Off the Ice (The Penalty Kill Trilogy) (Volume 2) by Lindsay Paige, Mary Smith

make new memories, right?”
    I squeal again and this time, I hug Levi. We continue our night of eating and then cleaning up, and it's filled with laughter. It’s an amazing feeling to be part of a family. Especially with Levi and Victor.
    “ So, Levi, have the Penguins said anymore about you getting drafted this year?” Victor asks as we settle down in the living room.
    “ No, I’m afraid my chances are slim. There are a lot of great players out there right now.” He shrugs like it isn’t a big deal, but I know he is just trying to play it off.
    “ Maybe they’ll invite you to camp again this year?” I try to sound helpful.
    “ Invitations will be going out the next couple of weeks, so maybe.” He shrugs.
    I excuse myself to the ladies’ room to give Levi some time with his dad. Coming out of the bathroom, I am able to hear their conversation. I know that it’s wrong to listen, but I can’t help it.
    “Levi, stop worrying about my expenses. I have plenty of money.”
    “ Pops, those tickets are a lot of money and you got three of them. Plus, all of your hospital bills.”
    “ Levi James, enough.” I hear Victor raise his voice. I heard him do that one other time, during Christmas. “Now, I have health insurance, so most of my hospital bills are taken care of. I have plenty of money to survive on. Now, if you want to go to the camp, then you will go. But don’t make it about money.”
    “ The camp last year cost you a lot of money.”
    “ Son, if it means you being happy and securing your future, I will sell my soul for you. Do you understand?”
    “ Pops,-”
    “ Do you understand?”
    “ Yes, sir.”
    “ Don’t act like I’m not able to take care of you Levi. You still have money in your trust. I still can take care of you, no matter what. This conversation is over, Levi. If Pittsburgh invites you to that camp, you’re going.”
    I hold my breath. I don’t want Levi to put his life on hold because of money issues. Maybe there is something I could do. But I know Levi too well. He would rather starve than ask for money. I come around the corner and act like I didn’t hear anything.
    “Boys, I’m tired and I know that we have stuff planned this weekend. So I’m heading to bed.” I hug Victor first.
    “ Are you going to sleep with your meet and greet pass around your neck?” Victor laughs at me.
    “ Oh no, I’m going to lay it on Levi’s pillow and make him sleep on the couch.”
    “ Hey!” Levi yells and Victor laughs harder.
    I don’t answer Levi as I head up the stairs. I race to change before Levi comes in. I packed some lingerie just for Levi’s eyes. It’s a light green baby doll nightie with matching underwear. I change, grab a book, and sit on his corner chair pretending to read. I turn off all the lights but the one on the nightstand and wait for him. Levi and I haven’t had sex in over a week, and I know he wants it as much as I do.
    I also know that he won’t be downstairs much longer. I’m right when I hear him coming up the stairs, not more than two minutes later. I look down at my book, but the words mean nothing to me as I’m just thinking about Levi. I hear the door open.
    “ Smarty, are you reading? In that outfit?” Levi shuts the door behind him.
    “ What?” I ask pretending to be nonchalant.
    Levi walks over and pulls me up, grabbing the book and tossing it back in the chair. “You suck at lying, Smarty.” He kisses me and our tongues dance around each other. “Are you going to be able to be quiet?” Levi whispers into my ear.
    “Do you want me to be?” I tease back.
    “ No, but you have to be. I think you might be a little bit embarrassed if my dad hears you.” He runs his hands down my side and grasps my hips, pulling me closer to him.
    “ Want to see if I can be?” I swipe my lips against his.
    “ Fuck, yeah.” He picks me up, and I wrap my legs around him. Our lips crash into each other as he carries me to the bed. He lays me down and