I want to hit him when he smirks at Jere. This is a team and he doesn’t need to boast about getting his spot back when he shouldn’t have lost it in the first place. Nichols should be happy, sure, but he doesn’t need to try and put down his teammate. I catch up to Jere in the hallway on the way out. He’s one of the last to leave again.
“Hey, Jere.”
“What’s up, Captain?” He grins.
“Don’t let Nichols get to you, alright? You’ve been playing really well and Coach has noticed. Keep doing what you’re doing and it’ll pay off.”
“He doesn’t bother me, but thanks. Are you heading to the gym?”
“Wasn’t planning on it, but I probably should.”
“Good. You can spot me,” he laughs.
We agree to meet there in twenty minutes. That’ll give me enough time to grab a quick bite to eat. I call my old man and check on him. He’s still coughing and when I tell him he should go to the doctor, he laughs. I’ll have to go see him soon, I guess. After that, I call Presley like I said I would.
When she answers, she’s laughing as she says, “Will you quit?” Presley’s laughter calms down and then she speaks to me. “Hey, Levi.”
“Really? You’re going to talk to him while I’m here?” I hear McCarthy in the background and smile.
“Hey, Smarty. Tell McCarthy I said hello to him too.”
“I am not. Be thankful he hasn’t stolen my phone from me yet. How was your day?”
“Fine. Yours?”
“It went downhill after this morning,” she sighs.
I laugh. “I’m sorry about that. I’m on my way to the gym, but I figured I’d give you a call.”
“Want to come over afterwards? I can fix you a late supper?” she asks hopefully.
“I just ate. Thanks, though.”
“Oh, okay. I’ll let you go workout then.” She sounds disappointed.
“Hey, Smarty?” I wasn’t planning on seeing her at all today, but I guess I can.
“Yeah, Levi?”
“I’ll bring dessert if you miss me that badly,” I say with a smile.
“Ha, don’t kid yourself, Levi. But if you insist...”
I chuckle and say, “Oh no. If you want me to come over, you’re going to have to insist on it.” She’s silent for a second and I know it’s probably because McCarthy is there.
“Hey, Trev. Will you go check my mail? I forgot to check it earlier.” I hear her ask him. “Thanks.” A couple of seconds pass and I can’t help but grin as I wait. “Levi Whatever-Your-Middle-Name-Is Carr, I could kick your ass.”
“You started this, Presley,” I interrupt quickly.
“Iinsist that you come over, not for dessert, but so I can kick your ass.”
I snicker. “That’s all I wanted to hear. See ya, Smarty.”
“Bye, Levi.”
I’m at the gym as I have been for the latter half of our conversation. Inside, I find Jere easily and we work out. He apologizes for handing out my address, and I tell him that it’s no big deal. Well, it is depending on how badly things end with Presley when I do leave her. I don’t need McCarthy showing up at my house, but I could handle him if he did, especially if Gavin and Andrew are there. Not going to worry about that too much, though. Instead, I focus on the task at hand, which is working out.
A shower and an hour and a half later, I’m heading to Presley’s after a little pit stop. The nights seem to be getting colder and colder. I rap twice on her door and wait. My fingers wrapped around the plastic cup holding a strawberry milkshake are frozen by the time Presley opens the door. She’s wearing sweatpants and hoodie again, but this time it has the Penguins logo on them.