Off the Ice (The Penalty Kill Trilogy) (Volume 2) (18 page)

Presley

May

I think I need to get a t shirt that says “I Hate Finals.” I bet I could make a fortune on them right now on the JWU campus. I’m so glad that it’s Friday and it’s over. Trevor, Marley, Levi, and I are going to meet up tonight in celebration of the ending of the semester, and I can’t wait.

I finally get all my paperwork done for my internship, and I’m going to start in a couple of weeks. I can’t believe all of this is happening. I have talked to my parents and they are so proud of me. They even said it outloud. I’m still in shock that our relationship has changed so much, but I’m happy about it too. I am worried about traveling back and forth to the city and I talked to my mom about moving in with Levi. She isn’t that happy, but she’s dealing. She made the suggestion to have Levi move into my place because I am closer to the city and not that far from RU. Plus, none of us are sure what is going to happen with the NHL draft. I know that Levi is going to be drafted, but none of us are sure when he will be called up to the NHL.

“There she is.”

I walk into Lou’s and the three people I love the most are sitting there, waiting for me. Levi has a bright smile on his face as he announces me. He gets up and hugs me tightly. These last few weeks with Levi have been the greatest since we started dating. Even through finals, we managed at least to talk to each other every day. I’m still worried a little, but the more we talk, the better I feel. Levi loves me and I love him.

“Hey, sorry I’m late. I wanted to wait around for my grades.” I hug Trevor and Marley before sitting down at the table. In front of me is a large strawberry milkshake. I can’t help but smile as I take a sip.

“
So, how were they?” Levi rubs my back as he asks.

I shrug like it isn’t a big deal. “Well, all A’s!” I shout and throw my hands up. I can’t believe that I did it.

“Even in Constitutional Law?” Trevor asks.

“
Yes and I’m so glad.” Levi hugs my shoulder and kisses my temple. “So, what about you guys?”

“
Passed all my classes, thanks to Marley.” Trevor smirks at her and I’m sure, for the first time, Marley blushes.

“
Mine were all good.” Marley smiles. “And I’m so glad it’s over.”

“
What about you, Captain Carr?” I bump his shoulder.

“
A’s, but I got a B in Organic Chemistry. However, I’m still pleased with that because I thought for sure I failed my project.”

“
That’s so good!” I hug him and kiss his cheek. “So, it looks like we have only one year left, huh?”

“
And a crazy summer.” Marley raises her glass.

“
Hell, yeah!” We say together and clink our glasses.

We talk about finals, and the guys talk about their intense workout before the draft. They will have to do one more physical before the draft, and they want to be in the best shape.

“Hey, I have an idea.” I smirk at everyone. “Can I have your keys?” I look at Levi.

“
Um, sure.” He hands me his keys, and I give him mine.

“
Wait for my texts. Come on Mar.” We jump up and head to Levi’s SUV.

“
When was the last time we were on the ice?” I ask when we head down the road.

“
Well, high school? Are you thinking what I think you’re thinking?”

I smile at her. “Still have your hockey gear?”

~ ~ ~

I send a text to Levi and Trevor to come to the RU rink. I thought it would be a good surprise for Levi, and we all need some fun. Marley and I are in our skates with our gloves and sticks, waiting for the guys. I ran to Trevor’s and Levi’s to get their gear before coming here. Thank goodness I have keys to both their places.

“What’s going on, Smarty?” Levi looks confused as I stand on the ice with Marley.

“
YES!” Trevor shouts. “You’re going down, Pres. I remember what happened last time!” He jogs over to his bag and pulls out his skates.

“
Okay, someone please explain to me what’s going on?” Levi crosses his arms and looks confused.

“
Alright, I thought we need a stress reliever and I thought we could play some two-on-two.” I shrug.

“
Hold up.” Trevor stands after lacing his skates. “Carr, you’ve never seen Pres play?”

“
Well, we skated once on my pond, but never played.”

“
Mr. Carr, you’re in for a treat. Pres always practiced with me. Don’t let the manicures fool ya, she has a slapshot.” Trevor slaps Levi’s shoulder and jumps on the ice as Marley hands him his stick.

“
I’m not that good. We just fooled around, Trevor. I thought it would be fun since we’ve never played together.” I smile at Levi. “Are you upset?”

“
Hell no and Smarty.” He leans down and smirks. “We play all the time.” He wags his eyebrows.

