Game Winner (The Penalty Kill Trilogy #3)

by Lindsay Paige

  “Put your legs around my waist,” I order, kissing between her breasts. She quickly obeys, crying out when I thrust into her. All my anger from the past few days unleashes. I drive into her as fast and as hard as I can, leaning down to press my lips to hers. Presley’s tongue glides over my teeth, love when she does that, and then I suck her lower lip into my mouth. I graze my teeth over it gently before biting.

  “Oh God, Levi,” Presley breathes while I kiss and nibble down her jaw. Her legs squeeze around me, so I slowly pull out until just the tip is inside her and then thrust into her. I do it two more times before going back to the swift, hard drives. Swirling my tongue over her neck, I release her wrists and her hands instantly grab onto my back. She clenches around me, her nails dragging downwards as she screams out with her release. I don’t stop yet. Presley’s legs are locked around my waist, I find my favorite spot on her shoulder and bite down hard as I come.

  Collapsing atop her, both of us breathing hard, Presley says, “You need to be angry more often. I think that was some of our best sex.”

  I softly kiss the bright red spot on her shoulder.

  “Do you feel better now?” She asks.

  “My head has stopped hurting.” I leave her to go throw away the condom and clean up. When I come back, that pout is on her face and she’s under the covers. “What is it?” I question, crawling in next to her.

  “You’re head still hurts? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  As I lay on my back, I throw an arm over my eyes. “Can we please talk about something else?”

  She tugs my arm away, so I look at her. “No. We can not. Levi,” she finishes quietly, my name a plea upon her lips.

  “Do you want to piss me off, Smarty?” I snap for no good reason other than I’m tired of talking already.

  A small smile plays on her lips, completely ignoring the tone I just used on her. “Do we get to have sex again if I do?”

  I can’t help my laugh. “No.” The beginning of another fucking headache creeps, so I reach for the meds the doctor said I could take. Pres watches as I dry-swallow it.

  “Hurts again?”

  “Just a little.”

  Smarty instructs me to lay so she can massage my temple. After a minute or so, she asks, “Feel any better?” I hum in response. “Is anything else bothering you?”

  Where does she want me to start? Everything that could possibly bother me is doing so.

  Tentatively, she adds, “Maybe you should come home, Levi. I could take care of you like I did last Christmas.”

  “Are you saying that because you want to help me or because then I’ll have no choice but to talk to you?”

  “Will you stop?” she snaps. “Get rid of the attitude, Levi. I’m trying to help you work through this. It would be less stressful and you could rest.”

  Sighing, I sit up, moving away to put my feet on the floor and my back faces her. My jaw clenches. I’m in no mood for her to fight me on what I’m about to say. “Go home, Presley.”

  Turns out, she’s as fed up as I am. “Why are you being so hardheaded? You were injured in your first game and that sucks, but you aren’t going to get better by moping around and pissing off everyone around you. Get your shit together, Levi.”

  The best retort I can come up with is, “I’m not moping.”

  “Well, at least you’re acknowledging that you are pissing everyone off.” When I don’t respond, she rests her chin on my shoulder and keeps going, her tone much nicer this time. “Did you ever stop to acknowledge that Victor and I had to watch you crash into the boards? We had to hold our breath, waiting for you to get up, and then wait to find out how you were doing. You weren’t the only one who went through it. It was terrifying for us too.”

  Point for Smarty. That never crossed my mind and that acknowledgment chips at some of my anger. I turn my head to look at her. “I’m sorry, Presley. Do you still love me?”

  “Eh.” She shrugs her shoulders, trying not to smile. “I guess.”

  “Are you really going to take care of me?”

  This time she does smile because she knows she’s essentially won. “I’m not going to wait on you hand and foot, but I promise to make you feel better. I have one condition though.”

  “What’s that?” I ask.

  “You have to tell me what’s going on, and you absolutely have to stop being a jerk.” She smiles.

  “Deal.”

  Presley pulls me back down, so she can cuddle with me. Once she’s comfortable, she says, “Okay, I’m ready. Spill your guts.”

  So I tell her that I’m out until I lose the headaches and sleeping problems and then I’ll be able to ease back into the game. The more I talk, the deeper she frowns. She was clueless about most of what I’m telling her because I didn’t say anything before. But then I make her get dressed before the guys get back. A few days away from here could do me good, I think.

