Off the Ice (The Penalty Kill Trilogy) (Volume 2) (6 page)

“Wait a second. Please tell me we’re not going to skate on this?”

“
You said frozen water didn’t scare you, Presley,” I remind her.

She glances back at the ice. “Yeah, but...”

Hooking my fingers into two belt loops, I pull her to me. “We’ll have fun, I promise. First, we need to talk about yesterday.”

“
Levi,” she sighs, “I don’t want to argue.”

“
We aren’t going to either. But I need for us to talk about this.”

Her light brown eyes study me before giving in.

“You completely threw me for a loop when you told me your first was Zack and I probably could have handled it better. But Presley,” I cup her flushed cheeks in my hands, “I don’t buy the just friends shit, not for Zack anyway.”

“
Levi.” Her lips part.

“
Let me finish. And the fact that he still hangs around? Definitely don’t like that, but if you want him around, fine. I don’t have to trust him, and I sure as hell don’t. But I trust
you
and that’s good enough for me. Just for curiosity's sake, how would you like it if I hung out and talked to Sunny still? Knowing that I slept with her.”

Smarty frowns her cute little pout. “You’re saying you aren’t friends with
any
of the girls you slept with?”

“
No. Would I help them if they needed it? Probably. Would I talk to them regularly or anything more than a passing acknowledgment? No. The closest of a friend to me out of any of those girls would be Sunny. And even then, friend seems to be too strong of a word. I had her back and she had mine, but that’s it. Look, Presley, I’m not trying to open a new can of worms here.”

“
I guess I see your point.”

“
That’s all I wanted. I’m sorry for blowing up at you.” I give her a short and sweet kiss. “Are we okay now?”

“
Yeah and I’m sorry for throwing numbers in your face. Sorry for the whole thing, really. I was
maybe
just a
little
jealous over Allie.”

I dip my head and nibble on her neck. “Who?” My girl laughs, bringing out a smile from me. “Let’s skate, Smarty.”

While we exchange our shoes for a pair of skates, Presley keeps talking, worried.

“
Are you sure this is safe? I mean, what if we fall in?”

“
If it wasn’t safe, I wouldn’t let you be out there, Presley.”

“
Let’s do this then.”

I can’t help my grin as she props her hands on her hips, looking a little excited, but a little nervous too. Without waiting for her, I skate onto the ice and then around a few times. Holding out my arms, I say, “See? Completely safe!” I glide to a stop in front of her, that beautiful smile taking my breath away as I take her hands and lead her onto the ice with me. She’s a little wobbly at first, trying to get used to the difference, but soon we’re skating along, enjoying ourselves.

Presley

February

"Okay, let me understand what you're saying. You went on a date with my twin brother?" I'm taken aback when Marley, who's sitting across from me, tells me Trevor and she went out last night.

"Are you mad?" Marley asks quietly.

"I'm not sure what I'm feeling. I’m happy and confused. Are you happy?" A huge grin comes across her face, and I don't think I've ever seen her eyes light up like that before.  "Well, as long as you two are happy then I am."

Marley leaps up and hugs me. "I was so worried."

"Don’t be worried. I’m just a little shocked, but enough of that nonsense." I wave her off. "Tell me everything, just leave out the sex. " Marley tells me how she's liked Trevor for a long time and with tutoring him, they've become close. Finally, he asked her out. They had dinner and a great night together, and she didn’t even mention sex.

“
I didn’t realize that you liked Trevor for that long.”

Marley nods.

"Well then, I'm so happy for you."

"Who are we happy for?" Levi and Trevor sit down at the table with us.

"Trevor and Marley are dating." I smile at Levi.

"I already figured that out." Levi grabs a fry from my plate.

"You did? When?" Trevor asks confused.

"That night we all went to dinner with your parents. Your mouth dropped open and drool was everywhere when you saw her."

"Shut up, Carr." Trevor puts his arm around Marley. I can see that they are both looking very happy. So, I'm so happy for him and her.

"How are things with your parents?" Marley asks

"Okay, I guess." In reality, we've only talked a couple times since that night I blew up at them. Our conversations have been short and to the point.

"Let's talk about something fun." Trevor waves the waiter down and changes the topic. He must realize that I don’t want to talk about it.

"How about we discuss spring break." Levi hops into the conversation.

“
Yes, let’s talk about that.” Marley claps excited. “Where are we going?”

“
Well, Trevor and I were talking-,” Levi starts.

“
Woah,” I interrupt him. “Trevor and
you
?” I look between them both.

“
Easy, Smarty. We’re not exchanging friendship bracelets or anything.” We all bust out laughing at the table.

“
Fine. Where are we going?” I ask.

After we all discussed our own ideas, we came up with flying down to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. None of us had been there before and the flights seemed cheaper than other places. We talk a bit longer, eat some food, and then we head our separate ways. 

Standing outside my car, Levi wraps me in his arms. There is still snow on the ground and it’s freezing, but in his arms, I’m perfectly warm.

“
Wanna come home with me?” Levi asks.

“
What? We hardly ever go to your place.”

“
Yeah, but I figure change is good. Besides, I have a better selection of beer and DVDs than you do.” He smirks at me.

“
Yeah, right.” I slap his shoulder, which doesn’t do anything since he has a hoodie and a jacket on. “But, yeah I’ll come over. I need to grab some stuff from my apartment.”

“
About an hour then?” I nod and he leans down and kisses me.

I head back to my place and begin to pack an overnight bag. I’m almost done when there is a knock.

“Hey, you.” I greet Zack on the other side and let him in.

“
I thought I would come over and see what you’re up to. I haven’t talked to you in forever.” He gives me a hug.

“
Are you drinking?” I ask as I push away from him.

Zack shrugs. “A few beers.” I know better than that. His words are slurring.

