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

by Lindsay Paige

  “Smarty, you have more shoes than the mall.” He flops next to me on the couch. “I’m surprised my clothes even fit into your closet.” He grabs my shaking hand. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

  I swallow the lump in my throat. “We’re living together.”

  “Um, yeah. Smarty, are you going to have like a mental breakdown because of this. Remember that we talked about this?”

  “You’re right. I’m just overthinking. I mean, we both start our internships on Monday and the draft is right around the corner. I’m a little on edge.” I curl up next to him.

  “Smarty, I’m being drafted, remember? You shouldn’t be nervous. Plus, you are going to be so great at that law firm they are going to give you the office on the top floor.” He kisses the top of my head. “How about we order in some takeout and then I can finish these boxes?”

  “Sounds like a plan, Mr. Carr.”

  He gets up and opens the box closest to him while I call for a pizza. It doesn’t take long for Levi to unpack. I look around and see little pieces of him all around the apartment. He even cleans the apartment as he is putting up his stuff. I just roll my eyes every time he sprays or wipes something down. He’s a total neat freak.

  “Our first dinner together.” Levi sits at the table, and I hand him a beer. I go to sit down, but he grabs me and pulls me into his lap. “Do you know how much I love your shoulders?” He kisses my shoulder.

  “I’m actually hungry, Levi,” I say as I feel his hand creep up my thigh.

  “To be continued, then?”

  “To be continued.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Levi

  “Smarty!” I yell as I pick up a wet towel from the bathroom floor. I toss it in the easily accessible hamper as she appears in the doorway.

  “What? I’ve got to get going or I’m going to be late.”

  “You’re killing me here,” I say, picking up the clothes she left on the floor and holding them for her to see what I’m talking about.

  Presley rolls her eyes. “Levi, I’m already cutting it close. I was going to pick them up later.” She steps into the bathroom, kisses me quickly, and says, “I love you. See ya later, okay?”

  “Yeah, yeah. I love you too, my little, messy girl.”

  She smiles and then disappears to head into the city for her internship. All I have left to do is brush my teeth and then I’ll be on my way too. Things have been going well lately. Presley really seems to enjoy her internship, coming home every evening to tell me all about it. I love being here every night with her and waking up next to her, but I never realized how much of a neat freak I am. Yeah, I like my things clean and organized, but this is the third day in a row that there’s been towels and clothes on the floor. Maybe I should seek help or something. Nah, it doesn’t bother me that much. Just something to get used to. I wipe my mouth with a towel, finally ready to leave. The first thing I notice when I step out of the bathroom is that the bed is unmade. I can’t help but chuckle at what I could classify as one of Smarty’s bad habits. Oh well, I don’t have time. There’s a long day ahead of me with my own internship. Grabbing my keys and wallet, I leave the messy bed behind.

  Even though I ran by the grocery store, I get home before Smarty and text her to let her know that I’ve got supper tonight. My mother’s favorite chili is on the menu because I’m in the mood for it. After I change into gym shorts and a different shirt, I begin supper. Presley comes home just after I’ve finished cooking.

  “Levi,” she groans, tossing her things on the empty corner of one of the kitchen counters. “I’m starving.” Presley walks into the kitchen and gives me a short kiss. “You’re the best,” she says as she takes two cans of soda out of the fridge and then sits down beside me at the table.

  “How was your day?” I ask. Presley groans again, and I smirk.

  “It wasn’t that bad, really, but the day just dragged by. How was yours?”

  I shrug because it was just another day. Nothing special.

  “This is good, thank you.”

  “Of course it’s good.” I grin at her. “I made it.”

  Presley throws her head back, laughing. “It’s good because it’s your mom’s recipe.”

  “Yeah, but the person fixing it has a lot to do with it too.”

  She just shakes her head at me and we’re quiet for a few minutes. “Have I driven you crazy yet?” Presley looks up at me from underneath her lashes as she eats. “The clothes on the bathroom floor, the bed, the counter?” She looks a little nervous, but I smile at her.

  “Maybe a little.” I drop my spoon in the bowl and lean towards her. “But if you’re going to be a little crazy, I might as well jump on the crazy train too. Right?”

  “Probably wouldn’t be a good thing if we were both crazy,” she softly laughs.

  “True, but don’t worry about, Presley.”

  She nods and then asks, “What do you want to do tonight?”

  I tell her that McCarthy texted me earlier about working out tonight, but I was thinking about skipping it. Our routine so far is being gone during the day, eating supper together, and then I work out with McCarthy afterwards.

  “Why don’t you want to go? You need to stay in shape, Levi.”

  “Are you saying that because of hockey or because of God Levi?” I give her my cocky grin, and she laughs, but refrains from answering. “Fine. Don’t answer. I figured we’d do something instead.”

  Presley eyes me carefully. “Like what?”

  “Like go out, Smarty. I want to take you out and do something fun.”

  Smarty grins. “Where are we going?”

  “Bowling. It’s time for our rematch, so I can show you that I can beat your ass.”

  Presley laughs and I know that I’ll never get tired of hear that sound. “Should we invite Trevor and Marley?”

  “If you want.”

  We finish up eating, put up the leftovers, and leave our dishes in the sink. Smarty decides that she wants to drive and I tease her the whole way there about the state of her car. She has all of three things in her backseat. McCarthy and Marley are waiting for us when we arrive.

  I love watching Presley around her brother and best friend. She’s obviously in her comfort zone, laughing and having fun. She’s relaxed without the fierceness and strive of being independent hanging around her. Smarty is sitting beside me as McCarthy bowls. I lean in and whisper into her ear.

  “I love you, Presley McCarthy.”

  Those light brown eyes come to look at me, a faint smile on her lips. “I love you too. Are you trying to butter me up because you’re losing?” That eyebrow quirks up, waiting for my answer.

  I chuckle and glance at the score. I’m losing to Presley by a few points.

  “This is how you beat someone’s ass?” she adds.

  “It’s all a part of my plan, Smarty.”

  She laughs and then leaves me behind for her turn. My girl is freaking competitive and gloats about those few points that keep her ahead of me. Truthfully, I’m enjoying the show, so I don’t try as hard. And poor Marley has no skill whatsoever. The night ends with McCarthy winning.

  ~

  Over the next few weeks, I learn a couple things. I have to say that living with Presley is both tons of fun, but at the same time, it’s something new and sometimes challenging. Having never lived with a girl like this before, I wasn’t prepared for some things. I never knew how long Presley took to get ready. I’ve told her on countless occasions to just throw her hair up, and she’ll still be just as hot. Every time, she rolls her eyes at me and proceeds to take forever to get ready. Sharing a bathroom with her is not fun, but we are starting to get in a routine of sorts.

  We’ve even made a compromise, so she doesn’t drive me crazy. I’ll clean the dishes, as long as she keeps her clothes off the floor and the bed doesn’t have to be made every morning, unless I just feel the need to do so. It’s so weird to be sharing a room with her. I mean, up until Presley, I had only slept ove
r at a girl’s house once, and now I’m living with a girl. I can’t help but love it though.

  Between our internships and hockey, we’re pretty busy. But boy does it feel good to come home to the same place as Presley. Time flies with her, and I love every second of it. The draft is a couple days away, and Presley is on the verge of exploding with excitement. The closer we get, the more excited she gets. She’s floating on cloud nine right now, and I hope that I can keep her there forever.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  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 bette
r. 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.