Off the Ice (The Penalty Kill Trilogy) (Volume 2) (5 page)

Levi

Every year, there is an annual winter festival and that is how we are spending our day. Pops looks healthy and happy being out and about with us. Maybe this family trip he planned for us will be really good for him. Although, he really shouldn’t have spent all that money. There’s no use in worrying about it because my father will not hear any of it.

So far, we’ve been walking around, just looking at everything. Pops’ nose is red as can be, and I hope he doesn’t get sick.

“
I’m going to sit down for a minute, son. You two go ahead and I’ll catch up to y’all later.”

“
Are you alright, Pops? We can sit here with you,” I say.

My dad glares at me as Presley squeezes my hand. Seriously? I can’t worry about my old man anymore?

“I’m fine, Levi. Just going to rest and maybe grab something to eat.”

“
Yeah, but -” I start.

“
We’ll swing back around soon,” Presley interrupts.

“
Have fun.” He smiles as Smarty drags me away.

“
You’re smothering him again, Levi,” she says after we walk a little ways.

“
Will you stop saying that? Can’t-”

“
Levi Carr?” a familiar female voice says to the left of me. I look and see the face of an ex-girlfriend from high school.

“
Allie? Hey, how are you?” I ask, returning the hug she gives me. Allie is a couple inches taller than Presley with legs that always seemed to be miles long in combination with long, curly brown hair and brown eyes to match.

“
Good! How are you? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. You’re at Roxboro, right?” Her hand is still on my arm as she talks to me.

“
Doing great. Yeah, I’m at Roxboro.” Presley’s grip in my hand turns into a death grip. “Forgive me, Allie. This is my girlfriend, Presley. Pres, this is Allie, a friend from high school.”

Allie sticks her hand out to Smarty and chuckles, “Yeah, Levi and I were
just
friends.”

Really, Allie? I watch Presley to see her reaction.

“So nice to meet a high school friend of Levi’s.” Her smile is fake.

Allie turns to me and asks, “How is Mr. Carr? Mom said he was in the hospital not too long ago. I wanted to stop by and see him, but you know, didn’t know if I should.”

“Pops is doing better, thanks for asking.”

“
Yeah, Victor is doing a lot better. We are spending the whole weekend with him.”

Allie looks a little shocked, but I don’t know if it’s from Smarty calling Dad by his first name or the fact that she’s staying with me at Dad’s. Both are privileges that Allie didn’t get. And quite frankly,
I’m
a little surprised by Presley, who is now leaning into me a little with our arms around each other's waist.

“
Well, we’re just on our way to see the rest of the festival. Nice to meet you.” Smarty has the fake smile still on her face. 

“
Yeah, nice to see you again, Allie.”

“
Nice to see you too, Levi. Maybe we can have lunch or something next time you’re in town?”

“
Oh, I -” I can’t even finish my sentence before Presley speaks up.

“
Oh, we can’t. We will be busy. Sorry.” Smarty starts walking away, dragging me with her.

I finally let out a laugh. “Who’s jealous now, hm?”

“I’m not jealous, Levi.”

“
I beg to differ, Smarty. That was definitely the behavior of a jealous girlfriend. A little jealousy is good, remember? Isn’t that what you told me?”

“
Well, I might have been little taken aback. So, how long did you date her?”

I shrug, wondering if I should pretend not to remember.

“Levi, I know you remember. Come on, how long?”

“
Freshman and sophomore year of high school,” I say, giving in to her.

“
Wow, that long.” She pauses. “Was she your first?”

I groan. “Smarty.”

“What? It’s an honest question that I’m asking.”

“
Fine.” She probably won’t let it go if I avoid it. She’s too damn stubborn. “Yep. Are we done talking about what’s her face?”

“
Allie. Her name is Allie and she was your first.” Yep, she’s mad.

“
I know all the details, Smarty. Do
you
want to tell me who your first was since we’re on this topic?” Maybe that will make this end. My past with other girls doesn’t matter because Presley is my future.

“
My first was Zack.”

I stop dead in my tracks. “Zack? As in the Zack I met?” She has
got
to be kidding me.

She shrugs like it’s not a big deal. “Yeah, the same Zack. We’re just friends now, though.”

I can’t believe this shit. “So you fucked him, your
first
, and now you are just good friends?”

She puts her hands on her hips, and anger is in her eyes. “First, I did date him. Remember, I’m not one of your bunnies. I just don’t go around sleeping with random people. I bet my number is
way
less than yours, buddy. Second, we’re just friends. That’s all. Just. Friends.”

I don’t know what I’m more pissed about, but my mouth decides to talk anyway. “No wonder that ass doesn’t seem bothered by me. He probably thinks he staked his claim on you long ago! Like he has an advantage or something. And my numbers? The list isn’t as long as you probably think. Okay, maybe a little longer, but that’s not the point! How are you still just friends with him? How is
he
just friends with you? This is such bullshit.”

“
Right now, I suggest you stop yelling. Do you want to know the story? Do you? Fine. I’ll tell you. Trevor was gone and I was so upset. Zack was there for me and protected me. So, we started dating. Then one night, after a party,” she takes a deep breath, “we just did it. I mean, it happened. After dating a little bit longer, we realized it wasn’t working for us. We were better off as friends. We have remained friends ever since.”

“
Is that why you don’t care for parties?” I grit out. God, I’m so pissed about this! How much is he going to be around since he’s not studying abroad this semester? This is so fucked up.

