Off the Ice (The Penalty Kill Trilogy) (Volume 2) Read online

  “Yeah and McCarthy pissed me off with his comment after she walked away.”

  “What’d he say?”

  “Doesn’t matter.” When she props herself up to look at me, I take the opportunity to lean forward to kiss her. “Goodnight.” I smile afterwards.

  “You’re the tease.”

  I laugh, pulling her close as she lays her head on my chest once more.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Presley

  “Stop laughing.” I push Marley, who’s laughing uncontrollably. “This isn’t funny.”

  “That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.” Marley wipes tears from her eyes. “Come on, Pres. He’s a hot, horny college student. I’m surprised he hasn’t had a threesome already.”

  I hang my head. I told Marley about Levi’s and my conversation last night. I couldn’t get it out of my head. “So, do you think he wants one?” I know that I can’t do that.

  “Hell yeah he does. He’s a guy.” Marley sits the beer down in front of me. I have been at her apartment for the past hour trying to figure out what Levi is thinking. “But I don’t think Levi is like that with you. He barely shares you with me, let alone another sexual partner.”

  “You think?”

  “I know. Come on, think about it. Look at how jealous he is of Zack and you two haven’t been together in years.” She has a point. Plus, I don’t want to share Levi either.

  “Then if he brings it up again, I’ll just tell him ‘no’.”

  “Good girl.” We toast to that and drink our beers.

  We spend the evening catching up on what is happening with our classes and our plans for the summer. I’m trying to get an internship at a large law firm in the city and Marley has been trying to get an internship with the NHL. She hasn’t told Trevor yet, because she thinks that she won’t get it. But she is too smart not to.

  I’m about to leave when my phone buzzes alerting me of a text message. I didn’t think that Levi and Trevor were done with their workout yet. When I look at it, I see that it’s Zack.

  “Oh no,” I grumble.

  “Who is it?”

  I hold up the phone so that she can see the display.

  Zack: We need to talk

  “Well, looks like he might be sober, considering he is spelling everything correctly,” Marley quips.

  The phones buzzes again.

  Zack: I’m one of your oldest friends

  Zack: We have history together

  Zack: Please

  I sigh deeply and look at Marley.

  “He’s right. You have history and it’s just talking.”

  “You’re right. We’ve been friends forever.” I know that Levi will be busy working out with Trevor for at least another half hour to an hour. I text Zack and we decide to meet on the other side of town. I don’t want Levi seeing us. He was going to kill him the last time he saw him. I tell Marley that I will text her later, and I head over to meet up with Zack.

  On the way over there, I think about Levi and our relationship. I love him and even though we had a rocky start, we have overcome that. I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy in my life. My parents and I are doing better, and Trevor is doing the best that I’ve seen in a really long time. I think Marley has a lot to do with that too. I can’t think of anything going better as I pull up to the restaurant.

  “Is there a reason why we are meeting in a secret location?” Zack asks as we sit at the table.

  “Just tell me what you want to talk about.” I cross my arms. The waitress comes and takes our drink orders. I’ve already had a couple beers with Marley, so I just order water.

  “Are you hungry? I’ll buy.”

  I give him my evil eye because I just want him to say what he wants to say and then we can both leave.

  “Alright.” He holds his hands up like he is surrendering. “I just want to apologize for the other night.”

  “You could have done this over the phone.” I start to get up, but Zack stops me.

  “Wait, Presley, please.”

  There’s something that is begging in his eyes that tugs at my heart. I’ve known Zack for such a long time. He was there for me when Trevor left. He was my first for many things. My first real kiss. My first real date. My first…well, everything. I nod and sit back down.

  “I haven’t drank since that night.”

  My eyes go wide. Zack isn’t drinking? I can’t believe it. Zack has drank for as far back as I can remember.

  “I woke up the next day and felt horrible.” He looks down at his hands. “Plus, I don’t remember much. My buddies had to fill me in on some parts.” He takes a deep breath and looks up at me. “I didn’t mean to be such an ass, Pres. You’re my friend and I don’t want to change that. Can we just pick up from when I left last year? Can we be friends again?”

