Game Winner (Penalty Kill 3)

I stare down at every shiny, glitzy diamond looking back at me. It’s hard not to think about Levi someday asking me to marry him. Not that I was planning on that any time soon.

“What are you thinking?” Trevor is standing next to me, and he looks like he is about to go in front of a firing squad.

“Trev, you do know these are engagement rings, right?” I want to make sure that he knows the difference. “I thought you were getting a promise ring.”

“Well,” his voice trails off. I watch him shift nervously and run his hand through his hair.

I gasp loudly. “Are you going to propose?” I grab his bicep to steady myself.

“Well,” he repeats, pausing for a moment. “I mean…see…um,” he stammers.

I punch him in the shoulder. “Man up, hockey player and tell me now.” Other customers in the store start glancing at us.

“Yes. There. Are you happy? I’m going to ask her to marry me.” He throws his hands up in the air.

Now it’s my turn to stutter. “Wha…what? When did this come about?”

“I started thinking that a promise ring is nothing more than a small engagement ring. So, then I thought it would save me money if I just got the engagement ring, and that’s what I am doing,” he states matter-of-factly.

I stare at him, and I’m thoroughly confused. “You’re getting engaged to save money?”

“No,” he snaps back at me. “I’m getting married because I love her.”

The pride creeps onto my face. My brother is getting married. I can’t believe it. “Then let’s pick out a ring.”

Trevor takes a deep breath and stares back down at the case.

After looking at several different rings, cuts, and prices, Trevor settles on the one. It’s a two carat, princess cut ring. The salesman wraps it in a pretty pink box with a small bow on top. I can’t help the tears filling my eyes as I watch my twin brother pay for the one piece of jewelry that will change his life.

He’s getting engaged. He’s really is going to do it. I start to think about Levi. How would he look in a tux? Where would we get married? I smile thinking that we would get married in the middle of the Penguins rink. That would be perfect for us both. Wonder if Victor would wear a Flyers shirt in protest? The smile on my face grows bigger thinking of it.

“Hey, why are you smiling?” Trevor asks, bringing me out of my daydream.

“Nothing. How about some lunch?”

Trevor nods, and we head out. We decide to go to a restaurant that’s nearby. It’s nice hanging out with my brother. Ever since the night at the bar, we have been talking every night, just like we use to. I don’t want to grow apart from Trevor, or even Marley, especially since she’s my soon to be sister-in-law.

As we sit down and order our drinks, I ask Trevor how he plans to propose to her. Knowing my brother, he will do it during sex or something gross like that.

“I’m not real sure yet. Maybe a romantic dinner or something.” He shrugs likes it not a big deal. “So, have Levi and you talked about your future?”

I giggle. “Hardly. Our future hasn’t been the hottest of topics right now.”

“Why? I thought things were better,” he questions.

“Oh no, we are great. We just never discuss those types of plans.” I smile at him.

“Hell, I’m surprised you two aren’t married already.” He shakes his head.

Before I can say anything, the waiter brings the drinks and takes our order. I think about Trevor’s statement. I honestly don’t think Levi is ready for that step in our relationship. I mean, he just got back to Pennsylvania, and I have to go to law school. Besides, I’m sure Levi has never thought about marriage. I mean, yes, we did move in together and that was a big step for us, but marriage is on a whole other level.

Trevor and I enjoy a great lunch. We laugh, joke, and talk about school and hockey. It’s something we haven’t done in a long time, and it makes me feel whole again. Even though Levi isn’t here, I know I have Trevor.

He drops me off at my apartment, and I now have to hurry to finish packing. Mom, Marley, and I are going to be heading to Pittsburgh in a few hours to look at apartments. I think about how nervous it’s going to be moving to a city where I know no one, and Trevor nor Marley are going with me. They both have to finish their semesters here. At least, I’ll only be a few hours away from Levi, but then again, he’ll be on the road a lot.

I pack my bags and make sure that I’m not forgetting anything. I’ve loaded the addresses of the apartments onto my phone already. As I place the few bags by the door, I look around the apartment. I’ve been in this place since I was eighteen. It was the first time I was living by myself, and even though I was scared my first night alone, I grew up here.

A loud knocking makes me jump. As I open the door, I’m taken back a bit.