Game Winner (Penalty Kill 3)

Damn it, I sound like a chick. Look at what Presley has done to me! Rolling onto my side, I reach for my laptop, turning on the lamp as well. Maybe she’s online, and I can video chat with her. I really want to see her right now. God, I’m pitiful. Doesn’t matter, though. She’s online, so within seconds, her smiling face is on my screen.

“I would have thought you would be asleep right now,” she says.

“I was trying. Why are you still up?”

“Getting ahead on some assignments.”

Grinning, I tease her. “Look at you, being such a good student.” Presley rolls her eyes, but doesn’t say anything. “I’m happy about that because that’s why you were up and I really wanted to talk to you.”

“Levi Carr, are you saying that you miss me?” Her smile is the best thing I’ve seen all day.

“I’m saying exactly that. Why don’t you tell me something that I don’t know about you yet?”

Presley takes a moment to think about it. “Would you believe me if I told you that I used to always make my bed?”

I laugh. “I wouldn’t believe you for a second, Smarty. What happened to you?”

She rolls her eyes. “Mom used to make Trev and me do it all the time. Once I went off to college, I left that habit behind.”

I shake my head at her. “Okay,” I sigh. “It’s time I go to sleep. I’ll talk to you tomorrow sometime. I love you, Smarty.”

Her smile is small. “I love you too, Levi. Night.”

I’m able to fall asleep soon after my head hits the pillow.

~

Most of our games are on the weekends, so we spend the week practicing. Not being in school still bothers me, some days more than others. It’s so important for me to finish my degree. It’s just going to have to wait. I thought about taking online classes to continue working towards my degree, but I don’t think I would be able to handle both school and hockey. It would have been a heavy course load no matter how many I took, just because of the subjects.

After my phone call today, I’m very thankful I didn’t sign up for any classes. I sit on this new, exciting information for a couple of hours before deciding that I don’t want to tell Presley just yet. I have a better way for her to find out, and so the first person I call is my father.

“Hey son,” he answers.

“Hey, Pops. How have you been?”

“Really good.”

“Still feeling pretty good?” I ask.

“Yes, Levi,” he sighs, and I chuckle.

“Look, I was calling for two reasons. I have big news.” I pause to collect myself. “I’ve been called up.”

The last thing I expect my father to do is laugh. “That’s wonderful, son! I’m so happy. I knew you could make it.”

“Thanks, Pops. I can’t go into too much detail, but I’ll play this weekend. Presley has tickets to that game. I gave them to her the other week and told her to take someone, but last I heard, she hadn’t picked anyone yet. Work your magic to make her ask you. I really want you both to be there and it’ll be the best way to surprise her, if I can keep her from finding out beforehand.”

Pops thinks about it for a moment. “You don’t think it’ll be suspicious that I want to go see that team play?”

I laugh. “I said to work your magic. Think of something. She adores you, so I’m sure with a little convincing, she’ll do whatever you want.”

“All right, all right. I’ll see what I can do. Congratulations, son. You’ll do great. We’re proud of you.”

Sometimes, it kills me when he says ‘we’ to include my mother. My throat almost strangles me. “Thanks, Pops,” I manage.

We talk for a few more minutes before he hangs up. He’s got work to do after all. I just can’t believe that in a few days, I’m going to be wearing a P

enguins jersey with my name across the shoulders. This is my chance to prove to myself, my parents, Presley, and the rest of the world that I’m good enough for pro hockey. This is my chance, my only chance.