  I stare at him for a moment, and I see the sadness in his eyes. This is Zack. He will always be my friend. I give him a small smile and reach across the table and take his hand. We sit there for a moment, just holding each other’s hands.

  “Zack, we can be friends.” I want to make sure he understands my limitations. “But Levi is in my life. In fact, he is my life. I love him and if you don’t understand that, then this conversation is over.”

  He nods. “I understand. I’m not going to lie. I was hoping for something more, but I get it now.”

  “I’m glad that you understand.” I feel better now that I have my friend back.

  We sit there and talk about small things, like school and hockey. I tell him that I’m going to Pittsburgh to see the Penguins play with Victor and Levi. I tell him about my parents’ relationship and how it is getting better. We are talking about high school when my phone alerts me of a text message.

  Levi: Are you home?

  I know that I should tell him the truth, but I also know that he would be upset.

  Me: Be home soon. You there?

  Levi: Yep. Gonna take a shower. Wanna join?

  I gave Levi a key to my apartment as my Valentine’s Day gift to him. I thought it would show him how much I trust him. He seemed very happy and almost touched when I told him that I was giving him a key.

  “Listen, Zack, this has been great, but it’s getting late.”

  “Levi’s texting, huh?”

  I give him a stern look. “He’s my boyfriend and I haven’t seen him all day. Now,” I stand up and walk over to him, “I’m leaving and I’ll talk to you soon.” He stands up and hugs me. I think the hug lasts a little too long, but I don’t really put much thought into it.

  I go back to my car and head to my apartment. When I get there, I see Levi at the kitchen table doing homework.

  “Hey, Smarty.” He glances up at me. He’s sitting there without a shirt, just shorts, and I’m trying not to let my tongue fall out of my mouth.

  “Hey.” I give him a quick kiss. “What are you doing?”

  “Catching up. I want to make sure I’m not behind when we leave in a couple weeks. What did you do today?”

  I debate on telling him the truth, but I decide that I won’t. “I hung out with Marley.”

  He stares at me. I see the tick in his jaw. “Anything else?”

  I shake my head, and I turn to head to the bedroom. I know that if I tell him the truth that he will be mad, and I don’t want to fight with him tonight.

  I take a quick shower and change into my Penguins sweats and Crosby t-shirt. Levi is now on the couch watching ESPN. I curl up into his chest, but he doesn’t put his arms around me at first.

  “Hey, what’s wrong?” I look up at him. He is staring at the TV, but after a moment, he looks down at me.

  “Nothing, Smarty.” He finally puts his arms around me.

  I lay there, listening to his heart beating, and fall asleep.

  Chapter Twenty

  Levi

  McCarthy and I worked out over at RU’s gym again two days ago, and one of my teammates stopped to talk to me after McCarthy headed home. We were discussing a
particular exercise and when I was about to leave, he asked if I “was serious with that redhead from JWU? McCarthy’s sister?” When I said yeah, he told me that he was pretty sure she was at a restaurant on the outskirts of town with another guy, holding his hand.

  He obviously mistaken Presley for someone else because she said she was with Marley when I asked. Plus, who would she eat dinner with that she would hold his hand and who would she be out with that she wouldn’t tell me about it when I asked? I hate when I think of Zack. But it couldn’t have been Presley for the simple fact that when I asked, she didn’t say anything about Zack. It’s been two days, and I’m done thinking about it.

  ~

  March

  The weeks leading up to our weekend away fly by with schoolwork, classes, and working out. Pops, Smarty, and I are just getting in my SUV for the drive. Presley tried her hardest to sit in the back and let Pops sit up front, but he wouldn’t have it.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to sit up here?” she asks one last time.

  “Nope. I prefer not to have the better view of how my son drives.”

