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

part of the family. Instead she’s stuck with these jackasses who make her feel like she means nothing to them.
    Presley tells me that she doesn’t want to go in anywhere, so I run through the drive thru and we head back to her place. I don’t say anything, but I watch as she picks at her food. After lifting her fork and then putting it back down twice, I can’t help myself.
    “ What happened, Smarty?” I ask softly, setting my fork down and reaching out to take her hand.
    Presley sighs. “Same old shit, Levi. I’m just a girl who they don’t need to worry about because apparently my boyfriend will keep me ‘in line’ and take care of me because I obviously can’t take care of myself. Are you fucking kidding me?” Her chair scrapes across the floor as she stands, goes to the fridge, and pulls out a beer. Did she just say fuck? Before I can say thing, she’s talking and cussing again. “I’m getting so fucking tired of this, Levi. So tired . What do I have to do to prove myself? What will make them see that I’m just as good as Trevor, because I am, right?” Her eyes focus on me, and I realize that she wants an answer.
    “ C’mere, Smarty.” She sits sideways in my lap and chugs back some beer. I take it from her and set it on the table with a thump. “Look at me,” I whisper, hooking a finger under her chin to make her, just in case she decides not to do it on her own. Presley’s eyes are sad and angry. “Presley, first of all, you know that I know you’re independent and completely capable of taking care of yourself, okay?” I run a hand through her red hair. “You shouldn’t have to prove yourself at all and you are just as good as your brother. If you ask me, I would tell you in a heartbeat that you’re better.
    “ Smarty, maybe you just need to go to them both and tell them how you feel. Or stop communicating at all. Whatever is best for you .”
    “ Maybe,” she shrugs before resting her head on my shoulder.
    “ Hey, Pres?”
    “ Yeah?”
    “ When did you get such a potty mouth?”
    Her laugh is genuine, and I’m thrilled that I can make her laugh when she feels like she does. “I’m just so fed up,” she whispers.
    “I know, Smarty. I know.”
    “ I think I’m going to go to bed. Thanks for supper.” Presley stands and goes to walk to her room.
    “ Want me to stay?” I call after her. She’s worrying me a little and even if she tells me to go, I probably won’t. “I’m asking to be polite,” I add.
    Faintly, I hear a giggle. “C’mon then.”
     
     

Chapter Seven
    Presley
     
    I wake up to an empty bed. I’m a little disappointed, but I know that Levi has to go clear across town to get ready and go to class. I lay in bed staring at my ceiling. Last night, I really needed to hear those words from Levi. He keeps me sane. Just another reason why I love him.
    My phone is buzzing to alert me of a text message and I see that it’s from Trevor:
     
    Please remember that I love you very much.
     
    What the hell does that mean? My display changes and it says: Mom. Oh, hell. Mom must have talked to Trevor first.
    “ Hello, Mom.”
    “ Presley Marie, I do believe your brother told you last night to call me. Am I correct?”
    It’s way too early for this. “Yeah, he did.”
    “Then why didn’t you call me last night?”
    “ Because I was fucking my boyfriend instead.”
    “ PRESLEY MARIE McCARTHY!” My mother screams so loud, my ears ring.
    Okay, maybe that wasn’t the brightest thing to say. I sit up, trying to compose myself. “I’m sorry Mom. That was out of line and it wasn’t the truth, I promise. I was just having a stressful day and I went to bed early.”
    “I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately, but you need to straighten up.”
    “ Yes, ma’am,” I huff.
    “ Now, I called for a purpose. I spoke to your brother already and we’re having a family dinner tonight.” I roll my eyes. A family dinner means awkward silence for an hour. “It’ll