiss her. “No drooling. That’s a little gross,” I chuckle, teasing her. She rolls her eyes. “You kind of make me think of those crazy fangirls. I feel like I need to say that you can’t tackle anyone either.”

“No promises. Plus, tackling means we may just fall to the ground
accidentally
and that is the perfect way to feel all those muscles.”

“
You so are a crazy woman,” I laugh, shaking my head at her. Crazy or not, I am most definitely looking forward to watching her enjoy every minute of tonight, and I have my dad to thank for making her so happy today.

Presley

I’m shaking. I’m literally shaking when I sit down in CONSOL Energy Arena. I have my Crosby jersey on, and my leg won’t stop bouncing watching my players on the ice.

“
Smarty, calm down,” Levi whispers into my ear.

“
I can’t. I mean, look.” I point out to the ice where the Penguins are warming up. “They are right there.”

“
This isn’t your first time seeing them.”

“
I know, but it’s my first time seeing them here.” I give him a stern look. Levi just laughs and shakes his head.

“
Presley, are you okay? You look like you’re about to bust.” Victor sits down next to me.

“
I am. Victor, I don’t know how to thank you for this.” I give him my brightest smile. I still can’t believe Victor was able to do this for me. Well, I know it’s for Levi too, but I know this is something my parents wouldn’t do for me. Even though we have become closer since Valentine’s Day, there is still a lot of rebuilding to do.

The players leave the ice for the start of game. I can’t take it, and I know Levi is still laughing at me. Levi and Victor begin to talk about the players, but I can only focus on the jumbotron and watching the players in the hallway. Finally, after an eternity of waiting, the arena goes dark and the Penguins race onto the ice. I’m screaming at the top of my lungs, jumping up and down at seeing my boys on the ice.

“I need to make sure that Dad brought enough bail money for you.” Levi laughs at me.

“
Why?”

“
Because you’re definitely going to tackle them.” I shove his shoulder and look back out on the ice.

The game is intense. Each period is building up until the final moments. The Penguins are in the lead by one, and the Flyers are playing very physical. Victor is shouting for his boys and I see that Levi is concerned about too much excitement for his dad. I have to tell him during the second intermission that it is going to be okay. Victor knows how much he can handle, and Levi is just being overprotective.

The final minute is on the clock. Everyone in the arena is on the edge of their seats, and then everyone is on their feet when number eighty seven takes the puck and skates down the length of the ice. He shoots and misses. The whole crowd moans in disappointment. The Flyers recover and skate towards our goal. Our boys quickly change lines, and the defense is all over the red line. It’s a perfect play until the Flyers score with twenty seconds on the clock and tying the game. I drop to my seat in agony. Victor is cheering loudly, and Levi is patting my shoulder.

“
There is still twenty seconds,” Levi says. I just look at him. Twenty seconds? Really? It might as well be one second.

Timeout is called, and Victor is beaming with pride for his team. On the other hand, I could just punch a wall. Maybe I’m overreacting a little, but I really want them to win. As the players come back on the ice, I get back up and still cheer on my team. Win or lose, those are the greatest players and team in any league.

With an empty net and extra defender on the ice, the crowd goes crazy. The puck drops and Penguins have control.

Fifteen seconds.

Number eighteen passes to number seventy one.

Ten seconds.

Number seventy one passes to number nine.

Five seconds.

Number nine passes back to seventy one, who shoots and … scores.

BUZZER!

We won. The crowd is jumping, screaming, yelling, and whistling, and the team is celebrating on the ice. It’s the greatest win I’ve personally seen. I’m screaming so loud my head and throat hurts, but I can’t believe it.

On the other hand, Victor falls in his chair in defeat. I feel bad for him for one second before I begin to scream louder.

“Okay, Smarty, you can stop jumping now.” Levi is standing next to me holding my shoulders down.

“
Did you see that? Did. You. See. That.” I need to say it slowly in hopes that I’m not dreaming.

“
I was standing right here when it happened.”

“
Well, that sucked,” Victor grumbles.

“
Oh, Victor, maybe next time.” I gently pat his shoulder and give him a sympathetic look.

“
I think you’re teasing me, child.” It’s the first time he has ever given me a stern look, and I bust out laughing.

“
Well, shall we head down to the meet and greet?” Levi points down by the benches where people are already lining up.

My breathing picks up, and my hands begin to sweat. I’m about to be in the same room as the world’s greatest players. My legs are weak as we walk down towards the benches. I’m squeezing Levi’s hand tighter and tighter as we get closer.

“If you break my hand, I can’t play hockey,” Levi whispers in my ear.

“
Sorry, I feel like I’m going to faint.”

Levi laughs. “If you faint, I will die laughing at you.”

“If I faint, I pray Geno gives me mouth to mouth,” I quip back at him. Levi stops in the middle of the aisle and looks at me.

“
Really?”

“
Oh, stop being jealous and walk. It’s my birthday.”

“
No, it’s not.”

“
Well, it’s her birthday present.” Victor finally helps me out. “Now, walk Levi, so we can get this over with.” I look at Victor and smile at him. I know that he really doesn’t want to go into the meet and greet, but he’s a great sport and does anyway. 

They let us in a few at a time and I’m shaking more as we get closer. Levi’s rubbing my shoulders as we enter the room. There are a total of eight players in the room and I can’t catch my breath as I see all my favorite players are in here. Sidney, Geno, Flower, Neal, Dupuis, Orpik, and Vital were all there. Levi takes me by the hand to the closest player to where we are standing. Levi’s a natural at talking to the players as we get autographs and talk to them. I finally relax a bit as we make our way around the room. As soon as it started, it is over, and we are leaving the room.

My heart rate slows as we head back to the hotel. In my hand, I hold my program with the players’ signatures on it, like it is the Holy Grail. I keep telling Victor thank you over and over again. He chuckles and tells me ‘you’re welcome’.

We say goodnight to Victor and head back to our room. I should be tired from all the excitement from today, but I’m not. Levi comes up behind me and kisses the nape of my neck.

“I don’t even have to ask if you had fun today.” His whisper sends chills down my spine.

I lean back on him. “I’ve had the greatest day.”

“I’m glad, Smarty. I love you.”

I never grow tired of hearing those words. “I love you too.”

I turn around in his arms and look up at him. He leans down and kisses me. His soft lips are hypnotic as are his hands squeezing my hips. He guides me over to the bed, and I lay down. His body covers mine as our kiss deepens. I don’t know how long he kisses me. All I know is that I want to stay in his arms forever.

“
Why don’t you change, Smarty? We need some sleep since we are heading out tomorrow.”

I slightly pout my lips. “We haven’t had sex in a while, Levi.”

“I know, but I’m actually tired. I don’t want to be tired driving back tomorrow.” He kisses my lips and then rolls off of me. I can’t help be a little disappointed, but I understand. I get up and head to the bathroom and change into my night clothes.

When I come out of the bathroom, Levi is already in the bed with the sheet just covering his lower half of his body. I still can’t get enough of his chiseled chest and abs. Trevor and he have been working out with the program my dad recommended and I have to say that it’s working.

I turn off the lights and crawl into bed with him. I lay my head on his chest and smile. There is no-where I would rather be.