Breakaway (Penalty Kill 1)

I thought I was so close, but I guess not. I take my hand from hers and run it over my face. “We have an understanding with one another.” Am I really going to have to explain myself to her? Based on her gaze, that’s a yes. “It doesn’t really matter the how’s and why’s of it, because it’s been put on hold indefinitely since I started hanging out with you.”

Chapter Eight

Presley

“Well, you don’t have to explain anything to me anyway, because we won’t be hanging out anymore.” I cross my arms. I really wasn’t sure if he is lying or not, but I know what I’d seen. He kissed her and she was holding his hand. Just like a boyfriend and a girlfriend. Plus, meeting the parents because he was doing a favor for her is the dumbest thing I’ve heard.

“Smarty, I’m telling you-”

“The truth. Right.” I hold my hand up to stop him from talking. “I heard you the first time. By the way, your five minutes are up.” I stand and head towards the door. “You know what,” I whip around to see that he is still sitting at the table. “I forgot to thank you.”

“Thank me?” His face scrunches up in confusion.

“Yes, because I thought you were going to be a decent guy. I didn’t think you were going to be the stereotypical hockey jock, but thank you for letting me know that you are just like every other hockey player. Now leave.” I open the door and place my hands on my hip. “Now, Levi.”

Levi crosses his large, tan arms. “Nope.”

“Excuse me?”

“I. Am. Not. Leaving.” He says each word in a precise, firm tone.

I slam my door shut. “Fine, I’ll just call my brother and his friends and they will make you leave.” I reach for my phone on the end table.

“Wow, have to call thetwin to handle your battles? I figured a student of pre-law would be mature enough to handle a reasonable, adult conversation.”

“Whoa, are you calling me immature?”

“That seems to be the conclusion I’m coming to.”

My blood is boiling. How dare he call me immature when he is running around town with some damn Puck Bunny. “Fuck you, Levi! You’re nothing, but a dumb puck-head anyway. You’re just pissed because my brother is a better hockey player than you and you will never be anything other than his backup. On top of that, you have to resort to having a bottle blonde with a pea size brain and D-size cups because you can’t find a real girlfriend.” I watch Levi’s face grow with more anger with every word I said. I don’t care, I’m mad and he hurt me.

I watch Levi slowly get up and walk over to me. He towers over me with hurt and fury in his eyes. “Let me explain something to you, Smarty. I’m far from dumb or a puck-head. Furthermore, your clouded version of how your brother is god-like on the ice is bullshit. I will never, ever be his backup. As far as being with other girls, I will take D-cups over your high-class, immature attitude any day. So, it’s my turn to say ‘thank you’, because I’m not going to waste my time on you.” Levi turns his back to me and walks out.

My adrenaline is pulsing through my veins as I continue to stare at my door. I almost think he is going to walk back in and continue arguing with me. He never does. I don’t know where the tears come from. They start to fall and I’m trying to calm myself. Why am I crying over Levi Carr anyway? He isn’t anything to me, really. I know I like him, but not anymore.

I grab my phone and call the one person who will back me up. After two rings, Marley says hello.

“There is a carton of ice cream in my freezer, a cheesy love story in my DVD player, and I need someone to share it with.”

“Are you crying, Presley?” Marley’s voice is full of concern.

“Possibly.” I sniff.

“I’m on my way.”

~ ~ ~

When I open the door for Marley, she gasps as she looks at me. “Who’s the jerk who made you cry? I’ll kill him.” She hugs me tight.

“Levi Carr.” We sit on the couch and I spill the details of the evening. I tell her everything, how hurt I was walking into the restaurant, and seeing him sitting there with the Bunny. I tell her that dumb story he came up with and how I shouted at him.

“Wow, you’ve had a night.” Marley goes and gets the ice cream carton and two spoons. We sit on my couch, digging into the ice cream.

“What should I do?”

“Well, do you like him because you think he is a good guy? Or, do you just want to defy your brother?” Marley smacks her lips around the spoon.

“I don’t want to defy Trevor. Besides you, he is all I have in my life. And, I do like Levi, but not if I don’t trust him.”