  “Hey,” I insert. “I’m a good driver.” I look in my rearview mirror to see my father shrug as if he doesn’t believe me. “If I’m not, it’s your fault. You taught me.”

  “My point exactly.” He laughs. “Your mother hated my driving. Always told me I had road rage. Never knew what she was talking about.” He chuckles.

  “I wouldn’t think you would be an aggressive driver,” Presley tells him. “You’re too sweet.”

  Pops and I both laugh. “Let’s get this show on the road,” I say as we start our journey. The radio plays softly for about thirty minutes before my father clears his throat and leans forward.

  “Are we there yet? I’m bored.” Pops chuckles because he obviously thinks he’s hilarious.

  Presley laughs and I say, “Don’t encourage him, Smarty.”

  She rolls her eyes and Pops starts telling her stories from my childhood. After about the third one, he catches my attention with his story.

  “Levi was terrified of car washes. The first time we took him through one, he peed his pants! He didn’t like it one bit.”

  “Pops, that is not true.”

  Presley is cracking up in the passenger seat. “It’s okay, Levi. Everyone’s scared of something, right?”

  My dad starts laughing, and I can’t believe she thinks he’s telling the truth. “Pops, tell her you’re lying. That never happened and I’ve never been scared of car washes. Smarty,” I glance at her, “You can’t possibly believe that.”

  “Why would your sweet father lie, Levi? Is that why you’re a neat freak? You keep your car really clean yourself so you won’t have to go through the car wash? Are you still scared?” Presley clutches her stomach as she laughs.

  “You two are ridiculous,” I say with a shake of my head. “No more stories, Pops.”

  “Fine. I won’t tell Presley any more about your childhood.” Thanks to my rearview, I can see him smirk and wink at Presley.

  “Tell me how you met Amanda,” Smarty says tentatively with a quick look at me.

  Pops laughs at the memory. I listen as he recounts the story I’ve heard so many times. He met my mother their freshman year of college. He saw her around campus a couple of times, but one day, they were both in the library at the same time. Pops walked up to her and sat down at her table.

  “I think I scared her a little at first. Imagine Levi walking up to a tiny 5’3” woman. But once I sat down and started talking to her a little, I asked her out, and she said, ‘I don’t know if I could go on a date with a Flyers fan.’ It took me a second to realize that she knew I was a fan because of my shirt. Before I could answer, she told me with a smile, ‘But I will. Someone has to show you that the Penguins are a better team.’ From then on, that woman had me wrapped around her finger. The rest is history as they say.”

  Pops tells Presley a little more about his relationship with my mother, but I zone out and decide to focus on driving. I’ve heard all the stories before anyway. Soon, we arrive at the hotel. Pops got us two rooms. One for him and one for us. We drop our things off and then head to the practice.

  Smarty is ridiculously excited as we watch the players on the ice. It’s amazing and bittersweet to be back in this building. The last time I was here, my mom was with me. The events of the trip similar as we’re here for a game and meet and greet too. Pops pats my shoulder like he’s thinking the same thing while Presley has her focus elsewhere.

  “I’m proud of you, son,” he says softly.

  “Thanks, Pops.”

  “Levi Carr?”

  We turn at the voice of a suited man who is walking towards us. “Yes, sir,” I respond and shake his hand as he comes to stand before me.

  “I’m Greg. We’ve spoken a few times.”

  “It’s nice to meet you. This is my father, Victor, and my girlfriend, Presley.”

  “It’s great to have you with us today. Having a good time so far?” he asks.

  “Yes, sir. It’s amazing to be in this building,” I answer.

  “Mind if I steal Levi away for a bit?” Greg asks them.

  They both shake their heads, and I’m whisked away to speak with a scout for the NHL. He asks about my grades and my major first, but then the conversation turns to hockey and things like my workout regime. Greg starts talking about the upcoming draft as well as the different things that could happen with that. It’s all very exciting and for a sliver of a moment, I wish my mom could be here as well.

  Greg eventually wraps things up with me, and I thank him before heading back to Smarty and Pops.