“
Well, that’s one of the reasons. Plus, I don’t feel in control at a party. People are everywhere, always acting crazy and drunk. I just don’t like it.”

I stare at her for a moment and then decide I’m done talking about it. For now, at least. “Let’s just go find my dad, Presley.”

“Levi,-”

“
This conversation is over, Presley. I’m not going to keep arguing with you in the middle of a festival. I’m going to find my dad. Are you coming?” I dare her to say no.

“
Yes, Levi, and I don’t want to argue either.”

“
Then c’mon.” I take her hand, and we turn around to head to where we last left Pops. Sure enough, he’s still there. I don’t even want to be here anymore, but we can’t just leave, so I plaster on a smile.

“
See anything fun?” Pops asks.

“
It all looks fun,” I answer. “Ready to walk around some more?”

My dad stands, nodding his head. The day pretty much turns into Presley and Pops hanging out while I pretend not to be angry. Dad wins her a little penguin on a ring toss game and pokes fun at her about it.

“Levi,” my dad says exasperated when I don’t laugh at one of his jokes. “I don’t know who got your panties in a bunch, but untangle them. You’re sucking all the fun out of today.”

“
Sorry, Pops. Want me to win you a penguin?” I grin.

He laughs. “That’s better. But no, I’m fine. You can buy my supper, though.”

“Mine too,” Presley adds with a smile.

Some of the tension falls away with just her smile. I sling an arm around her shoulders and then another around my father’s. “Where to?”

“Let’s just grab a quick bite on the way home. Winning that thing for the lovely girl wore me out.” Pops smiles, but he does look tired. It seems like he gets exhausted easily nowadays, and it doesn’t help with my worrying.

“
Let’s go then,” I say before we head to my car.

~ ~ ~

Pops goes to bed shortly after we arrive home and Presley and I soon follow. She’s in the bathroom changing, and I’m sitting on my bed, looking at the wall with the hockey sticks and all my accomplishments that my mom put together. It’s gotten easier to be home and see it, but with my current mood, it doesn’t help.

I decide that I don’t want to think about it still and to make sure that Presley doesn’t try and make me, I’m going to lay down and ‘fall asleep’ before she comes back. My eyes stay closed as I hear her enter, crawl into bed behind me, and whisper my name. I don’t budge an inch. Smarty sighs, moves to get comfortable, and is out within thirty minutes. I, on the other hand, can’t sleep for shit.

Throwing back my covers after a few hours, I go to the kitchen. Maybe a glass of water and a change of scenery will help. With the flip of a switch, I turn on the light and fix myself a drink.

“
Son?”

Whirling around, I see my dad wearing a robe over what is probably a shirt and underwear.

“What are you doing up?” I ask.

“
This is my house. I can be up whenever I want to. What are you doing up?”

“
This is my house too,” I point out.

“
Yeah, yeah,” he says, pulling out a chair at the table. “Answer my question, son.”

After I take a seat at the table with him, I tell him. Mom was always my go-to parent, but Pops and I were just as close. Momma made sure we were, especially after we found out she was sick.

“Presley and I just got into an argument is all.”

“
That was obvious. Go ahead and spill, son. I’d like to go back to sleep at some point.” He tries and fails to hide his smirk. Crazy old man.

“
Hey, I’m not stopping you.”

“
Indirectly, yes you are.”

“
Fine. We ran into Allie. You remember her, right?”

“
Mhm. Haven’t I already told you that my memory is fine?”

I chuckle. “Right. Well, I was joking with Presley about being jealous and then it all just blew out of proportion. Presley kept asking questions, so I thought if I asked her, she would leave it alone, you know? Instead, she answered like it didn’t even matter that the guy she was talking about is still friends with her! I knew something was up with him because he’s a lot smaller than me and I couldn’t even intimidate the guy, even mad.

“So when I found that out, I got pissed, uh mad,” I correct. “I was fed up and told her I was done talking about it, so we went to find you. I even faked sleeping so I wouldn’t have to talk about it with her yet. All of it just seems messed up and I can’t make up my mind about it.”

Pops shakes his head. “Son, I wish you took after your mother in situations like this, but you’re more like me. When you get angry, you hold on to it for too long and you should know all that does is cause problems. You are the type of person that absolutely must talk about it to settle things, because if not, you won’t let it go. So tomorrow, you get your act together, talk to that girl, and get over it. Understand?”

“Yes, sir. Thanks, Pops.”

He stands and pats my shoulder. “You’re welcome, son. Don’t make me get out of bed before morning again.” He grins.

Laughing, I say, “No promises.” After I go back to my room and climb into bed, Smarty rolls over to snuggle up to me. An idea forms in order for me to follow Pops’ advice as I hold Presley to me, loving the simple fact that she’s here with me.

“
Levi, love, mmm,” she mumbles incoherently.

“
Forever yours,” I whisper into her hair before falling asleep.

~ ~ ~

Breakfast with my father goes smoothly, great even. “Okay, Smarty. Are you ready?”

“
For what?” she asks, turning in her chair to look at me as I put the last of the dishes in the sink.

“
We’re going out for a little bit. Is there anything you need from my room?”

“
My phone, but where are we going?”

“
You’ll see.” I smile and kiss her temple as I walk past her. After I grab my keys, wallet, and both of our phones, I whisk Presley away to my vehicle. A couple of minutes pass and Presley sits up a little straighter in her seat.

“
We’re going to your dad’s land?”

I nod and leave it at that. Once we arrive, I park the car, walk around to open the door for Smarty, and take her hand to lead her to the edge of the frozen pond.