Game Winner (Penalty Kill 3)

“Presley?”

“Yes.”

“Even if I never marry Trevor, you’ll always be my sister.” Marley’s words hang in the air, and the tears fall for us both.

“You sound like a whiny girl,” I tease her, sniffling.

“It’s because of you damn McCarthy’s.” We both laugh as she hugs me. “I love you, Pres.”

“I love you.”

With that, she leaves, and I’m alone in my apartment. As I look at the clock, I know Levi should be home, but when I call it goes to voicemail. I’m sure that he’s working out again. I decide the best thing for me is sleep.

~

I move a couple of boxes around, so I will have a path to walk around the house. I swear I didn’t realize that I had this much stuff. A knock at my door makes me drop the box I’m holding, and I answer it.

“Trevor, what are you doing here? Don’t you have a game?” My brother walks into the apartment the best that he can.

“I do, but later.” He has a strange grin on his face.

“What’s up?” I ask cautiously.

His grin deepens. “I received a small gift for you today.”

“Huh?” I watch Trevor pull out a small box from his pocket. “What is that?”

“Well, Levi sent it.” He hands to me, and I remove the red ribbon from it.

I slowly open it and there’s a puck in it. I carefully take it out, and the white tape around it reads: Goal #1 Hat Trick Levi Carr.

I gasp. It’s a puck from Levi’s hat trick from his comeback game. My heart fills with pride that he would share this honor with me. It makes me love him more.

“I think there is something else written on it.” Trevor points.

I flip it over and in silver it says: To my #1 fan Forever yours, Levi

My eyes fill with tears because I’ll always be his fan, and I wish he was here now with me.

“Oh, he sent this too.” Trevor hands me a white envelope. My heart races a little bit as I open it. Inside is Levi’s handwriting:

Hey, Smarty. I want to send you on another adventure. Don’t worry. There are only three stops this time. I won’t keep you long. Go have lunch with your parents at their house. I’ll see you soon.

“Did you know about this?” I narrow my eyes a

t Trevor.

“Maybe,” he sings out.

“Is Levi here?” I didn’t think I was going to see him until Christmas.

“I’m not telling you anything, except,” he comes closer to me, “I love you and I’m proud of you.” My brother kisses my forehead and walks out.

I stand there a second, my heart thumping loudly. Why is he sending me on this hunt? Maybe because I finished finals? I have to know. I put the puck in my purse, grab my phone and keys, and race to the car. It takes me a little longer to get to my parent’s house because the snow is falling, but I make it and go inside.

“Presley, we’re in the kitchen,” my mom yells, and I follow her voice.

There sits my parents at the table with an album in front of them. “Hello.” I’m unsure of what to expect.