Off the Ice (The Penalty Kill Trilogy) (Volume 2) (19 page)

Presley

June

We are in New Jersey and tomorrow is the draft. I just got out of the shower, and I’m brushing my hair, thinking. I think about how great the last several weeks have been. Levi and I have been doing great, and I’m still trying to remember to pick up my clothes. My internship is halfway over, and I haven’t learned a whole lot. Although, I can make a killer cup of coffee now. Levi’s internship ended on Friday. He enjoyed every moment of it and he told me he learned so much. They already told him that he could come back after Prospect Camp, if he wanted to.

I step out of the bathroom and see that Levi is standing by the window, just staring. His muscles on his back are rigged and hard. Trevor and Levi have worked out so much the past month. Even Trevor has gotten a serious six pack. A few times, Marley and I have run on the treadmill when they’ve worked out. After an hour, we are done, but they’re still going strong.

They had their final physical two days ago,  and Levi found out that four other teams were looking at him. Trevor found out there were two others looking at him too. I know that Levi is worried because Pittsburgh said that he might not be drafted until the second round now. Levi wants to go to Pittsburgh, but now he is unsure.

I walk up behind him and wrap my arms around him. I feel him relax around me. “Are you okay?” I lay my head on his back.

“I’m good, Smarty.” He rubs my hands.

“
Are you sure?”

“
Yep.” He turns around and wraps his arms around me. “Want to see if I can make you scream loud enough for your parents to hear?” He wags his eyebrows at me.

“
No.” I slap his hands away as they creep down my back towards my ass. My parents are in the room next to us. Then Victor is across the hall, as is Trevor and Marley.

“
Oh, Smarty.” Levi pouts his lips out, and I can’t help but laugh.

“
We have a big day tomorrow, remember?”

He huffs. “I know.”

“Let’s get some rest and tomorrow when you become Mr. Pittsburgh, I will let you bite me anywhere you want. Deal?”

“
Anywhere?” He perks his eyebrow at me.

“
Yep.”

“
Deal.”

~ ~ ~

All seven of us walk into the arena. I am shaking like a leaf and Levi is nervous too. Even though he doesn’t look it, I know he is.

“
Draftees, to the left. Family to the right,” the staff yells. Levi pecks my lips and hugs Victor, then goes to the left. We all know that they are having their pre-draft pictures for the jumbotron, but I don’t want to be away from him. I feel like I need him by my side. I roll my eyes. I’ve become one of those girls. The clingy girls. As if Victor is reading my mind, he wraps his arms around my shoulders.

“
He’ll be right back.”

We go to the left and check in. The usher shows us to our seats. Victor and I are directly behind Mom, Dad and Marley. Victor sits at the end and then there is an empty seat then mine.

I look out at the tables full of the NHL corporate staff. There are owners, general managers, presidents and everyone in between. On top of that, there are cameras everywhere. I look up at the jumbotron and see the potential list of first rounders. Levi is listed at 25 with Pittsburgh. Trevor is 24 with Chicago.
Chicago?

“
Daddy, why is Trevor listed with Chicago?”

Dad turns around. “Remember Chicago was talking to him a while ago? He might go there.” I look over at Marley, and she shrugs. I forgot that Chicago was in the mix for him.

“Then why did Carolina send the letter?”

“
Presley, they said it was a potential. Not definite.”

I nod. It makes me realize that is why Levi is worried. He has other teams looking at him, and it isn’t set in stone that he will go to Pittsburgh.

“Oh my God.” My chest is getting tight. With the way my luck runs, Levi will end up in California or Canada.

“
Presley, don’t worry. He is going to Pittsburgh. I know it.” Victor rubs my hand, and I nod.

I look over and see Trevor and Levi coming up the stairs. Levi has a smile on his face and I’m taking that as a good sign. They take their seats next to us, and the Commissioner of the NHL is getting ready to take the mic. Levi pecks my cheek and squeezes my hand. I’m about to ask him what’s going on, but the Commissioner announces the draft is open and the first team is on the clock.

I’m shaking. Literally, shaking. I don’t know if I can handle it if Levi goes far away. Yep, I’m the clingy girlfriend. I’m so that girl.

“
I’m being drafted, not you. Why are you shaking?” He whispers in my ear.

“
Trevor might go to Chicago and you could end up in Canada,” I whisper back. Tears are in my eyes.

Levi smirks. “Pittsburgh said they will take me in the second round.”

“Levi.” I point to the jumbotron. “You could go number twenty five.”

“
Nah, I’m not going then. I know they have someone else in mind for then. I’ll go second round, for sure.”

“
To Pittsburgh, right?”

“
Yep, don’t panic, Smarty.” He kisses my temple and then starts talking to his dad.

I sit there, as composed as I can be, and listen to picks number one through three get chosen. Then it happens. The only thing that the NHL Draft always does. It’s the surprise trade.

The Commissioner walks up to the microphone. “Pittsburgh has traded a player and their second round pick for the fourth pick in the draft.”

I whip my head to Levi. Pittsburgh gave away their second round pick. That was Levi’s spot. Levi looks deflated. Victor just whispers something at him and Levi nods.

Trevor turns around. “Hey, what the hell is going on?”

“
I don’t know. I guess I will go in the third round.” Levi shrugs. “No big deal.”

Trevor just looks at him and turns around. I can’t believe this happening. The third round? I can’t believe that he would go that far in the draft. The Commissioner walks up to the mic. My heart stops beating. I silently pray that they say Levi’s name and for the first time, Levi looks nervous.

“Pittsburgh has made their decision. You may make your selection.”

