Game Winner (Penalty Kill 3)

“Alright, Levi, I’ll meet you at the gym. Love ya, Twin,” Trevor yells as he leaves.

I lean against the counter and Levi comes closer to me. We stare at each other for a moment.

“I can see the steam rolling off of you, Smarty. What’s wrong?”

I cross my arms and give him the meanest glare that I can muster. “I think you’re pushing yourself. The doctors told you to rest. But instead of that, you’re playing video games and going to work out.”

“Smarty, it’s not that big of a deal.”

“Yes it is,” I throw my hands in the air. “Your well being is all I care about. Not hockey.”

“ENOUGH!” Levi yells so loud that I actually jump. “I don’t want to hear anymore. I’m sick and tired of everyone telling me that hockey isn’t a big deal. It’s my life. It’s my career.”

Levi has never yelled at me like that. Not to the point to scare me. Levi’s face is tight, and his eyes are fueled wit

h anger. My heart is racing as he stares me down. I don’t know what to say or do.

Finally, he walks away from me and slams the front door. I release the breath that I didn’t realize I was holding. Tears flood my eyes, and I don’t know what I did. I grab my phone off the kitchen table and call Marley.

“What’s up, Pres?”

“I need my friend,” I hurry the words out.

“I’m on my way.” God, I love her. She is always there for me.

In no time, Marley’s walking through my door. I don’t know what came over me, but I rush to her, hugging her tightly. I quickly start crying.

“Holy shit, Presley.” She hugs me back just as hard. “You’re shaking. What happened? Where’s Levi?”

I’m sobbing so hard, I can’t say anything. She smooths my hair and calms me down enough to talk.

“Something’s wrong with Levi,” I tell her as we sit on the couch.

“Okay, before I jump to conclusions, explain to me what you mean.” Marley holds my hand.

I begin to tell her everything that has happened since the night that Levi got hurt. I told her about his mood swings and the rough sex. Even though I enjoyed it, it did scare me a little. I know that Levi would never hurt me, but today in the kitchen, I actually doubted myself.

“Are you kidding me, Pres? I don’t think Levi could ever hurt you. I truly believe that in my heart. But I think that there is something else wrong. I mean, he got hurt in his first game in the NHL. Everyone was watching.”

“It’s just a game, Mar. At the end of the day, it’s a game,” I remind her.

“To you and me, it’s a game. To Levi, and even Trevor, it’s their life. They might love us, but hockey is their real true love. I know that you know this already.”

I nod. I do. “But his career isn’t over. He just thinks that it is.”

“Pres, in his eyes, he embarrassed himself in front of the Penguins, the fans, and the NHL. His pride is hurt. Men have this thing about their ego’s running their lives.”

I put my head in my hands.

“I’m not saying that Levi should have done what he did, but you need to give him some space too,” she continues.

I don’t look up at her. I hold my position, thinking about her words. She pulls me up and takes me in the bathroom. She grabs a washcloth from the hall closet and runs it under water. Marley squeezes out the excess water and begins to wipe my face.

“Why do you always do this for me?” I ask her.

“Because I’m your best friend and sometimes, a little attention isn’t a bad thing.”

When she’s done, we go into the kitchen. She goes to the fridge, grabbing me a bottle of water. We hear the keys jingle in the door. We both stand and go to the living room. I watch as Levi and Trevor come into the apartment. Levi looks sad.