Off the Ice (Penalty Kill 2)

“Like what?” I ask innocently.

“Like I did something wrong!” With a deep breath, she runs a hand through her hair. “He came over, said some stupid stuff, and left. He was a jerk, but that’s it.”

“What did he say? Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask calmly, taking off my shoes and hoodie as she does the same.

“I didn’t tell you because I forgot really. It was the night I went over to your house and found out about the email. I wasn’t thinking about it.” We crawl into bed, and her lips jut forward just a bit before she adds, “Plus, you may have been right.”

Narrowing my eyes at her, I ask, “About what? What did he say?”

“Just something about how you didn’t want him around, that I followed you around like a puppy, and that he thought I was trying to be my own person. So either he’s mad that I haven’t hung out with him much since he’s been back or he’s mad because it’s not just friends for him. Either way, it doesn’t matter. I kicked him out and went to your place.”

“Okay,” I mutter after a few seconds pass.

“Okay? That’s it?”

I pull Presley to me and she rests her head on my chest, her hair seeming to be everywhere again. “That’s it, Smarty. I told you that I thought you were capable of handling yourself, and you are. You did. But next time, especially if he’s drunk, call me. Or Trevor since he’s closer.”

“Okay,” she agrees.

“Okay? That’s it?” I tease and she giggles. “I love when you laugh like that.”

She lifts her head to look at me and says, “What else do you love about me?”

“Everything.”

Presley rolls her eyes playfully and snuggles up to me again. “I love everything about you too.”

My favorite redhead drifts to sleep minutes later. Her question bounces around my mind along with the fact that Valentine’s Day is coming up. I’ve been trying to figure out what exactly I want to do, and I think I may have just figured it out.

~

This is our first Valentine’s Day together, and I want her to remember it for the rest of her life. Luckily, Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this

year. It’s taken me all week to get everything set up and ready. If she loves it, of course. I’m actually nervous that it will overwhelm her, or that she’ll completely hate it. I’ve never really put this much thought into something like this for someone else before. What if I fuck it up?

Holding in my sigh, I slip out of Presley’s bed. She wanted me to spend the night last night, and I didn’t turn her down. Plus, I needed to be here this morning. Even if I won’t be here when she wakes up. I really wish I could be, to see her expression, but if I want to make this the best, I have to get going to finish everything else. I’ve never been more thankful that she’s such a heavy sleeper.

After I dress, I walk around to where her phone is sitting on her nightstand, and I set an alarm with a message that breakfast is waiting for her in the kitchen. By the time it goes off, I’ll be gone, but her breakfast will be hot and waiting for her. If she goes ahead and gets up, that is. A huge part of my plan relies on Presley trusting me completely and doing everything I ask without question. Please don’t let her be stubborn today.

In the kitchen, I get to work fixing her favorite breakfast food. Pancakes. I cook some bacon too and realize my time is running out. Placing the stack of syrupy pancakes with bacon on the side on the table, I pour some milk into a glass and set it on the table as well. I grab the square envelope that dons the most crappy looking smiley face and heart I’ve ever seen, drawn by yours truly, and place it beside her plate. Also on the front is “Open Me First” in my scribble.

Quietly, I grab my things and leave. When Presley wakes up by her alarm, she’ll go into the kitchen and find that I made her breakfast. She’ll probably be wondering where the hell I’m at and why I’m not spending Valentine’s morning with her, or most of the day, in fact. I’m sure it will be worth it, though.

I hope.

Anyway, she’ll open the card, just like the three I gave her last year and she’ll read:

Morning Smarty,

Sorry that I’m not here with you right now. I’m hoping that this breakfast I made for you will make up for it. You’re probably wondering what is going on or why I left you this card. It’s simple, really. I’ve left a series of cards in various places for you to find. Each card will have something different written on it and you must read each and every one.

Each. And. Every. One. Smarty.

First, enjoy your breakfast. Because I’m running out of room to write, I’m going to tell you where the next card is, but don’t go get it until after you’ve ate your breakfast. I’m trusting you, Smarty.

Your next card can be found in your closet.

Forever yours,