Game Winner (Penalty Kill 3)

“Well, we were sitting on the couch, kissing, and you know…stuff.” She giggles, and I groan. “Anyway, he stopped everything he was doing.” She winks at me, and I actually feel my stomach roll. “And he tells me how bad my makeup looks. He went on and on about how my lipstick was all over my face. Finally, I got pissed off enough that I went into the bathroom and realized my stuff was all over the counter. Now, I know I didn’t leave it that way, but inside my case was one tube of lip gloss, and the ring was on it.”

“Aw, that’s sort of sweet.” I laugh.

“I thought it was.” Marley shrugs

“Did you scream when you figured it out?” I ask.

“Of course, and then, well, we celebrated.” She winks again at me.

I turn my back to her and try to scratch the image out of my mind of Trevor and sex. Of course, Marley bursts into laughter.

When I finish, I grab my jacket and purse, and we head out the door. I hate the fact that I haven’t been to any of Trevor’s games. Maybe he was right that night outside the bar. I’ve been neglecting them all. I will be leaving in a few weeks, and I don’t want to leave on a sad note.

I forgot how many people go to JWU games. The rink is packed. Marley and I are able to find a couple of decent seats, and we sit there waiting for the game to begin. I love watching Trevor play, almost as much as Levi.

The team hits the ice, and Trevor looks strong. He’s going to be amazing in North Carolina. I can feel it. I know that I will see him one day playing against Levi in the NHL. After warm ups, Marley and I purchase nachos before the game starts. I observe Trevor’s hard face as he glides to center ice. He wins the first faceoff to begin the game. I watch my twin brother slam into other players and steal the puck more than I can count. He looks to be right on his game.

It’s still scoreless going into the first intermission when I turn to Marley and ask the one question that keeps bugging me. “Have you thought about the wedding yet?”

She shrugs. “Well, I’

m not going to lie, but I think that every girl has an idea.”

“And what’s yours?” I question.

“Running away to Vegas, so I don’t have to wear some gown that makes me look like a white muffin,” she tells me in a serious tone.

I laugh at her, because I can see her doing that.

“What about you?” She bumps my shoulder.

“Huh?” I look at her confused.

“What about your dream wedding?” She looks at me, waiting for me to answer.

“Never thought about it.” I brush the comment away like it’s nothing.

“You’re such a bad liar.”

I focus back out on the ice as the second period is about to start. I try not to think about a dream wedding, especially with Levi. I can’t keeping doing this to myself. I’m happy with the way things are, and I’m going to keep it like that. I keep my attention focus on the game and how well Trevor is playing. The second period is just as intense as the first, and during intermission, I’m able to avoid all wedding questions.

Finally, in the third period, JWU scores, and the crowd explodes with cheers. I yell so loud, my throat hurts a little bit. Even though Trevor isn’t the one that scored, I’m still happy that I came. When the game ends, we head out to the players’ entrance.

The snow is starting to fall, and it’s colder than when we had arrived. I stand there, listening to Marley talk to some other people standing around, and it hits me that I won’t be here next semester. Trevor will have a senior night without me, and I will miss his final game. Maybe growing up isn’t as much fun as I thought.

It is then that Trevor comes out. My twin. My very first best friend. My protector. I have a bond with him that can’t be explained or duplicated. Of course, he hugs Marley first, and I can’t be anymore happier for them. They are perfect for each other. Trevor hugs me and asks me to go to dinner with them. I decline, telling them that I really do have a lot of homework. I hug him back, and Marley, tell them congratulations, and go home.

Walking into my quiet apartment is a little surreal for me. Soon, this will all be packed up and on it’s way to Pennsylvania. I will be a college graduate, heading to law school. I’m an adult. My career is about to begin.

On top of all that, I have Levi.

Chapter Eighteen

Levi

It’s a long drive from my place to Presley’s, and it’s giving me entirely too much time to think. I’m driving up to spend some alone time with her and then we’ll all get together at her parents’ house for Thanksgiving tomorrow. Fucking Trevor has popped the question to Marley, she said yes, and Smarty sounded so excited for them. I’m happy for them too. But now everywhere I go, I see not just couples, but married couples.

And it’s making me think. Making me want the joy McCarthy and Marley are obviously experiencing now simply from being in engaged. Making me want to give that to Presley. Between them and Presley, they have brought serious thoughts about the future to the forefront of my mind. I don’t want to ask her because they are engaged. Proposing should be timed for what’s right for us and if we are ready to take that next step. Even if we don’t actually get married anytime soon.