Breakaway (Penalty Kill 1)

Marley flips her blonde hair over her shoulder and raises an eyebrow at me. I always have the hardest time lying to her. We’ve been friends since high school, and she knows me better than anyone.

I take another deep breath and push my hands through my red hair. “Okay, maybe a little. I just know how hard he made Trevor’s life in high school, and I think he has something up his sleeve. Why else would he be flirting with me?”

“Well, you’re smart and a great decision maker. Use your best judgment with him. My best judgment is telling me that I like Jere and I’m hungry.” She is trying not to crack a smile, and I have to laugh at her.

“Fine. Let’s go buy these boys dinner.”

She laughs again as we walk out of the bathroom. Jere and Levi are at a table in the corner. Levi’s smile is breathtaking, but I need to focus and make sure I am on my game. I’m not going to let this guy get to me. No matter how much he flirts.

“Presley, I was beginning to worry you climbed out of the bathroom window.” Levi’s bright blue eyes seem to look right through me.

“There was no window or I would have.” I give him my best fake smile. Marley sits down next to Jere, while I am stuck next to Levi. I’m happy that we are on the other side of town. I don’t need Trevor seeing me with Levi.

“Now, what am I going to order? I am very hungry from all that ice time.” I watch Levi look over the menu. “And it’s free

tonight so that makes it even better.” Across the table, Marley and Jere are whispering to each other, and I’m glad I can’t hear them. I look down at my menu, but nothing looked good.

“What are you getting to eat?” Levi whispers in my ear. His sudden closeness causes me to jump slightly.

“I guess I am going to eat...food.” I smile at him sarcastically. He chuckles lightly and moves his chair closer to me. I can’t help but smell his cologne. It is the perfect combination of freshness and the ocean.

“You’re feisty.” His voice is like silk in my ear and makes my knees weak. “I like that.”

“You can stop your flirting now.”

“Flirting? I don’t think guys ‘flirt’.” He hasn’t lost that cocky grin yet.

“Well, whatever you want to call it, just stop it.”

“You don’t even know me, so where is all the hostility coming from?” He sits back in his chair and crosses his arms.

“I know enough about you,” I point out.

“Would you mind to clarify that comment?” He puts his elbow on the table and rests his head in his hand while his eyes grow with curiosity.

“I know what my brother has told me and that’s all I need to say.” I see the waitress coming over to us. Marley and Jere finally look up from their make-out session to look at the menu. We order our food, and I notice that Levi is leaning towards me.

“I would love to know what McCarthy has said about me,” he whispers in my ear. I can feel his hot breath on my ear, and I know that I need to compose myself. Having Levi this close to me is intoxicating.

“Oh, don’t worry. It was just a little talk between twins,” I sneer at him.

“Have I told you that you are cute when you get angry?” He is really trying to get me riled up.

“Have I told you that I don’t care what you think about me?” I crack back.

He is about to say something when Jere finally joins the conversation. “Presley, Marley told me that you really like hockey. Who is your favorite team?” I could feel my face light up as I bite my lip. I could talk about hockey all day long, especially my favorite team.

“I love the Pittsburgh Penguins. I have since I was very young.” I can’t help but think of the greatest team in the NHL. Growing up in New York it is almost required to like one of the state’s team. Not me, though, it’s Pittsburgh all the way for me. I can remember Trevor giving me grief about liking them when we were growing up.

“You like Pittsburgh?” Levi says next to me. I can tell what is coming next. I hear it all the time.

“Yeah, so what? I know that I’m not from Pittsburgh, but they are the greatest team.” I give him a stern look. He throws his hands up like he is surrendering.

“I wasn’t going to argue with you. Actually, I have to agree.” Now it is my turn to be taken aback.

“Oh, well, okay.” I think Levi is going to say something else, but our food comes instead. I stare at my food and realize that I’m not as hungry as I thought. I figure I need to learn more about Jere since Marley seems to like him. “So, Jere, what is your major?” With that question, Jere goes into a long winded answer about majoring in business. I can see Marley just staring at him, hanging on his every word. It makes my stomach turn. I want Marley to be happy, but I am more focused on school, getting a job and being on my own. I really don’t need a boyfriend right now.

“What about you, Presley?” Jere’s question brings me out of my thoughts.