Just then the Pittsburgh executives at the table stand up with a jersey, and walk to the microphone. “Pittsburgh Penguins would like to welcome to our organization from the Roxboro Lions, Levi Carr.”

“Holy shit,” Levi and I say at the same time. He went number four. Number four! Levi stands calmly, and pecks my lips. Then he hugs his dad. As he goes down to the next row and hugs my family, even Marley.

He heads down to the podium next. The tears are falling down my face. He did it. He made it and there is no way I could be any prouder. Victor is beaming, and I see the tears in his eyes. I step over to him and hug him.

“I knew she wouldn’t let him go to another team.” I pull back and know that he is talking about his wife. “But it would have been nice to see him in orange.”

I laugh at him.

We watch Levi take pictures and then he’s being whisked off to the media room. I won’t see him for a while. Between the media and the pictures, he will be busy.

“
We have another trade to announce. The Carolina Hurricanes have traded their third round pick and two players for the fifth pick.”

“
Oh shit,” I hear Trevor and Marley say.

“
Trevor, could that be you?” I lean down and ask my twin.

“
It could be. I guess. I don’t know.” He shrugs like it isn’t a big deal, but I know him better. He’s very nervous.

“
Carolina Hurricanes have made a selection.” The Hurricanes’ executives get up and head to the podium. I move forward in my seat and put my hand on Trevor’s shoulder. Marley is holding his hand.

“
The Carolina Hurricanes would like to welcome the captain of the James Wayne University hockey team, Trevor McCarthy.” We stand and cheer for Trevor. He gives Marley a big kiss and then hugs me before hugging our parents. Mom is crying and Dad looks like he’s about to burst with pride.

They did it. Levi and Trevor made it. They are in the NHL. I couldn’t be more proud as I watch Trevor put on his jersey. The red suits him, but not as well as Levi in black. They usher Trevor away, like Levi, to the media rooms for photos.

A representative from the NHL comes to us. “Levi and Trevor will be busy for the next hour or so. There is a family room on the east side of the building. You can meet them there.” Then he is gone.

“
Victor, do you want to stay and see anymore?” My dad asks.

“
Nope. Let’s go see our boys.” We all stand and head down the stairs.

My heart is still beating so fast. I can’t believe that just happened. Levi and Trevor back to back like that was perfect. Though I giggle at how Levi will tease the heck out of Trevor for going first.

“Presley, you seem much more relaxed now,” Victor says to me.

“
I am. Everything is going to be great.” I smile at him.

“
Levi told me you were worried and you shouldn’t be. I’ve never seen my son this happy. It’s all because of you.”

I smile at Victor. “You Carr men sure know how to charm a girl,” I tease him.

“Of course. Where did you think Levi learned all his moves?”

I start laughing, because he is telling the truth. We make it to the family room and show our badges. The room is filled with excitement with the family members and friends. We talk to other members and everyone is congratulating us about Levi and Trevor.

I’m talking to Marley when I feel someone wrap their arms around my waist. I jump and turn to see Levi smirking at me. He is in his Penguins jersey with the Penguins hat.

“
Looking pretty sharp there, Mr. Carr.” I beam at him.

“
You aren’t too bad yourself, Smarty.” He leans in and kisses me. I hear Marley squeal. We break our kiss in time to see Marley jump into Trevor’s arms. I smile at seeing how happy my twin is.

“
Pres.” Trevor puts Marley down and then picks me up in his arms. “Love ya, Twin.”

“
Love you too.”

He puts me down and does a manly hug with Levi. It’s so great to see them together and getting along. Mom wants pictures and we gather together for her. We all are laughing and having a great time. It’s something I’ll never forget. We are getting ready to head out when a young female with a Penguins assistants badge comes over to Levi and us.

“Mr. Carr, could you and your family follow me for a moment?”

He nods and Victor and I follow behind him. I look over my shoulder, and Trevor just shrugs. We walk down a long hall that is filled with media and more prospects as the draft continues. She leads us into a room where two men in expensive suits are waiting.

“Levi, so great to see you again.”

Levi nods and shakes their hands. “This is my father, Victor Carr, and my girlfriend, Presley McCarthy.” The men smile and shake our hands. They motion for us to sit down at the table with them.

“Levi, there is a reason we called you back here so quickly. Don’t panic. We aren’t trading you to Philly or anything.” Everyone laughs, and I catch Victor rolling his eyes. I pat his hand, and he smiles at me.

“
So, why am I here?”

“
Simple. We were watching you all last season. We were really impressed at the physicals. Your times are impressive. We have decided to go ahead and send you to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton when practice starts in August. You will still have to attend the prospect camp in July, though. However, that is mainly for the press and fans.”

The man on the left pulls out a contract and hands it to Levi. My heart is pounding in my chest. Levi’s going to be a Penguin faster than he thought.

The man continues. “This is a three year entry level contract for WBS. You could be called up to the Pens and if you’re given a spot there, we will redo your contract.”

Levi has a shocked expression on his face as he stares at the contract in front of him.

“When do you need my decision?”

“
We need it now. Is there a problem?”

Levi looks at them. “May I have one moment with my family?” Both men nod and the three of us go into the hall.

“Son, what are you waiting for?” Victor whispers as we huddle away from the traffic in the hall.

“
If I go to WBS, I can’t finish college.” His eyes are sad. He wants his degree. He wants to work in a lab and create medications to help those that are sick.

“
Levi.” He turns to look at me. “What would your mom say?”

Levi closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

“I know what she would say.” Victor smiles. “She would tell you to sign that darn contract and become a Penguin.”