Breakaway

by Lindsay Paige

  “Carr,” Nichols grits. He’s struggling with his bench press, and I was lost in lala land.

  “Sorry,” I guide the bar up and back into its place. Nichols sits up and glares at me.

  “Where’s your head at anyway? We’ve got big games this week. I hope you’re focusing on that and not on that girl.”

  “Don’t worry about me, Andrew. This is probably my best season. Can you say the same?” I cross my arms over my chest and wait for his smartass response.

  “Shut the hell up, Levi. I am playing against JWU, right?”

  “As far as I know.” I’m pretty sure that Coach is going to see how he does in the first game this week then decide if he’ll play against JWU Friday. Coach really wants to win and if Andrew isn’t at his best, Jere will play instead. Nichols has been inconsistent lately and Coach doesn’t want to risk it. Jere has been doing very well, and we both know that he could take over without any problems.

  ~ ~ ~

  I text Presley to let her know I’m leaving practice, and I’ll be there shortly. I throw my bag into my passenger seat and climb into my car. The ride over doesn’t take me long, and I’m standing before her door, knocking repeatedly.

  “What?” she screams opening the door.

  Okay. Was not looking for that response.

  “Sorry, Levi. It’s been a stressful day.”

  “Everything okay?” I ask, mostly because she hasn’t invited me in yet.

  “Yeah, but I won’t be able to make dinner tonight.” She glances over her shoulder and then lowers her voice. “Marley and Jere broke up, and I told her I would hang out with her tonight. I totally forgot about us. I’m sorry.”

  “Who’s at the door?” I hear Marley yell. “Better not be that jerk!”

  “No worries. I’ll talk to you later, okay?” When she nods, I lean forward and kiss her forehead. “Love ya, Smarty.”

  “Love you, too.”

  Presley disappears into her apartment, and I can hear her telling Marley it wasn’t the jerk. Well, there goes my plans for tonight. I grab some food and head back to my apartment. Harper is at the table, doing schoolwork and I assume Nichols is in his room. Taking a seat at the table, Harper glances at me.

  “How are things with McCarthy’s sister?”

  “Presley, Gavin. Her name is Presley.”

  He grins. “I know that. Making sure you did. Well?”

  “Things are great,” I smile at the thought.

  “Wait a second. You’re smiling because things are great withher, aren’t you? What happened to seeing her only to piss off McCarthy?”

  “That’s how it started, yeah. But it’s different now. I like her. A lot.” Gavin’s one of my best friends, but I’m not ready to tell him everything just yet.

  “You like that little -” Nichols starts from behind me, coming into the kitchen.

  “Watch it, Andrew,” I interrupt him sternly. He grabs a beer from the fridge and sits down with us.

  “Whatever. I just can’t believe you would put up with her, much less like her. Especially if your intent was messin’ with McCarthy.”

  “Yeah, well, things change. McCarthy doesn’t even matter anymore. I’m going to continue seeing her regardless.”

  “She know why you’re with her?” he questions.

  I shake my head and then add, “That’s not why anymore.”

  “But it was.”

  “What’s your point, Nichols?” I snap. Where is he going with this? “Presley isn’t ever going to find out, so it doesn’t matter.”

  Andrew shrugs, stands, and leaves. I look to Gavin who shrugs as well and then says, “Hey, I’m happy for you, man.”

  “Thanks.” I throw my trash away and go sit on the couch to watch TV.

  ~ ~ ~

  Presley has been with Marley every day so far this week. I talk to her a couple of times during the day and all it sounds like they are doing is hanging out as normal, but all the time. Apparently, McCarthy is allowed over since he is her brother, but I’m not because I’m a boyfriend and friends with Jere. Therefore, an enemy as well. Presley said she would go get Chinese takeout for them, but she’s going to meet me while she’s out. That’s why I’m sitting in a restaurant all by my lonesome self.

  “Hey,” a low whisper sounds by my ear and seconds later there’s a kiss on my cheek.

  “Hey, Smarty. Don’t,” I say, grabbing her wrist and pulling her into my lap before she can sit in her own chair.

