“Guys against girls,” Marley states. “And no slamming into boards.” Her voice is stern and she stares at Trevor. He holds his hands up to show that he won’t.
“Marley, you play too?”
“I’m not as good as these two, but I can hold my own.” Marley shrugs.
“Alright, let’s play.” Trevor goes over and gets in position for the face off.
I laugh and head to the center for the face. For an hour, we play, laugh, and talk smack to each other. I love every minute of it. I love how relaxed we are, and I can’t help but laugh at Levi’s face when I score against him. He really tried to block me, but I changed my backhand to a forehand and the puck went through his five-hole. I cheered like I won the Stanley Cup.
“Told ya,” Trevor teases Levi.
~
A few weeks later I am sitting in my living room, and my hands are shaking. I can’t believe that I see all of Levi’s boxes in my living room. There isn’t a lot, because Levi never had a ton of stuff. I can’t believe this happening. Levi and I are living together. He wanted to move in when his lease was up at his apartment. He took his furniture to his dad’s, but kept the main things.
“Smarty, you have more shoes than the mall.” He flops next to me on the couch. “I’m surprised my clothes even fit into your closet.” He grabs my shaking hand. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “We’re living together.”
“Um, yeah. Smarty, are you going to have like a mental breakdown because of this. Remember that we talked about this?”
“You’re right. I’m just overthinking. I mean, we both start our internships on Monday and the draft is right around the corner. I’m a little on edge.” I curl up next to him.
“Smarty, I’m being drafted, remember? You shouldn’t be nervous. Plus, you are going to be so great at that law firm they are going to give you the office on the top floor.” He kisses the top of my head. “How about we order in some takeout and then I can finish these boxes?”
“Sounds like a plan, Mr. Carr.”
He gets up and opens the box closest to him while I call for a pizza. It doesn’t take long for Levi to unpack. I look around and see little pieces of him all around the apartment. He even cleans the apartment as he is putting up his stuff. I just roll my eyes every time he sprays or wipes something down. He’s a total neat freak.
“Our first dinner together.” Levi sits at the table, and I hand him a beer. I go to sit down, but he grabs me and pulls me into his lap. “Do you know how much I love your shoulders?” He kisses my shoulder.
“I’m actually hungry, Levi,” I say as I feel his hand creep up my thigh.
“To be continued, then?”
“To be continued.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Levi
“Smarty!” I yell as I pick up a wet towel from the bathroom floor. I toss it in the easily accessible hamper as she appears in the doorway.
“What? I’ve got to get going or I’m going to be late.”
“You’re killing me here,” I say, picking up the clothes she left on the floor and holding them for her to see what I’m talking about.
Presley rolls her eyes. “Levi, I’m already cutting it close. I was going to pick them up later.” She steps into the bathroom, kisses me quickly, and says, “I love you. See ya later, okay?”
“Yeah, yeah. I love you too, my little, messy girl.”
She smiles and then disappears to head into the city for her internship. All I have left to do is brush my teeth and then I’ll be on my way too. Things have been going well lately. Presley really seems to enjoy her internship, coming home every evening to tell me all about it. I love being here every night with her and waking up next to her, but I never realized how much of a neat freak I am. Yeah, I like my things clean and organized, but this is the third day in a row that there’s been towels and clothes on the floor. Maybe I should seek help or something. Nah, it doesn’t bother me that much. Just something to get used to. I wipe my mouth with a towel, finally ready to leave. The first thing I notice when I step out of the bathroom is that the bed is unmade. I can’t help but chuckle at what I could classify as one of Smarty’s bad habits. Oh well, I don’t have time. There’s a long day ahead of me with my own internship. Grabbing my keys and wallet, I leave the messy bed behind.
Even though I ran by the grocery store, I get home before Smarty and text her to let her know that I’ve got supper tonight. My mother’s favorite chili is on the menu because I’m in the mood for it. After I change into gym shorts and a different shirt, I begin supper. Presley comes home just after I’ve finished cooking.
“Levi,” she groans, tossing her things on the empty corner of one of the kitchen counters. “I’m starving.” Presley walks into the kitchen and gives me a short kiss. “You’re the best,” she says as she takes two cans of soda out of the fridge and then sits down beside me at the table.
“How was your day?” I ask. Presley groans again, and I smirk.