Game Winner (Penalty Kill 3)

After I’ve hung up with him and lay back down on the couch, Presley walks through the door. She drops her things in the kitchen before coming into the living room. Smarty straddles my lap, running her hands up and down my chest.

“Well, hello to you too,” I grin.

“I can’t help it. You look so hot laying here and my day sucked.” She leans down, kissing me hard. I grab her hips, about to pull her shirt up when she pulls away from me. “How do you feel today?”

“Good. I’ve been right here all day and I’ve been watching cartoons.”

As if noticing for the first time that the TV is on, Presley laughs when she sees the pink starfish falling down. “I’m happy you’ve had a good day. You know, you still haven’t told me why you were upset yesterday.” She leans down to lay her chest against mine, with her hands diving into my hair and her forehead on mine.

“I wasn’t ready,” is all I say. When Trevor and I started yesterday, I got dizzy quickly, and I knew right then to not push it. So I sat around while he worked out. “Pops called,” I add.

“Oh yeah?” She smiles.

“He wants us to go eat dinner at his house. Are you coming with me?”

“Of course. I miss Victor. Homework can wait until later.”

I grip her hips tightly. “Your day sucked?” She nods. “Want God Levi to make it better?”

Presley laughs, rolls her eyes, and slaps my shoulder. “You’re such a romantic, Levi. I’m happy to see that you really are feeling better though. Obviously.” Her hands lightly trail over my chest. “Am I going to get God Levi or Angry God Levi? I mean, it was hot and really good, but…” She trails softly.

I have no words, only sorrow that I’ve scared her. “How about just Levi?” Leaning forward, I kiss her gently and soon, I’m taking her clothes off.

~

Dinner with my father went great as usual. I spent the next two days doing absolutely nothing while Presley was in class. Once she was home, I still didn’t do anything. Today marks the fourth day without any headaches, being dizzy, or any other post concussion symptom. I’m hoping this means I can start playing soon. I’m not used to not playing, practicing, or doing something that relates to hockey. I’ve done nothing lately, and I miss it.

Part of me feels bad that Presley was right. Hockey is my number one. She should be in that spot because I love her. But hockey has it and the fact that she knows it, knew it before I really did, bothers me a little. What can I say though? It is my life. It’s not just a game, a sport, or something I do for fun. I breathe hockey because I need it.

That’s why I’m hoping for a good report from my evaluations today. When it’s all said and done, I have another week off. They don’t want to rush putting me back in, so if I can have another week symptom free, I’ll start back on the ice.

“We’re taking this slow, Levi.”

That’s what they told me exactly. Basically, I’m not having symptoms, which is good, but I’m not doing much of anything either. The true test will be when I start working out and start practicing again. The question now is what am I going to do for the next week? Staying with Presley will probably be the best as far as resting and staying stress free. I give her a call.

“Am I the only person in the world who doesn’t want to take another week off to relax?” I ask when she answers.

She laughs. “Probably. Is that what they want you to do?”

“Yeah. Hopefully by doing this, when I start working out and practicing again, my symptoms won’t come back. This means you have me for another week. Excited?”

“Eh. I guess,” she giggles.

“I love your enthusiasm,” I deadpan and she laughs again. “I’m on my way back once I stop by the house to grab a few things.”

“Okay. I probably won’t be there when you get back. Mom called and she wants to meet for dinner, but I’ll see you after?”

“Sounds like a plan. Have fun.”

Chapter Thirteen

Presley

One more week of Levi in my apartment? Sure, I can handle that. I have a smile on my face as I walk to my academic advisor building. I told Levi that I was going to have dinner with my mother because I don’t know why my advisor is calling me into her office.

“Ms. Jones?” I lightly knock on her open door.

She smiles at me and motions me to come in. “Presley, how are you?”