  “So? What happened?” Presley practically bounces.

  “We just talked, Smarty. Let’s head back to the hotel for a bit before the game.”

  “Yeah, I need a nap,” Pops adds.

  Back at the hotel, my dad heads to his room. A nap sounds pretty good after all that driving, so I lay down on the bed. Presley, however, is a bit like a kid on a sugar high.

  “Levi, don’t go to sleep! I’m too excited to be all excited by myself.” She jumps onto the bed after slipping off her shoes. I have to admit that a happy, excited Presley is contagious.

  “You aren’t going to faint, are you? Or even worse, drool?” I laugh.

  “Hey, there is nothing wrong with either of those considering the circumstances.”

  Rolling onto my side, I look at her. Her smile is huge, and her eyes are filled with readiness for it to be time for the game. Seeing her like this, so happy, I just want to kiss her. “No drooling. That’s a little gross,” I chuckle, teasing her. She rolls her eyes. “You kind of make me think of those crazy fangirls. I feel like I need to say that you can’t tackle anyone either.”

  “No promises. Plus, tackling means we may just fall to the ground accidentally and that is the perfect way to feel all those muscles.”

  “You so are a crazy woman,” I laugh, shaking my head at her. Crazy or not, I am most definitely looking forward to watching her enjoy every minute of tonight, and I have my dad to thank for making her so happy today.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Presley

  I’m shaking. I’m literally shaking when I sit down in CONSOL Energy Arena. I have my Crosby jersey on, and my leg won’t stop bouncing watching my players on the ice.

  “Smarty, calm down,” Levi whispers into my ear.

  “I can’t. I mean, look.” I point out to the ice where the Penguins are warming up. “They are right there.”

  “This isn’t your first time seeing them.”

  “I know, but it’s my first time seeing them here.” I give him a stern look. Levi just laughs and shakes his head.

  “Presley, are you okay? You look like you’re about to bust.” Victor sits down next to me.

  “I am. Victor, I don’t know how to thank you for this.” I give him my brightest smile. I still can’t believe Victor was able to do this for me. Well, I know it’s for Levi too, b
ut I know this is something my parents wouldn’t do for me. Even though we have become closer since Valentine’s Day, there is still a lot of rebuilding to do.

  The players leave the ice for the start of game. I can’t take it, and I know Levi is still laughing at me. Levi and Victor begin to talk about the players, but I can only focus on the jumbotron and watching the players in the hallway. Finally, after an eternity of waiting, the arena goes dark and the Penguins race onto the ice. I’m screaming at the top of my lungs, jumping up and down at seeing my boys on the ice.

  “I need to make sure that Dad brought enough bail money for you.” Levi laughs at me.

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re definitely going to tackle them.” I shove his shoulder and look back out on the ice.

  The game is intense. Each period is building up until the final moments. The Penguins are in the lead by one, and the Flyers are playing very physical. Victor is shouting for his boys and I see that Levi is concerned about too much excitement for his dad. I have to tell him during the second intermission that it is going to be okay. Victor knows how much he can handle, and Levi is just being overprotective.

  The final minute is on the clock. Everyone in the arena is on the edge of their seats, and then everyone is on their feet when number eighty seven takes the puck and skates down the length of the ice. He shoots and misses. The whole crowd moans in disappointment. The Flyers recover and skate towards our goal. Our boys quickly change lines, and the defense is all over the red line. It’s a perfect play until the Flyers score with twenty seconds on the clock and tying the game. I drop to my seat in agony. Victor is cheering loudly, and Levi is patting my shoulder.

  “There is still twenty seconds,” Levi says. I just look at him. Twenty seconds? Really? It might as well be one second.

  Timeout is called, and Victor is beaming with pride for his team. On the other hand, I could just punch a wall. Maybe I’m overreacting a little, but I really want them to win. As the players come back on the ice, I get back up and still cheer on my team. Win or lose, those are the greatest players and team in any league.