  “Miss me that much?” she smiles.

  Instead of answering, I run my hand up her back, through her hair, and grasp her neck to bring her closer to me. A groan almost slips when I kiss her, that demanding tongue of hers sweeping through my mouth with a graceful force. Presley leans back all too soon.

  “You definitely missed me,” she smirks. “All of me.” As if to drive her point home, she sways her hips lightly in my lap.

  “Of course, I missed you.” I run my hand down her back. “You are sitting right here for dinner, okay? If you’re going to torture me, I’m at least going to be able to touch you. No way I’m going to watch you be this beautiful from across a table.”

  Presley smiles and our waitress comes over to take our order.

  “Oh, hey, Levi. It’s been a while. How have you been?” Kay, the waitress, asks, ignoring Presley completely. Uh, oh. Kay knows me because she was my “favorite Bunny” before Sunny took over that title. She probably thinks that Presley is the favorite now.

  “Just fine, Kay. I hope things are well with you. I would chat, but my girlfriend and I are on a bit of a time limit tonight. I know what I want, do you?” I finish turning my attention to Presley.

  “Yeah, of course.”

  Smarty orders first and then I do, a frown planted on Kay’s face the entire time. If I had known she worked here or had caught sight of her before now, we would have eaten elsewhere. She wasn’t thrilled when I stopped seeing her. I told her upfront how things would be between us and she still expected me to eventually change.

  “An old Bunny?”

  “Yeah,” is all I say.

  “Random or like Sunny?”

  I really don’t want to get into how much I slept around, but Presley apparently does. “Like Sunny.”

  She shakes her head in obvious disapproval. For a second, I wonder if she’ll tell me what she’s thinking, but who am I kidding? Presley speaks her mind. “Sometimes, I can’t believe why someone would want to drop everything just because you called and decided that that night, you wanted them in particular. Why would someone want to be in a relationship like that?”

  My voice is low as I answer. “No strings attached, Smarty. That’s all some can handle or that’s all they want during certain points in their life.”

  “If you say so.”

  “How’s Marley?” I ask, changing the subject effectively.

  “Oh, she’s fine. Nothing a little alcohol, ice cream, and a few days couldn’t fix. Marley’s not devastated, but we have a routine of sorts any time any sort of break up happens. Big or small.”

  Our food comes, and Presley orders the takeout so it’ll be ready by the time we finish.

  “You’re coming tomorrow, right?”

  “Of course. You’re playing my brother. Why wouldn’t I be there?”

  “True. Nichols is pretty pissed right now. Jere’s taking his spot. Coach and I told him this afternoon.”

  “Well, when you play like that,” she trails. “Question. You usually call the guys by their last names, but you never call Jere by his. How come?”

  I shrug. “Didn’t realize that.”

  We finish our meal in silence, and I pay for everything afterwards. Standing outside, I press Presley against me. “When we win, are you coming to the party afterwards?”

  “Cocky much?”

  “Confident. There’s a difference.”

  She rolls her eyes. “If you win, then yes. I’ll go.”

  Chuckling, I lean down to kiss her. “I love you,” I
say, brushing my lips across hers.

  “You better,” she smirks. “I love you too.” Presley gives me one quick kiss and then she’s gone.

  ~ ~ ~

  I’m at the rink a couple of hours early, sitting on the bench, thinking and relaxing. It’s unbelievable how calming it is to simply be inside this building. I can’t wait for tonight’s game. We’ve been doing well since we first played McCarthy this season, and I’m confident in my team. My stomach grumbles and I start heading out. I’m in the hallway, not twenty feet from the door, when no other than McCarthy himself walks in. He’s practically charging me, he’s walking so fast.

  “You son of a bitch!” Trevor rears his fist back and goes to hit me, but I see it coming and move out of the way.

  “What the hell is your problem?” I ask, pushing him back.

  “You listen to me, Carr. After tonight’s game, you’re going to find Presley and you’re breaking up with her. Do you understand, you fucking prick?!” He shoves me.

  “Like hell I am,” I yell back, restraining myself from pushing him back.