“
Get your skates on, Carr. Let’s see what you got.” I peck his lips and skate backwards to the center. Levi puts on his skates, gloves, and skates out to me.

“
I will say one thing, you look hot in skates and holding that stick.”

I can see his eyes are full of desire, and I smile at him.

“Guys against girls,” Marley states. “And no slamming into boards.” Her voice is stern and she stares at Trevor. He holds his hands up to show that he won’t.

“
Marley, you play too?”

“
I’m not as good as these two, but I can hold my own.” Marley shrugs.

“
Alright, let’s play.” Trevor goes over and gets in position for the face off.

I laugh and head to the center for the face. For an hour, we play, laugh, and talk smack to each other. I love every minute of it. I love how relaxed we are, and I can’t help but laugh at Levi’s face when I score against him. He really tried to block me, but I changed my backhand to a forehand and the puck went through his five-hole. I cheered like I won the Stanley Cup.

“Told ya,” Trevor teases Levi.

~ ~ ~

A few weeks later I am sitting in my living room, and my hands are shaking. I can’t believe that I see all of Levi’s boxes in my living room. There isn’t a lot, because Levi never had a ton of stuff. I can’t believe this happening. Levi and I are living together. He wanted to move in when his lease was up at his apartment. He took his furniture to his dad’s, but kept the main things.

“
Smarty, you have more shoes than the mall.” He flops next to me on the couch. “I’m surprised my clothes even fit into your closet.” He grabs my shaking hand. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

I swallow the lump in my throat. “We’re living together.”

“Um, yeah. Smarty, are you going to have like a mental breakdown because of this. Remember that we talked about this?”

“
You’re right. I’m just overthinking. I mean, we both start our internships on Monday and the draft is right around the corner. I’m a little on edge.” I curl up next to him.

“
Smarty, I’m being drafted, remember? You shouldn’t be nervous. Plus, you are going to be so great at that law firm they are going to give you the office on the top floor.” He kisses the top of my head. “How about we order in some takeout and then I can finish these boxes?”

“
Sounds like a plan, Mr. Carr.”

He gets up and opens the box closest to him while I call for a pizza. It doesn’t take long for Levi to unpack. I look around and see little pieces of him all around the apartment. He even cleans the apartment as he is putting up his stuff. I just roll my eyes every time he sprays or wipes something down. He’s a total neat freak.

“Our first dinner together.” Levi sits at the table, and I hand him a beer. I go to sit down, but he grabs me and pulls me into his lap. “Do you know how much I love your shoulders?” He kisses my shoulder.

“
I’m actually hungry, Levi,” I say as I feel his hand creep up my thigh.

“
To be continued, then?”

“
To be continued.”

Levi

“
Smarty!” I yell as I pick up a wet towel from the bathroom floor. I toss it in the easily accessible hamper as she appears in the doorway.

“
What? I’ve got to get going or I’m going to be late.”

“
You’re killing me here,” I say, picking up the clothes she left on the floor and holding them for her to see what I’m talking about.

Presley rolls her eyes. “Levi, I’m already cutting it close. I was going to pick them up later.” She steps into the bathroom, kisses me quickly, and says, “I love you. See ya later, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. I love you too, my little, messy girl.”

She smiles and then disappears to head into the city for her internship. All I have left to do is brush my teeth and then I’ll be on my way too. Things have been going well lately. Presley really seems to enjoy her internship, coming home every evening to tell me all about it. I love being here every night with her and waking up next to her, but I never realized how much of a neat freak I am. Yeah, I like my things clean and organized, but this is the third day in a row that there’s been towels and clothes on the floor. Maybe I should seek help or something. Nah, it doesn’t bother me that much. Just something to get used to. I wipe my mouth with a towel, finally ready to leave. The first thing I notice when I step out of the bathroom is that the bed is unmade. I can’t help but chuckle at what I could classify as one of Smarty’s bad habits. Oh well, I don’t have time. There’s a long day ahead of me with my own internship. Grabbing my keys and wallet, I leave the messy bed behind.

Even though I ran by the grocery store, I get home before Smarty and text her to let her know that I’ve got supper tonight. My mother’s favorite chili is on the menu because I’m in the mood for it. After I change into gym shorts and a different shirt, I begin supper. Presley comes home just after I’ve finished cooking.