  “I’ll follow you, okay?” I ask as we stand outside between our cars.

  “Okay.”

  “I love you.” I lean down and give her a kiss.

  “I love you too.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Presley

  I wake up and carefully get out of bed. I’m going to class, but I want Levi to rest. I felt him toss and turn all night. Each time I would rub his back or his temples, it seemed to help with the headaches.

  After class, I bring a pizza home for Levi. I know that he needs to leave in a couple of days to be reevaluated, but I’m going to get him better. He feels a little better that the coaches from the AHL called him and are looking for a speedy return. However, he stills feels like he blew his only chance in the NHL. I know that’s not true, but he isn’t listening to that.

  “Levi, I’m home,” I call out coming into the apartment. “I brought pizza.”

  “Hell yeah,” I turn to see Trevor rubbing his hands together, grabbing the box from my hand.

  “Trevor, what the hell are you doing here?” I’m taken aback that he’s here.

  “We are playing Xbox,” Levi says, sitting the controller down and following us to the kitchen table.

  “Making sure we keep up his eye-hand coordination.” Trevor grabs a slice as I hand them both a bottle of water.

  “When did an Xbox get here?” I don’t own any gaming consoles, and I know Levi’s isn’t here.

  “I brought mine over,” Trevor informs me. “We’re going to go work out here in a little bit.”

  I look over at Levi. “Are you supposed to be doing that?”

  He shrugs. “I’m going too.”

  I shake my head at him. He’s so damn stubborn. He’s going to rush this and be in worse condition than before. Trevor asks me about class, and I go in detail about how hard this semester is going to be for me. However, I’m glad that it’s halfway over. I just need to keep up with extra work that I’m doing, so I don’t fall behind.

  Between Levi and Trevor, they devour the pizzas. I’m lucky I get a piece. When we all are done, I gather the plates and begin to clean up.

  “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.

  “Marley, didn’t know you were here?” Trevor comes over to her and gives her a quick kiss.

  “Trev, will you do me a favor?” He nods. “Stand by Presley.” Marley walks around him and goes straight for Levi. He knows she is about to lay into him. Instead, she pushes him with all her might. He actually stumbles into the wall.

  “Whoa, what the hell am I missing?” Trevor looks at me and back to Marley.

  “Let me explain something to you, Mr. Carr. That is my best friend.” She ignores Trevor and points at me. “If you can’t get your head out of your ass and go back to the Levi we love and care about, then you will have to answer to me. Plus, you scare her again, I will release Trevor and your dad on you. Do I make myself clear?” Her voice is low and a serious tone.

  “What the fuck is going on?” Trevor’s chest is heaving. I touch his arm and he looks at me.

  “It’s fine.” I’m trying to calm Trevor down. When I glance at Levi, he looks like he is about to cry.

  Levi puts his hands up, like he’s surrendering. “I was upset. I didn’t mean to scare her. I swear on my life, I would never hurt her.” Levi’s voice is nothing but sadness.

  “Good.” Marley steps away from him. “Trevor, we need to go because they need to talk.” Trevor looks between all three of us. He’s confused and pissed.

  “I’m fine, Trev. I promise.” I kiss his cheek, and he nods.

  Marley takes his hand and leads him to the door. Levi and I stand in the living room, not saying anything. We just look at each other. I can see the hurt plastered all over his face.

  “Smarty, I’m sorry. I would never hurt you.” He makes no move towards me. He stays against the wall. It’s then I see the first tear fall from his eyes. Levi is crying. I rush over to him and wrap my arms around him.

  “Just talk to me, Levi. Let me be there for you. I can’t help you heal if I don’t know what’s going on,” I say. My neck is wet from his tears, and he holds me tightly in place. We stand there for the longest time until Levi and I finally stop crying.

  I lead him over to the couch. “Talk to me please,” I plead with him.

  Levi rubs his face and pushes his hands through his hair. “What if they don’t want me back?”

  “Levi, you’re not the first hockey player to have a concussion.” I rub my hand up and down his back, trying to keep him calm.

  “I was on the ice with the greatest players in the world, and I crashed into the boards.”

  “What? Do you think that those great players haven’t crashed into the boards before?”