  “Oh, yes you are because there isn’t a chance in hell my sister is going to ever find out how you used her.”

  “What are you talking about?” I ask, a dreadful feeling sinking into my stomach.

  “You know damn well what I’m talking about! How you found out I had a sister because you ran into her when your team left from fucking with our equipment. How when she showed up at the party, you talked her up and got her to go out with you. All so you could get back at me? What kind of heartless bastard are you? I knew you were bad news, but you surpassed what I expected. Within one hour of the buzzer sounding at the end of the third, you better have broken up with Presley or so help me, Levi. I’ll hunt you down and enjoy killing you.”

  He turns on his heels and stalks out.

  Fuck.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Presley

  I’m so nervous about this evening. Levi and Trevor are playing each other and it’s going to be intense. Marley is going with me, but she said that she would cheer for anyone who checked Jere into the boards. I’m trying to figure out what to wear to the game. I can’t wear JWU because Levi might get mad. I can’t wear Levi’s RU shirt because Trevor would be mad. I decide to wear my Pittsburgh Penguins long sleeve shirt. That way I won’t have to worry about hurting anyone’s feelings.

  “Come on, let’s see Jere get killed,” Marley says.

  “Marley,” I sing out. “I know you don’t want Jere seriously hurt.”

  Marley huffs. “Well, maybe slightly hurt.” I laugh at her as we head out.

  ~ ~ ~

  The stadium is packed. The rival game brings out everyone from both schools. I don’t get to talk to Levi or Trevor before the game because I know they are determined to focus on the game. Marley and I finally find our seats just in time for the guys to warm-up. Levi has a very determined look on his face as he skates around the ice. Usually, he looks for me in the stands, but this time he doesn’t. I bet it is because I am far up in the stands. I look down to the other side of the ice and I see Trevor with the same look of determination on his face. Levi and him are exchanging some look that can be construed as lethal. Now, I’m really worried.

  The teams finish warming up and head to their benches. Both coaches are talking to their teams, and I can feel the tension in the air as Trevor and Levi just stare each other down. They skate to center ice. The crowd is cheering so loud, but I’m not. My nerves are getting the best of me as I can see the fury roll off of them.

  “I think this is going to bad,” Marley says in my ear. I look at her and just nod.

  The puck drops and Levi shoves Trevor to the ground and gains the puck. Levi takes off down the ice and Trevor gets up and is hot on his trail. Trevor slams Levi into the boards. The crowd goes insane and I’m sure I’ve stopped breathing. Levi and Trevor shove at each other the whole time they are on the ice. I can’t believe what I am watching as the lines changes. Levi and Trevor are still staring each other down. All I can do is hope no ones gets seriously hurt.

  At the end of the first period, Levi and Trevor are still alive. Although, I’m not sure how long they will be. If Levi isn’t slamming Trevor into the boards, then Trevor is slamming Levi. They tug at each other’s jerseys and Trevor even tried to trip Levi. I can’t believe this is only the end of the first period.

  The start of the second period is no different than the first. Levi and Trevor are all over each other. I’m becoming more anxious that something bad will happen. Then it happens. Trevor and Levi are battling for the puck. Levi gains the puck and scores, right in front of Trevor. He is so mad that he breaks his hockey stick. Levi just smirks as he skates by. I do clap for Levi’s goal, but I know my twin and there is something else going on besides hockey. Luckily, there are no more goals scored in the second period.

  During the intermission, Marley gets me something to drink because she said I look pale. I just know the third period is going to be the worst of them all. I gingerly take a drink as I, somewhat, listen to Marley talking. The horn sounds and the final period is underway. My shaking hands return as I watch Levi and Trevor have words on the ice before the puck drops. I assume they are trash talking each other. The third period is no different than the other two periods. Hit after hit and battle after battle, as the game continues. There are a few minutes left in the period when I watch Levi steal the puck away from Trevor. Levi turns with the puck and makes a breakaway from everyone and skates down towards the other end of the ice. He slightly toe drags and slaps the puck over the shoulder of the goalie. He scores and Roxboro is leading the game. Levi’s wide, cocky grin at Trevor can be seen by everyone. The energy rolling off of him feels almost like the puck was me as he stole it from Trevor and made a breakaway for the win.