“Oh.” Zack always drinks. He loves partying, and that’s something I’m not into at all. I head back to my bedroom, and he follows. “I’m heading to Levi’s tonight. What are you doing?”

“
Well, I thought we could go out tonight.”

“
Sorry, maybe we can grab lunch sometime this week.” I zip up my bag and turn to look at him. He seems angry. “Zack?”

“
What the hell, Pres? We’ve hardly spent any time together since I’ve come back. It seems like your little boyfriend doesn’t want us hanging out.” He’s shouting at me, and he is growing angrier.

“
First, I’m busy with classes. Second, Levi isn’t little. Third, stop yelling at me.” I count out to him.

“
Whatever. If you want to follow your boyfriend around like a lost puppy, so be it. But that’s bullshit. I thought you wanted to be your
own
person.”

“
Get out, Zack. Just go.” I don’t need to listen to him putting down Levi or me.

“
Fine. Just forget it.” Zack turns and walks out.

I roll my eyes on how he was acting like a jerk. I grab my bag, keys, and head out to Levi’s.

~ ~ ~

“
Hello, Presley.” Nichols opens the door for me.

“
Hello.” Even though Nichols and I had issues, I know that Levi and he have made up. I’m not going to hold a grudge either. “Where’s Levi?”

“
He ran to grab the pizzas. He said that he’ll be back shortly. We’re in the living room getting ready to watch a movie if you want come in there.”

“
Sure. Let me put these in Levi’s room.” I motion to the bags in my hand.

I take my bags and drop them on the bed. I put my purse on the desk, and it falls over, spilling my contents everywhere. I curse and begin to pick up my items. I accidentally move the mouse on the pad, and the computer wakes up. On the screen is an email. I look and see a Pittsburgh Penguins logo.

As I began to read the email, it states that Levi has an option of being drafted in June and there is an invitation for prospect camp in July.
This June
. Levi is going to be drafted in June. He’s going to Pittsburgh. Why didn’t he tell me? I look at the date, and it’s dated for today. He’s known about this all day and didn’t tell me. My heart is beating so fast with excitement, worry, and nervousness. What will happen to us if he gets drafted and leaves? Will he finish college? Will he get signed right away? My brain is trying to process this information as I stare at the screen.

“
You’re so nosey,” Levi’s voice brings me back to reality.

“
Why didn’t you tell me?”

He smirks. “Well, I was going to tonight. I just got done telling Pops.”

“I’m so proud of you.” I rush to him and wrap him in my arms. My eyes fill with tears of happiness and anxiety of the future.

“
I wanted to tell you the second I got the email.” He looks down at me. “Hey, why the tears?”

“
I’m happy, Levi. I know you’ve worked so hard. Plus, you’ll be playing with Sidney Crosby and I’m a little jealous about that.” He busts out a laugh, and I’m glad that I can break some of the tension.

“
Well, the guys don’t know yet. Let’s keep it between us right now.” I nod. “Come on, let’s eat.”

The guys and a couple of other bunnies have pizza spread out everywhere. I grab a slice, a soda, and sit next to Levi. I’m in no mood to eat since my nerves are bouncing everywhere. Finally, they start the movie. I stare at the screen and try to pay attention, but that doesn’t happen.

I excuse myself and was going to go to the bathroom, but instead I go to Levi’s room. I sit on the bed with my head in my hands and try to regain my thoughts.

“
Smarty, what’s wrong?” Levi comes in and shuts the door.

I can feel the tears building up, and I just shake my head.

“Hey, tell me.” He kneels down in front of me and lifts my chin to meet his eyes.

“
It’s silly,” I choke out.

“
Smarty, are you worried I’m going to out-play Sidney Crosby?”

I can’t help but laugh as a single tear releases down my face. “A little, but that’s not it.”

“I figured. So tell me.”

“
What about us?” I whisper it in hopes that he doesn’t hear.

“
Wait, are you worried about our relationship if I go to Pittsburgh?”

I nod.

“Oh, Smarty.” He wraps me in his arms. No matter where I am in the world, his arms are my home, and I cry. “Hey, don’t cry.”

“
I’m sorry,” I sob.

Levi pulls away and sits next to me. “First, don’t be sorry. Second, nothing is going to happen to us. You know that even if they draft me, it doesn’t mean I’ll be called up. Most prospects finish college or go into the AHL.”

I laugh through my tears. “That means you’ll be in big ol’ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.”

“
Yeah,” he chuckles. “It will be fine. Please don’t worry.”

I nod again. “I know it’s silly, Levi. Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. I love you and I’m not going anywhere without you.” He kisses me and all my nerves settle. “Better now?”

“
Yes, thank you.” My phone begins ringing and I see
Trevor
on the display.

“
Guess what?” He says as I pick up.

“
What?”

“
Two words. Carolina. Hurricanes.”

“
Okay, why those two words.” Then it hits me. If Levi got his letter, then Trevor got his. “Oh. Eem. Gee. Are you going to Carolina?”

“
Option to draft in June and heading to camp in July.” One thing about the NHL, everyone is on the same timeline.

“
I’m so happy for you.” Now, I’m crying again and Levi just shakes his head.

“
That Trevor?” He asks and I nod. “Tell him congrats.”

“
Levi says congratulations.”

“
Hey, where is he going?”

“
Um,” I know that Levi didn’t want lots of people to know, but he must have heard him because he nods. “He’s going to Pittsburgh.”

“
Well, you must be thrilled. Hey, all of us should celebrate. Tomorrow night?”

“
Okay, you’re on.” Trevor and I say our goodbyes and hang up.

“
We’re all going to celebrate tomorrow.” I look at Levi as he has a smirk on his face.

“
I think you and I need to celebrate right now.”