Read Off the Ice (The Penalty Kill Trilogy) (Volume 2) for Free Online

smile and nod as Levi pulls my chair out.
    “ Presley,” my mother whispers next to me. “Don’t you think that dress is a bit short?”
    I bite my tongue as I look at her. “Everything is covered, Mother.”
    My mother gives me a tight smile, and I know that there is going to be hell to pay for that comment. The waiter comes, and my father orders two bottles of red wine. I’m secretly hoping that one is just for me, so I can make it through this. I should’ve drank before I came. I’ll make a mental note to do that next time.
    Of course, my father begins to talk to Trevor and Levi about their off season activities. I sit quietly. My mother pinches me under the table, and I know that means to sit up straight. She has done that to me since I was a child. I do and keep biting my tongue. Thank the stars that wine comes, and I almost chug my glass down. Levi starts rubbing my hand that is sitting on the table. I look at him and smile. He really does make me sane.
    My mother starts a conversation with Marley. I still sit quietly.
    “ Dad, did you hear that Presley has applied for several internships in the city?” My twin brother, I love him. Just like always, he tries to pull me into the conversation. But, like usual, I’m ignored.
    “ Did you get ahold of that trainer I emailed you about?” Dad asks Trevor. “Levi, you should look into him too.”
    “ I’m good with my routine right now. Thank you, Mr. McCarthy. Besides, trainers are expensive and that’s something I can’t afford right now.”
    “ We should be discussing the money for your internship with Lab Corp.” My father grins at Levi. Lab Corp is a lab that creates new medications, something that Levi is passionate about. My father helped him get a summer internship. It is only for a month though, because Levi will have hockey events the other part of the summer.
    “ I’m very grateful for that. Thank you again.”
    I keep drinking as everyone talks. I can feel the alcohol coursing through my veins. Maybe with one more bottle, I might be able to tolerate tonight. It is now that Marley tries to talk to me, but my mother keeps interrupting her.
    I simply sit there.
    “ Presley, I really wish you would sit up straight. It’s not ladylike,” my mother whispers to me.
    “ I don’t want to.” I don’t know why I said it, I just did. Maybe it’s the alcohol.
    “ I’m not in the mood to argue with you. Sit up.” My mother’s expression is clear that there will be no arguing. I sit up.
    “ Well, kids, we’re here to celebrate tonight,” Dad finally announces.
    “ Oh? And what are we celebrating?” Trevor asks.
    “ Your mother and I are getting back together.”
    I begin to choke on my wine. I mean, really choke. I’m coughing, not able to catch my breath and Levi hands me a glass of water. I look over at Trevor, and his mouth has dropped open.
    “You can’t be serious? You’re divorced,” I’m finally able to talk.
    “ Well, that doesn’t mean we can’t get back together. We’ve spent a lot of time together and we feel this is right.” My mother reaches over and grabs my father’s hands.
    “ Am I in the fucking Twilight Zone?” I spit out the sentence before thinking. It’s Marley’s turn to cough on her wine.
    “ Presley, language.” My father gives me a stern look.
    “ No, in fact, hell no. You two don’t get along at all. I remember the fighting and yelling and the hell Trev and I went through.”
    “ Presley, enough.” My father’s voice raises another octave.
    “ No. This is the dumbest thing that could ever happen.” My voice gets louder, and I see that people are looking at us.
    “ Presley Marie, shut up, right now,” Mom hisses.
    “ I can’t believe this. It’s bad enough that Trevor and I had to be separated, but now it’s all okay to get back together. Is it because there are no kiddies at home to get the house dirty? ” I shoot a look at Mom. She was always complaining about the house being dirty