  “Are you going to go see Trevor?” Marley asks as we head out and down to the visitor's locker room.

  “Oh no. I know my twin. He is going to find a bar and a Bunny and drown his sorrows. I, on the other hand, am going to find Levi and enjoy a great evening with him.” I smile at the thought of a great night of sex and Levi.

  “Ugh, young love sucks!” Marley bellows. I laugh at her. I know she will rebound just fine from Jere and she will move on to another.

  “You’re going to the after party with me, right?” I’m hoping she will start up a conversation with some guy and forget all the bitterness she has right now.

  “Might as well,” she sighs.

  We both are freezing as we make it to the entrance. Levi is already changed and waiting there.

  “Hey, good looking.” I give him a hug.

  “Hey, Smarty. Hey, Marley. Let’s get going.” Levi practically drags me to his SUV and Marley tries to keep up.

  “In a rush, Carr,” I giggle as we all climb in.

  “Just cold,” he says. I know that he’s lying, but I let it go.

  On the ride over, Levi holds my hand the whole time. Marley is still chatting about nothing really in the back of the SUV as I get lost in the world of Staind’s Tangled Up in You that’s coming through the speakers. Levi squeezes my hand as we both listen to the song. I know something is seriously wrong just by the way he is acting. I can tell he is lost in his thoughts and is very distant. I want to ask him what is wrong, but I think I’ll wait until he tells me.

  We make it to the after party in record time and the party is well underway when we arrive. Everyone is congratulating Levi and the other teammates that are there. The music is loud and the alcohol is flowing. Marley and I grab a few beers and I hand one to Levi. He downs the beer faster than I’ve ever seen. I feel my phone buzzing and when I see it’s Trevor calling, I’m going to answer it.

  “Hey, no phones tonight. Just you and me, please.” Levi has hurt in his eyes, and I’m not sure what is going on, but I know it has to be important. I nod in agreement and turn my phone off. Levi leads me into a dark corner and holds tight to my hips and his forehead lays on mine. My
hands are running through his hair on his nape of his neck. Levi is almost shaking, and I can’t take it anymore.

  I get on my tiptoes and ask, “Levi, tell me what’s wrong? Please.”

  “Will you do me a favor?” I nod. “No matter what happens, please know I love you and I always will.”

  “I know how much you love me and you better know how much I love you.” I kiss him. He kisses me back, hard.

  “I know, Smarty, but just promise me you’ll remember that.” I pull back and look at him. Even in the dark corner, I can see the seriousness on Levi’s face. I’ve only seen that look on him when he is on the ice.

  “I promise, Levi.” I’m getting ready to make him tell me what is wrong, when he stops me.

  “Nichols just walked in and I need to go kill him. I will find you in a little bit.” He kisses me. When he walks away, it almost feels like that is our last kiss. I don’t know what is going on, but I need to find out. I go back over to the bar and grab another beer. I figure I should find Marley. I’m sure that she has found some guy, by now.

  I walk around the room when I finally see her with a bunch of girls. I roll my eyes at the wave of Puck Bunnies standing there. Marley is far from a Puck Bunny and I’m curious on why she is there talking to them. Then again, Marley’s so sweet and she knows everyone.

  “Hey, Mar.” I walk up next to her.

  “Hey, what’s going on with Andrew and Levi?”

  I shrug. “I really don’t know. Levi just went off to talk to him. Why? What do you know?” Marley pulls my sleeve and we head out to the back porch.

  “Well, I’m not sure. Those girls I was talking to said Levi and him got into a massive fight before the game, but no one knows why.” I know Levi and Andrew are having issues, but I figure it has something to do with the way that Andrew was playing.

  “I know Andrew is playing like shit and back talking Levi, maybe that is it?”

  “Well, maybe.” Marley shrugs. “Let’s go find Levi for you and maybe he can introduce me to someone who’ll become my rebound guy.” We laugh as we walk back towards the door. That is when we hear some arguing. Marley tugs my sleeve and guides me to the noise.