“
Levi,” she groans, tossing her things on the empty corner of one of the kitchen counters. “I’m starving.” Presley walks into the kitchen and gives me a short kiss. “You’re the best,” she says as she takes two cans of soda out of the fridge and then sits down beside me at the table.

“
How was your day?” I ask. Presley groans again, and I smirk.

“
It wasn’t that bad, really, but the day just dragged by. How was yours?”

I shrug because it was just another day. Nothing special.

“This is good, thank you.”

“
Of course it’s good.” I grin at her. “I made it.”

Presley throws her head back, laughing. “It’s good because it’s your mom’s recipe.”

“Yeah, but the person fixing it has a lot to do with it too.”

She just shakes her head at me and we’re quiet for a few minutes. “Have I driven you crazy yet?” Presley looks up at me from underneath her lashes as she eats. “The clothes on the bathroom floor, the bed, the counter?” She looks a little nervous, but I smile at her.

“Maybe a little.” I drop my spoon in the bowl and lean towards her. “But if you’re going to be a little crazy, I might as well jump on the crazy train too. Right?”

“
Probably wouldn’t be a good thing if we were both crazy,” she softly laughs.

“
True, but don’t worry about, Presley.”

She nods and then asks, “What do you want to do tonight?”

I tell her that McCarthy texted me earlier about working out tonight, but I was thinking about skipping it. Our routine so far is being gone during the day, eating supper together, and then I work out with McCarthy afterwards.

“
Why don’t you want to go? You need to stay in shape, Levi.”

“
Are you saying that because of hockey or because of God Levi?” I give her my cocky grin, and she laughs, but refrains from answering. “Fine. Don’t answer. I figured we’d do something instead.”

Presley eyes me carefully. “Like what?”

“Like go out, Smarty. I want to take you out and do something fun.”

Smarty grins. “Where are we going?”

“Bowling. It’s time for our rematch, so I can show you that I can beat your ass.”

Presley laughs and I know that I’ll never get tired of hear that sound. “Should we invite Trevor and Marley?”

“If you want.”

We finish up eating, put up the leftovers, and leave our dishes in the sink. Smarty decides that she wants to drive and I tease her the whole way there about the state of her car. She has all of three things in her backseat. McCarthy and Marley are waiting for us when we arrive.

I love watching Presley around her brother and best friend. She’s obviously in her comfort zone, laughing and having fun. She’s relaxed without the fierceness and strive of being independent hanging around her. Smarty is sitting beside me as McCarthy bowls. I lean in and whisper into her ear.

“
I love you, Presley McCarthy.”

Those light brown eyes come to look at me, a faint smile on her lips. “I love you too. Are you trying to butter me up because you’re losing?” That eyebrow quirks up, waiting for my answer.

I chuckle and glance at the score. I’m losing to Presley by a few points.

“
This is how you beat someone’s ass?” she adds.

“
It’s all a part of my plan, Smarty.”

She laughs and then leaves me behind for her turn. My girl is freaking competitive and gloats about those few points that keep her ahead of me. Truthfully, I’m enjoying the show, so I don’t try as hard. And poor Marley has no skill whatsoever. The night ends with McCarthy winning.

~ ~ ~

Over the next few weeks, I learn a couple things. I have to say that living with Presley is both tons of fun, but at the same time, it’s something new and sometimes challenging. Having never lived with a girl like this before, I wasn’t prepared for some things. I never knew how long Presley took to get ready. I’ve told her on countless occasions to just throw her hair up, and she’ll still be just as hot. Every time, she rolls her eyes at me and proceeds to take forever to get ready. Sharing a bathroom with her is not fun, but we are starting to get in a routine of sorts.

We’ve even made a compromise, so she doesn’t drive me crazy. I’ll clean the dishes, as long as she keeps her clothes off the floor and the bed doesn’t have to be made every morning, unless I just feel the need to do so. It’s so weird to be sharing a room with her. I mean, up until Presley, I had only slept over at a girl’s house once, and now I’m living with a girl. I can’t help but love it though.

Between our internships and hockey, we’re pretty busy. But boy does it feel good to come home to the same place as Presley. Time flies with her, and I love every second of it. The draft is a couple days away, and Presley is on the verge of exploding with excitement. The closer we get, the more excited she gets. She’s floating on cloud nine right now, and I hope that I can keep her there forever.