Off the Ice (Penalty Kill 2)

Exactly. I am not smothering him, Smarty. Shaking my head, I focus on the scrimmage. It’s not really intense, but more like a bunch of guys enjoying playing the game. I still talk trash to McCarthy and it’s still fun, but now it’s because he’s Presley’s brother and not because I want to mess with this head.

“Couldn’t take the time to stuff my gloves with gum or cut my laces? You’re slacking, Carr.”

I grin. “Aw, you do miss me! Presley will be so happy to hear that you want to be my friend. I draw the line at actually hanging out with you, though.”

“Shut the fuck up, Carr.” He glares but then lets out a small chuckle.

The game is easy flowing, but we still get in a decent practice with it. Afterwards, I wrap an arm around Presley’s waist as McCarthy walks up to us. Marley is standing with us as well.

“Please tell me that you’re here to talk to your sister and not to ask me to hang out,” I smirk. He rolls his eyes and Pres asks what we’re talking about. “Your brother wants to be my friend. Isn’t that right, McCarthy? He even misses my little pranks.”

McCarthy ignores me completely and looks to the girls. “Mom wants you to call her, Pres.” Smarty tenses beside me, nodding tersely and I wonder what happened now. “Do you want me to walk you to your car, Mar?”

Marley looks to us and then to McCarthy. “Sure, I, uh,” she pauses for just a second, “I have to talk to you about our sessions anyway.”

They say goodbye and walk away. That was weird, but whatever. I dip my head down and kiss below Presley’s ear. “What happened?” I whisper.

She shrugs. “Let’s go get something to eat.”

Her mood has shifted completely, and I don’t like it at all. Sometimes, I wish I could wring her parents’ necks and make them see the amazing girl in front of them. I wish she could have had parents like mine. Parents that would always be there for her and make her feel like she is a part of the family. Instead she’s stuck with these jackasses who make her feel like she means nothing to them.

Presley tells me that she doesn’t want to go in anywhere, so I run through the drive thru and we head back to her place. I don’t say anything, but I watch as she picks at her food. After lifting her fork and then putting it back down twice, I can’t help myself.

“What happened, Smarty?” I ask softly, setting my fork down and reaching out to take her hand.

Presley sighs. “Same old shit, Levi. I’m just a girl who they don’t need to worry about because apparently my boyfriend will keep me ‘in line’ and take care of me because I obviously can’t take care of myself. Are you fucking kidding me?” Her chair scrapes across the floor as she stands, goes to the fridge, and pulls out a beer. Did she just say fuck? Before I can say thing, she’s talking and cussing again. “I’m getting so fucking tired of this, Levi. So tired. What do I have to do to prove myself? What will make them see that I’m just as good as Trevor, because I am, right?” Her eyes focus on me, and I realize that she wants an answer.

“C’mere, Smarty.” She sits sideways in my lap and chugs back some beer. I take it from her and set it on the table with a thump. “Look at me,” I whisper, hooking a finger under her chin to make her, just in case she decides not to do it on her own. Presley’s eyes are sad and angry. “Presley, first of all, you know that I know you’re independent and completely capable of taking care of yourself, okay?” I run a hand through her red hair. “You shouldn’t have to prove yourself at all and you are just as good as your brother. If you ask me, I would tell you in a heartbeat that you’re better.

“Smarty, maybe you just need to go to them both and tell them how you feel. Or stop communicating at all. Whatever is best for you.”

“Maybe,” she shrugs before resting her head on my shoulder.

“Hey, Pres?”

“Yeah?”

“When did you get such a potty mouth?”

Her laugh is genuine, and I’m thrilled that I can make her laugh when she feels like she does. “I’m just so fed up,” she whispers.

“I know, Smarty. I know.”

“I think I’m going to go to bed. Thanks for supper.” Presley stands and goes to walk to her room.

“Want me to stay?” I call after her. She’s worrying me a little and even if she tells me to go, I probably won’t. “I’m asking to be polite,” I add.

Faintly, I hear a giggle. “C’mon then.”

Chapter Seven

Presley

I wake up to an empty bed. I’m a little disappointed, but I know that Levi has to go clear across town to get ready and go to class. I lay in bed staring at my ceiling. Last night, I really needed to hear those words from Levi. He keeps me sane. Just another reason why I love him.

My phone is buzzing to alert me of a text message and I see that it’s from Trevor:

Please remember that I love you very much.