Off the Ice (The Penalty Kill Trilogy) (Volume 2) (8 page)

Levi

Tonight, I had two firsts. Shower sex and washing someone else. Watching Presley while I ran a soapy rag over her skin was way more sensual than I ever thought it could be. And then having her to the same to me? I shake my head at the thought, just as there is a knock on the door. Presley still has a towel wrapped around her, and I’ve only got on my boxer briefs.

“
Who the hell is here?”

“
I don’t know,” Presley answers.

“
Get dressed and I’ll go see,” I say, snagging a pair of gym shorts. The knock becomes more incessant after I’ve slipped on the shorts and walk over to the door. Just as I grab the handle, I hear a voice on the other side.

“
Pres, c’mon. Open the door.” It’s Zack, who sounds a little drunk. “Look, I’m sorry about the other night, okay? I might have been a little out of line. And drunk.”

I swing open the door, shock taking over his facial features that seems to sober him up a little. “Out of line how exactly?” What was he doing over here,
drunk
I might add, and why didn’t Presley tell me what happened?

“
Oh, Levi, hey.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I stare at him. “Answer my question.”

“Levi, who -” Presley begins from behind me. “Zack? What are you doing here?” I’m taking up most of the doorway, so Smarty is standing behind me, peering around on my right side.

My angry eyes never leave Zack. “He wanted to apologize for the other night.”

When Smarty grips my arm, as if he said what happened and she’s afraid that I might charge him, I get more pissed off. What the hell happened?

“
Presley,” I say evenly, glancing down at her.

“
I want to talk to Presley,” Zack interrupts, lifting a hand up on the door frame to steady himself.

“
Talk then.”

“
No,” Presley quickly interjects. “Zack, go home. Did you drive here? Do we need to call you a cab?”

“
But Pres,” he whines and I roll my eyes at him.

“
Levi,” she says softly, causing me to look at her. “Will you
please
help me get him back down the stairs? Maybe one of his friends drove him over. If not, we’ll just call him a cab.”

“
Don’t talk like I’m not even here!”

“
Shut the fuck up.” I glare at Zack before looking back at Smarty. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”

“
Thank you.”

Unfortunately, while Presley and I put our shoes on and our hoodies, Zack makes himself comfortable on her couch. Thankfully, he doesn’t fall asleep.

“All right. C’mon, Zack,” I say, helping him off the couch. He’s drunker than I thought. His weight is almost all on me as I walk him down the stairs with Presley following closely behind.

“
Thank the stars,” she says when we reach the bottom. “This way.” With Zack in tow, I follow her to a car. A guy gets out and starts apologizing.

“
Sorry, Pres. I told him he didn’t need to come over here, but you know how he gets.”

“
Just get him home safely.”

The guy nods and comes to transfer Zack from me to him.

“Presley, I just wanted to talk,” he slurs.

“
See ya,” she says to the other guy, completely ignoring Zack. Smarty takes my hand and leads me back to her apartment. “Don’t look at me like that, Levi,” she snaps once we walk inside.

“
Like what?” I ask innocently.

“
Like I did something wrong!” With a deep breath, she runs a hand through her hair. “He came over, said some stupid stuff, and left. He was a jerk, but that’s it.”

“
What did he say? Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask calmly, taking off my shoes and hoodie as she does the same.

“
I didn’t tell you because I forgot really. It was the night I went over to your house and found out about the email. I wasn’t thinking about it.” We crawl into bed, and her lips jut forward just a bit before she adds, “Plus, you may have been right.”

Narrowing my eyes at her, I ask, “About what? What did he say?”

“Just something about how you didn’t want him around, that I followed you around like a puppy, and that he thought I was trying to be my own person. So either he’s mad that I haven’t hung out with him much since he’s been back or he’s mad because it’s not just friends for him. Either way, it doesn’t matter. I kicked him out and went to your place.”

“
Okay,” I mutter after a few seconds pass.

“
Okay? That’s it?”

I pull Presley to me and she rests her head on my chest, her hair seeming to be everywhere again. “That’s it, Smarty. I told you that I thought you were capable of handling yourself, and you are. You did. But next time, especially if he’s drunk, call me. Or Trevor since he’s closer.”

“Okay,” she agrees.

“
Okay? That’s it?” I tease and she giggles. “I love when you laugh like that.”

She lifts her head to look at me and says, “What else do you love about me?”

