Game Winner (Penalty Kill 3)

Chapter One

Presley

One month. It’s been one month since I’ve seen Levi. He officially moved to Pennsylvania three weeks after he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Even though we talk everyday, it hurts that I don’t see him. I had planned on trying to see him this weekend, before school started, but he was called to do some events for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. It’s strange seeing Levi’s face all over the news and the Internet.

He was upset to leave school and the Roxboro University Hockey Team, but he couldn’t do both. Ever since training camp started with WBS, they had Levi on the roster. They even discussed him starting on the first line. I really am happy because this is his dream, but I miss him too.

A knock at my door brought me back to reality and away from my thoughts of Levi.

“Victor!” I leap into his arms. Levi’s dad is the sweetest man and has been checking up on me since Levi moved out of the apartment. “What are you doing here?”

“I thought that I would take my favorite little girl out to dinner.”

“I think I’m your only little girl,” I tease him. Levi is an only child and Victor started calling me his little girl soon after Levi’s draft day. I think it aggravates my dad, but I love the attention that Victor gives me. It’s the way a real father would love his daughter.

He walks into my apartment. “I figured you were in here moping still. Am I wrong?” He gives me a stern look.

“I may have been…moping…for a moment.” I look down at the ground. The last time that Victor and I went to dinner, he told me that I need to focus on school, and the time would go by faster until Levi and I were together again.

“Well, how about you keep an old man company for dinner tonight?”

I laugh. “I don’t see an old man. I see a distinguished gentleman, and I would love to go to dinner with him. I need to get ready. Give me a few minutes.”

In my bedroom, I still can see Levi’s things that he had to leave behind in our closet. I let out a deep sigh. I miss him, but Victor is waiting. I change and quickly fix my hair.

Victor and I go to a local pizza parlor. It’s nice hanging out with him. There aren’t many people out, but classes are getting ready to start. I figure most students would be getting ready for their classes.

“Presley, I wish you would be in a happier mood.” Victor looks sad as he studies my face.

“I’m sorry. It’s been a month since I’ve seen him and I’m a little down,” I explain to him.

“I understand. I remember when Amanda and I were apart.” Amanda is Levi’s mother, who passed away when he was in high school.

“You two were apart?”

“Yes, Levi was still very young when the factory promoted me into management. I had to go to another factory for my training. We were separated for several months. It was the longest we were ever apart.”

“Wow.”

“I know it seems like forever, but it will be over before you know it.”

I nod. I know that he’s right, but I still miss him. Our food comes and we chat about the upcoming semester and Levi’s schedule. Victor and I have already planned to see as many games as possible and there are several times when Levi will be in New York playing. I can see the pride in Victor’s eyes every time we talk about Levi playing professional hockey.

My phone rings and I see Levi’s smiling face from draft day, looking back at me.

“Smarty, I miss you so much,” Levi says the instant I answer my phone.

“Aw, me too.” I know that my cheeks are hurting from the smile on my face from hearing his voice.

“What are you doing now?”

“Oh, I’m just having dinner with this really handsome guy.” I bite my lip to hold in my laughter.

“Excuse me?”

I giggle. “Hang on, you can talk to him.” I hand Victor the phone as he laughs.

“Levi, I can’t talk long on this phone because there is a Penguins cover on it.” He laughs. They talk for a moment and he hands the phone back to me.

“Smarty, call me when you get home, okay?”

“Okay, love you.”

“Love you.”

Victor knows that I’m ready to go and refuses for me to help pay for the food. He takes me home, gives me a hug, and makes sure I am safely inside before he leaves. I call Levi the second I get into my apartment.

“That was fast.”

“I miss you, Levi. So much. Tell me about your day.”

Levi goes into telling me about practice and some of the players he’s living with. AHL players usually live together because it’s easier if they are called up to NHL to move.

“Are you ready for class tomorrow?”

“I guess. Trevor is supposed to be back in the morning.” Trevor, my twin brother, was drafted the same day as Levi to the Carolina Hurricanes. Unlike Levi, Trevor only went to prospect camp. He did practice with the Charlotte Checkers, the Hurricanes AHL team, a few times, but they didn’t tell him to stay. It’s hard for some players that are drafted because if their team doesn’t need them, they will send them back to their respective colleges. Then when the NHL thinks they are ready, they’ll call them up.

“When am I going to get to see you?” Levi’s voice is low and seductive.

“Don’t tempt me in d

riving up there tonight.” I groan. “You will see me for the first home game. I’ll be getting a hotel that night too.”

“You better because I’m in the mood for a serious nap.” He teases.

I laugh, blushing at his words. Even though he can’t see me, I bite my lip. “I need a nap too.”

“Yeah, my hand isn’t doing it for me anymore.” He chuckles.

“Levi,” I gasp. “Don’t say that.”

“I bet anything your face is red as a fire truck right now.” He’s laughing because he knows that it’s true. My face is about to burst into flames.

“You’re so mean.”

“Oh, Smarty, I love you. Get some rest and call me after your classes tomorrow.”

I sigh deeply. “Okay, I love you.”

~

My classes start earlier than usual and are so boring. I keep telling myself that it’s going to be okay. I only have to get through these two semesters. I’m heading to the deli to grab a sandwich when someone tackles me from behind and kisses my temple. I turn around to see my twin brother smiling at me.