Game Winner (Penalty Kill 3)

“Marley, didn’t know you were here?” Trevor comes over to her and gives her a quick kiss.

“Trev, will you do me a favor?” He nods. “Stand by Presley.” Marley walks around him and goes straight for Levi. He knows she is about to lay into him. Instead, she pushes him with all her might. He actually stumbles into the wall.

“Whoa, what the hell am I missing?” Trevor looks at me and back to Marley.

“Let me explain something to you, Mr. Carr. That is my best friend.” She ignores Trevor and points at me. “If you can’t get your head out of your ass and go back to the Levi we love and care about, then you will have to answer to me. Plus, you scare her again, I will release Trevor and your dad on you. Do I make myself clear?” Her voice is low and a serious tone.

“What the fuck is going on?” Trevor’s chest is heaving. I touch his arm and he looks at me.

“It’s fine.” I’m trying to calm Trevor down. When I glance at Levi, he looks like he is about to cry.

Levi puts his hands up, like he’s surrendering. “I was upset. I didn’t mean to scare her. I swear on my life, I would never hurt her.” Levi’s voice is nothing but sadness.

“Good.” Marley steps away from him. “Trevor, we need to go because they need to talk.” Trevor looks between all three of us. He’s confused and pissed.

“I’m fine, Trev. I promise.” I kiss his cheek, and he nods.

Marley takes his hand and leads him to the door. Levi and I stand in the living room, not saying anything. We just look at each other. I can see the hurt plastered all over his face.

“Smarty, I’m sorry. I would never hurt you.” He makes no move towards me. He stays against the wall. It’s then I see the first tear fall from his eyes. Levi is crying. I rush over to him and wrap my arms around him.

“Just talk to me, Levi. Let me be there for you. I can’t help you heal if I don’t know what’s going on,” I say. My neck is wet from his tears, and he holds me tightly in place. We stand there for the longest time until Levi and I finally stop crying.

I lead him over to the couch. “Talk to me please,” I plead with him.

Levi rubs his face and pushes his hands through his hair. “What if they don’t want me back?”

“Levi, you’re not the first hockey player to have a concussion.” I rub my hand up and down his back, trying to keep him calm.

“I was on the ice with the greatest players in the world, and I crashed into the boards.”

“What? Do you think that those great players haven’t crashed into the boards before?”

He doesn’t say anything. He looks ahead.

“Levi, I asked you not to be a jerk when you came here. You scared me today. I want you to get well. I want you back on the ice, but you have to think of your well-being first and hockey second.”

“I’m sorry, Smarty. I want back on that ice. I want that feeling I got when I was in that locker room. That night, I sat there and couldn’t believe where I was there. I thought about Dad and you in the audience, watching me. I wanted my mom there. I just wanted to be the best on the ice.” He gets up, kneels down, and faces me. “I’ve been saying this a lot, but forgive me, again.”

I run my hands through his hair. “Levi, I’m here for the long haul. With or without hockey, I’m going to be by your side. Please remember that we are a team, but you have to let me in, Levi. You can’t shut me out all the time.”

“I give you my solemn vow, Presley. I love you and I want you to help me through this.” He kisses me. As he kisses me, I feel his warmth and love pulsing through me.

Chapter Twelve

Levi

With my forehead resting against hers, I close my eyes and whisper, “I’m so sorry I scared you, Presley. I don’t know what happened.” I feel so terrible about it. Presley was upset, but we were just talking, and then I exploded on her. The rage rose quickly and took over before I even realized it. I’m ready to get some rest because my head is killing me, but I wanted to tell her that first.

“It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean it.” Her voice is soft, so I open my eyes to look at her. “I know that hockey is your number one in life, and I’ll do whatever it takes to help you get back out there, all right?”

“Thank you.” I kiss her gently, about to ask her if she’s ready for bed, but she speaks first.

“Levi,” she starts tentatively. “You were already upset when you came back from the gym. Why?”

Without really meaning to, I sigh. “Let’s go to bed, Smarty.” I stand, but Presley grabs my hand and stands as well, frowning.

“This is what I’m talking about. You aren’t talking to me. Didn’t we-”