“Everything.”

Presley rolls her eyes playfully and snuggles up to me again. “I love everything about you too.”

My favorite redhead drifts to sleep minutes later. Her question bounces around my mind along with the fact that Valentine’s Day is coming up. I’ve been trying to figure out what exactly I want to do, and I think I may have just figured it out.

~ ~ ~

This is our first Valentine’s Day together, and I want her to remember it for the rest of her life. Luckily, Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year. It’s taken me all week to get everything set up and ready. If she loves it, of course. I’m actually nervous that it will overwhelm her, or that she’ll completely hate it. I’ve never really put this much thought into something like this for someone else before. What if I fuck it up?

Holding in my sigh, I slip out of Presley’s bed. She wanted me to spend the night last night, and I didn’t turn her down. Plus, I needed to be here this morning. Even if I won’t be here when she wakes up. I really wish I could be, to see her expression, but if I want to make this the best, I have to get going to finish everything else. I’ve never been more thankful that she’s such a heavy sleeper.

After I dress, I walk around to where her phone is sitting on her nightstand, and I set an alarm with a message that breakfast is waiting for her in the kitchen. By the time it goes off, I’ll be gone, but her breakfast will be hot and waiting for her. If she goes ahead and gets up, that is. A huge part of my plan relies on Presley trusting me completely and doing everything I ask without question. Please don’t let her be stubborn today.

In the kitchen, I get to work fixing her favorite breakfast food. Pancakes. I cook some bacon too and realize my time is running out. Placing the stack of syrupy pancakes with bacon on the side on the table, I pour some milk into a glass and set it on the table as well. I grab the square envelope that dons the most crappy looking smiley face and heart I’ve ever seen, drawn by yours truly, and place it beside her plate. Also on the front is “Open Me First” in my scribble.

Quietly, I grab my things and leave. When Presley wakes up by her alarm, she’ll go into the kitchen and find that I made her breakfast. She’ll probably be wondering where the hell I’m at and why I’m not spending Valentine’s morning with her, or most of the day, in fact. I’m sure it will be worth it, though.

I hope.

Anyway, she’ll open the card, just like the three I gave her last year and she’ll read:

Morning Smarty,

Sorry that I’m not here with you right now. I’m hoping that this breakfast I made for you will make up for it. You’re probably wondering what is going on or why I left you this card. It’s simple, really. I’ve left a series of cards in various places for you to find. Each card will have something different written on it and you must read each and every one.

Each. And. Every. One. Smarty.

First, enjoy your breakfast. Because I’m running out of room to write, I’m going to tell you where the next card is, but don’t go get it until after you’ve ate your breakfast. I’m trusting you, Smarty.

Your next card can be found in your closet.

Forever yours,

Levi

I wanted to hide the card in her thigh-high boots, but to keep her from getting frustrated about not finding it quickly, I set it on top. That card reads:

You asked me what I loved about you the other week. You’re about to find out.

I love your beautiful red hair, how long it is, and how when you lay with me, it seems to be everywhere.

I love your eyes. The perfect shade of brown.

I love when you wear these boots. I like to think of them as your Fuck Me Boots. ;)

I love it when you say, “Fuck me.” Good lord, Smarty. I’m getting off track here and you have to be at the address below at ten. Your next card is under the passenger seat of your car.

Forever yours,

Levi

I’m sending her on a whirlwind of what I like to call “Everything I Love About You” Scavenger Hunt. I can’t wait for tonight when I can see how she liked it. I’ve never been more nervous about anything in my entire life.

Presley

Even though I’m a little sad Levi wasn’t in my bed, I'm excited to see what he has planned. I grab the card from my boots. God Levi, he’s hot, even through the words on his card. I put on my boots and dress quickly. Grabbing my keys, purse, and phone I race to my car to get the next card.

This is to hold you over until you reach your destination and get your next card.

I love that you love when I nibble on your skin.

I love that you love my father.

I love your motivation, your independence, your desire to prove yourself to your parents.

I love that you unleash your fury when you’re mad. (Kinda hot.)

I love how passionate you are and your desire to succeed and be your own person.

I think I made a mistake with this idea. I would say don't let all this get to your head, but I know you better than that. Plus, every God needs a Goddess. ;)

Forever yours,

Levi

The address is a local spa in the area. I make my way over there only to find Marley sitting in the lobby.

“
Um, Marley, what are you doing?”