  He doesn’t say anything. He looks ahead.

  “Levi, I asked you not to be a jerk when you came here. You scared me today. I want you to get well. I want you back on the ice, but you have to think of your well-being first and hockey second.”

  “I’m sorry, Smarty. I want back on that ice. I want that feeling I got when I was in that locker room. That night, I sat there and couldn’t believe where I was there. I thought about Dad and you in the audience, watching me. I wanted my mom there. I just wanted to be the best on the ice.” He gets up, kneels down, and faces me. “I’ve been saying this a lot, but forgive me, again.”

  I run my hands through his hair. “Levi, I’m here for the long haul. With or without hockey, I’m going to be by your side. Please remember that we are a team, but you have to let me in, Levi. You can’t shut me out all the time.”

  “I give you my solemn vow, Presley. I love you and I want you to help me through this.” He kisses me. As he kisses me, I feel his warmth and love pulsing through me.

  Chapter Twelve

  Levi

  With my forehead resting against hers, I close my eyes and whisper, “I’m so sorry I scared you, Presley. I don’t know what happened.” I feel so terrible about it. Presley was upset, but we were just talking, and then I exploded on her. The rage rose quickly and took over before I even realized it. I’m ready to get some rest because my head is killing me, but I wanted to tell her that first.

  “It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean it.” Her voice is soft, so I open my eyes to look at her. “I know that hockey is your number one in life, and I’ll do whatever it takes to help you get back out there, all right?”

  “Thank you.” I kiss her gently, about to ask her if she’s ready for bed, but she speaks first.

  “Levi,” she starts tentatively. “You were already upset when you came back from the gym. Why?”

  Without really meaning to, I sigh. “Let’s go to bed, Smarty.” I stand, but Presley grabs my hand and stands as well, frowning.

  “This is what I’m talking about. You aren’t talking to me. Didn’t we-”

  “I’m not-” My voice rises with a sudden sweep of anger, and I immediately stop to take a deep breath. Calmly, I continue, “I’m not avoiding this, Presley. I’m tired and I’ve got a headache. Please come to bed with me, and I’ll tell you in the morning. Promise.”

  She stares at me for a moment before nodding. Silently, we change and get ready for bed. Smarty is last to get into bed. Before she even has the chance, I tug her to me. I want to feel her against me tonight and find comfort from her touch. Maybe tonight I
will get some decent sleep.

  “I love you,” Presley whispers with a kiss over my heart.

  “I love you too. So much.” I hold her tightly with my words.

  It doesn’t take long for us to fall asleep, but it also doesn’t take long before I wake right back up. I’m laying on my back, staring at the ceiling, and Presley is cuddled up to me with her head on my chest. After two hours have passed, I’m still awake and feeling antsy like I need to move or pace. Slowly, I get out of bed without waking Smarty. The urge to pace back and forth is almost too hard to resist.

  Instead, I take a seat on the couch with my elbows on my knees and rest my head in my hands. With all my concentration, I inhale long, slow, deep breaths hoping that will relax me. Every muscle in my body feels like it’s rung tight with so much pressure that it might burst from the force. I just need to relax, so I can go back to bed and get some sleep.

  Time passes, but I don’t know how much. I’m still sitting in the exact same position, still taking deep breaths, and still feeling so tense.

  “Levi?” My head turns at the sound of Presley’s voice. She’s standing at the threshold to her room. “What are you doing? Is everything okay?” She asks as she walks towards me.

  I lean back and Smarty sits sideways in my lap, placing her arm around my shoulders. “Yeah, everything’s fine. Just can’t sleep, so I was trying to relax.”

  “You looked like you were doing a terrible job.” She smiles slightly.

  I chuckle. “I was. What are you doing up?” I run my hand up and down her back. She usually sleeps soundly all through the night.

  She shrugs. “You weren’t in bed. Are you just not tired?”

  “No, I am somewhat. I’m feeling antsy,” I answer honestly.

  “Want me to rub your back?”

  When I nod, she gets up and leads me back to the bedroom. Presley rubs and kneads the muscles in my back, and it starts to soothe me. Quietly, I voice one of my fears.

  “How long do you think this will last? The trouble sleeping, the anger, the headaches. What if it never goes away?”