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

the New York Marathon. “Trevor was. Trevor has been the only person, besides Marley, that cares about me, my whole life.” I look up, and Trevor has tears in his eyes. “And now, I have Levi. Because you two have never been there for me.” The tears begin to stream down my face.
    “ Sweetheart-” Mom has tears in her eyes.
    “ No, it’s too late. I’m not even sure if you know that I exist. Of course, unless I need money.” I shoot a dirty look at Dad.
    “ Presley, it’s not like that, at all.”
    “ I don’t care. I don’t care anymore. Because I bet you can’t even remember the last time you said you love me.” For the first time in my life, my father drops his head. I can’t handle it anymore. I push past them both and rush to bedroom. I collapse on my bed, sobbing. All the years of pain and feeling alone pour out of me.
     
     

Chapter Eight
    Levi
     
    Watching the faces of Presley’s parents while all of that just happened, I’m pissed. Now, they are standing around looking a bit dumbfounded.
    In a low, stony voice, I say to her parents, “All she wants is to be acknowledged for who she is as an individual and to be accepted. She’s a wonderful, independent woman, but you don’t know that because you won’t give her the chance to show you. You both should be ashamed for making her feel like what she feels is not right or not how it really is. We all know damn well how you treat Presley. She’s your child , just like Trevor.
    “ There is so much more I want to say, but I’ll stop for now. If you don’t mind, could you get the hell out of her apartment?” I look at everyone in the room. “I’ll walk you all to the door.” When no one goes to move, I do. Reaching the door leading out of her apartment, I open it and wait with a glare to her parents. Trevor and Marley are the first to move and thank God, her parents do too. I would hate to have to force them to leave.
    I lock the door behind them and go straight to the bedroom, the sound of muffled sobs easily heard. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I rub her back. Honestly, I’m not sure what exactly would make her feel better so I’m running on instinct. Smarty turns, sits up, and clings to me. My heart shreds at what this is doing to her. Scooting back to lean against the headboard, I keep Presley in my arms and hold her. I don’t say anything, because I doubt anything would make her feel better right now.
    The thing she appears to need is just me holding her. That, I can easily do for her. I’d hold her forever if it would make her happy. My shirt is quickly soaked with her tears, and I wait until they come to a stop. When they do, I take her hands and remove them from me. I walk over to her dresser to find her a change of clothes. It takes me a few minutes of rummaging, but I find her a pair of pajamas and take them back to her.
    “ Go get ready for bed, Smarty,” I say gently.
    Presley sniffles as she gets out of bed and goes to the bathroom. By the time she returns, I’ve stripped down, and I’m waiting in bed for her. Smarty crawls in, attaches herself to me, and holds me tightly as if I might leave.
    “I’m sorry,” she whispers.
    “ That your parents suck?” I sigh. “There’s nothing for you to be sorry about, Presley. Just forget about it for now and go to sleep, okay?”
    Smarty nods against my chest. Pressing a kiss to the top of her head, I say, “I love you.”
    She squeezes me. “I love you more.”
     
    ~ ~ ~
     
    “Walk of shame again, Carr?” Harper says when I walk into our apartment.
    “ Yeah, isn’t that like the second or third time this week?” Nichols adds.
    “ Not in the mood,” I quip. Thank goodness I don’t have a morning class today, but Presley did, so I left when she did. As always with Presley, I slept exceptionally well. I grab a change of clothes and head to the gym to work out my frustrations. I’m 97% sure that I’m permanently annoyed this morning because Zack showed up before I