“
Oh, just helping out a fellow RU student.” She has a wicked grin on her face.

“
Give me the next card.” I hold out my hand.

“
Nope, first we get massages.”

Marley goes up to the lady behind the counter and tells her that we are ready. We follow her back to a private room. After we change and get into our towels, the massage therapists come in.

It’s an hour and a half of pure heaven. Every muscle in my body is relaxed, and I feel wonderful. I quickly change and race over to where Marley is holding my next card.

“
Give it me.” I hold my hand out.

“
You’re a very lucky girl.” I blush slightly as she hands me the card. I rip into it and read Levi’s words.

I hope you enjoyed your time with Marley and your massage, Smarty. Or would you rather me call you Goddess Presley? :)

I would prefer to give you one myself, but this way, you got an entire massage. If I give you one, I would get caught up in your soft skin, naked body, and end up devouring you before I could finish the massage.

I love your body. It's perfect.

I love your giggle. That's perfect too.

I would just say that you are perfect (and you are,) but I want you to know exactly what I love about you. Sometimes, “everything” needs to be explained.

Your next card is at Lou's Diner with one of the waitresses.

Forever yours,

Levi

I squeal, peck Marley on the cheek, and race to Lou’s. I make it there in record time. I rush into Lou’s and search for the waitresses. I see a few of them at their station. Thank the stars it isn’t busy, and I don’t have to chase them around the diner.

“
Excuse me, I’m looking for a waitress that was given a card from Levi Carr.”

“
Oh, that’s me.” It’s the shorter of the waitresses. She reaches in her apron and pulls out the card. I rip it open and read:

You were feisty that night we were here. I loved your attitude then and still do.

I love how when you make a decision you square your shoulders and lift your chin a little. Ready to face the world.

I really love that damn tiny pout of yours. Do you even know that you do that? Because I notice every fucking time and it's adorable.

I'm forever ashamed of what I did to you, but if it wasn't for that, we wouldn't be here today as bad as that sounds. If it wasn't for the guy standing behind you, I wouldn't have had the chance to tell you everything. Every disgraceful detail. I still hate what I did, but I love that you gave me a chance to prove to not only you, but to myself, my father, and even my mother what kind of man I can be.

Enjoy lunch with your brother. He has your next card.

Forever yours,

Levi

I turn to see Trevor in the corner with a smile on his face. Not that I don’t love my twin, but I really want my next card.

“
Looks like you have your work cut out for you today.” Trevor smiles.

“
Just give me the card and say we had lunch.” I sit across from him.

“
Nope, you have to have lunch with me. Those are the rules.” I groan. “Hey, you don’t want to spend time with your twin brother?”

“
No, no, you’re right. We haven’t spent a lot of time together lately.” I relax as the waitress comes and takes our order.

Trevor and I begin to talk about the old days between us when we were young, before we were separated. He was always getting me into trouble, but he sees it differently. I roll my eyes at him with his silly comments on how I’m the one that got us into trouble. We eat our food and have a lot of laughs. I can’t remember the last time the two of us had fun like this. I almost forget about the cards.
Almost
.

“
Okay, give me my card.”

Trevor chuckles as he reaches into his jacket that’s hanging on the chair and pulls out the card. Just like the others, I rip it open.

I love your relationship with McCarthy. I admire it.

I love your dedication to everything you do.

I love your sense of humor.

I love your smile.

Remember when you told me that you thought I was planning to have sex with you on the ice? (We definitely need to make that happen, by the way.)

Go get your next card, Smarty.

Forever yours,

Levi

I jump up, hug my brother, and race to my car. I know he’s talking about the ice rink. It’s his favorite place.  Luckily, I don’t have that far to go. As I park, I search for Levi’s SUV, but sadly, I don’t see it.

Carefully, I open the door. I’ve never been here by myself, and it’s a little scary. My boots echo through the building. I know that Levi is always on the bench, so I head there first. That is when I see a large box and race towards it.

I open it up and stop. I can’t breathe as tears fill my eyes, and I stare down at a black and gold Penguins jersey. On it is the whole team’s autographs. I marvel at the letters written in black sharpie over the large number of 87 staring back me. I’m almost scared to touch it. It’s like the Holy Grail in my eyes, but I lift it up and a card drops out.

I open it and through my tears I read Levi’s words:

Hope you like your gift, Smarty.

I love your passion and your love for hockey. You know your stuff, Smarty.

