Off the Ice (Penalty Kill 2)

“Presley, they said it was a potential. Not definite.”

I nod. It makes me realize that is why Levi is worried. He has other teams looking at him, and it isn’t set in stone that he will go to Pittsburgh.

“Oh my God.” My chest is getting tight. With the way my luck runs, Levi will end up in California or Canada.

“Presley, don’t worry. He is going to Pittsburgh. I know it.” Victor rubs my hand, and I nod.

I look over and see Trevor and Levi coming up the stairs. Levi has a smile on his face and I’m taking that as a good sign. They take their seats next to us, and the Commissioner of the NHL is getting ready to take the mic. Levi pecks my cheek and squeezes my hand. I’m about to ask him what’s going on, but the Commissioner announces the draft is open and the first team is on the clock.

I’m shaking. Literally, shaking. I don’t know if I can handle it if Levi goes far away. Yep, I’m the clingy girlfriend. I’m so that girl.

“I’m being drafted, not you. Why are you shaking?” He whispers in my ear.

“Trevor might go to Chicago and you could end up in Canada,” I whisper back. Tears are in my eyes.

Levi smirks. “Pittsburgh said they will take me in the second round.”

“Levi.” I point to the jumbotron. “You could go number twenty five.”

“Nah, I’m not going then. I know they have someone else in mind for then. I’ll go second round, for sure.”

“To Pittsburgh, right?”

“Yep, don’t panic, Smarty.” He kisses my temple and then starts talking to his dad.

I sit there, as composed as I can be, and listen to picks number one through three get chosen. Then it happens. The only thing that the NHL Draft always does. It’s the surprise trade.

The Commissioner walks up to the microphone. “Pittsburgh has traded a player and their second round pick for the fourth pick in the draft.”

I whip my head to Levi. Pittsburgh gave away their second round pick. That was Levi’s spot. Levi looks deflated. Victor just whispers something at him and Levi nods.

Trevor turns around. “Hey, what the hell is going on?”

“I don’t know. I guess I will go in the third round.” Levi shrugs. “No big deal.”

Trevor just looks at him and turns around. I can’t believe this happening. The third round? I can’t believe that he would go that far in the draft. The Commissioner walks up to the mic. My heart stops beating. I silently pray that they say Levi’s name and for the first time, Levi looks nervous.

“Pittsburgh has made their decision. You may make your selection.”

Just then the Pittsburgh executives at the table stand up with a jersey, and walk to the microphone. “Pittsburgh Penguins would like to welcome to our organization from the Roxboro Lions, Levi Carr.”

“Holy shit,” Levi and I say at the same time. He went number four. Number four! Levi stands calmly, and pecks my lips. Then he hugs his dad. As he goes down to the next row and hugs my family, even Marley.

He heads down to the podium next. The tears are falling down my face. He did it. He made it and there is no way I could be any prouder. Victor is beaming, and I see the tears in his eyes. I step over to him and hug him.

“I knew she wouldn’t let him go to another team.” I pull back and know that he is talking about his wife. “But it would have been nice to see him in orange.”

I laugh at him.

We watch Levi take pictures and then he’s being whisked off to the media room. I won’t see him for a while. Between the media and the pictures, he will be busy.

“We have another trade to announce. The Carolina Hurricanes have traded their third round pick and two players for the fifth pick.”

“Oh shit,” I hear Trevor and Marley say.

“Trevor, could that be you?” I lean down and ask my twin.

“It could be. I guess. I don’t know.” He shrugs like it isn’t a big deal, but I know him bette