I love how excited you get over the game.

I love how you defend what you love.

I love that you don't take shit from anyone.

Your next card is at my other thinking place. No worries. You don't have to go near the edge. Look for the pink zinnia in the greenhouse.

Forever yours,

Levi

The rooftop? Levi wants me to go to the rooftop? Oh no, I don’t think I can do that. But the card said it isn’t near the edge, and I'm hoping that’s the truth.

I run out of the rink, clutching my beautiful jersey, go back to my car, and I head across campus.

I open the door to the building and climb the stairs. Even with the greenhouse there, it is still cold on the rooftop. As I open the greenhouse door, I see the pink zinnias and my card. I pick it up and it reads:

This flower means so much to me because it was my mother's favorite kind. I can't see it without thinking of my mother and the night we came here. I told you that we all have to face our fears sometime.

I love that you aren't afraid of challenges.

I love how you drive me crazy.

I love that you own up to your actions and you make me do the same.

I love that you've trusted me in this adventure so far.

Don't hate me, but you need to go to the Royal and meet your parents. Don't lose faith in me, Smarty.

Forever yours,

Levi

I groan. It was going so good and then he wrote “my parents”.

“Well, fuck,” I say aloud to no one, but the flowers. Well, I’m not changing my clothes, that’s for sure. I’m going in jeans and a hoodie. I stick my chin up and head out the door.

I valet my car at the Royal and the hostess just stares at me when I ask where my parents are sitting. I’m sure her snobby ass is not happy with my outfit of choice. I see my parents sitting in the private room. They probably figure it’s best, in case I lose my mind again.

“
I’m here.” I sit down in my seat, as my parents look back at me.

“
Levi went through a lot of trouble for this to work out today,” Mom points outs.

“
May I just take my card and go?”

“
No,” Dad’s voice is stern.

I huff as the waiter comes. I just order something to drink since I already ate with Trevor.

“Levi came and talked to us, explained this big plan and we thought it was really sweet. It shows that he cares a lot about you.” Mom’s voice chokes up a bit.

“
He’s an amazing guy,” I say, smiling when I think of everything that has happened today, and how much I love Levi.

“
Your mother and I have been talking a lot since that night at your apartment. I think there has been a misunderstanding on both of our parts.” Dad’s face is somber as he speaks to me.

“
I don’t think-,” I’m about to argue my point, but Mom interrupts me.

“
May we tell you a story?” After a moment, I nod and sigh in defeat. My parents look at each other for a moment and then look back at me. My mother has tears in her eyes, and my father begins to tell the story.

“
I fell in love with your mother the moment I saw her. She was this independent and carefree, beautiful woman. She was the opposite of everything that I was. One night at a party in college, I told my buddies that I was going to marry her and I didn’t even know her name. I just saw her and I knew that I was going to be with her. So, I went up and used every charm I had on her. Some of it worked and some she could see right through.” My mom smiles big at the story he is telling. “Our time together, in the beginning of our marriage, was perfect. We both had great jobs and everything anyone could want. Then your mom told me she was pregnant and I thought my heart was going to explode with happiness. Then we found out there were twins and I cried.” My eyes grow wide. My
dad
cried. There was no way. My dad never shows any type of emotion, let alone crying.

“
He was sobbing like a baby when the doctor told us,” Mom confirms.

“
Anyway,” Dad shifts uncomfortably from the attention and continues. “The night your mom went into labor, I was a crazy man. I mean, I almost forgot where the hospital was and I worked there at the time. But we finally made it.” Dad stops and takes another deep breath.

“
Presley, when you were placed in my arms.” Dad chokes up and I can feel the tears building in my eyes. “I never thought I could love anything so much in my whole life.” My tears fall down my cheeks at my dad’s words.

“
Sweetie, he couldn’t speak when you came into this world. He was just beaming with pride when he held you.” Mom dabs the corner of her eyes.

“
Presley, you are so much like your mother. You’re so independent. You have always been that way. Trevor needs guidance, but we never worried about you. Over the years, I think our focus lost its path from letting you being independent to forgetting that you need reassurance that we are still here.”

“
We love you and you mean as much to us as Trevor.” My mom has tears coming down her face.

“
We are very proud of you and we know that whatever you want to do in the future, you will be successful.”

My dad and mom are proud of me. I can’t believe it. We all three sit there for a moment before I’m able to speak.