Breakaway (2 page)

Marley steps up to the table for her turn and giggles when Jere speaks into her ear as he passes her. She walks around once, choosing where she wants to be, and decides to try and get a striped ball into a corner pocket. The ball touches the side causing it to curve slightly and miss the hole. I see an opportunity with a solid, aim, and make the shot. I go again, but miss causing a striped to roll closer to one of the center pockets. I stand next to Presley, who is concentrating on the balls before her.

“Can you play?” I ask, casually. There’s no other way to follow through with my plan, unless I at least make conversation.

“Yep,” she says, never taking her eyes off the table. My eyes, on the other hand, are glued to her frame as she steps forward, leans down as if she’s placing her ass on display for me, and shoots for the striped I was just thinking about. She misses, and the cue ball falls into the pocket she was aiming for instead of the ball she wanted.

“I thought you said you could play,” I half joke.

“Never said I was any good.”

Still the girl has not looked my way. This may be a little harder than I thought. I chug a swig from my beer and see that she doesn’t have anything to drink.

“Would you like one?” I ask, holding up my beer while Jere takes his shot. Finally, those brown eyes look at me with a slightly raised brow as if asking, “What are you up to?”

“Sure.”

I pat Jere’s shoulder as I walk past him into the kitchen to grab her a beer. By the time I return, it’s my turn. I hand her the bottle and try to concentrate instead of watching her take a drink. Somehow, I manage to focus, but not enough to make the shot. When Presley finds her shooting spot and leans down on the other side of the table, I get a good view of her breasts. Oh god, she’s really hot. This is going to be fun. I can’t wait to get her in bed.

“Um, need some help?” I ask with a smirk to take my mind off the things I want to do to her. She glances up at me a small smile playing on her lips.

“Sure,” she repeats.

I sit my beer down and walk around the table. When I come up behind her, the pool cue jabs me in the stomach as she goes ahead to take her shot, landing a ball in the pocket.

“Oops. I didn’t mean to do that,” she says, but that little smile of hers tells me she damn well did mean it. “I made the shot, though. Guess I didn’t need your help after all.”

This girl is something else. I have to be quick on my feet around her, it seems. What to say, what to say. “Game on, Presley. We were going easy on you girls, but not anymore. Ain’t that right, Jere?”

He chuckles, and Presley stands up a little straighter.

“Like you went ‘easy’ at the game against my brother?” she asks, raising a brow once more. “Don’t kid yourself, Levi. You,” she pokes my chest, ”just suck.”

She’s probably around 5’7”, but she has no problem trying to intimidate me. I’m what? Nine inches taller than her? It’s actually a bit funny to see, but I’m not telling her that. “So you are McCarthy’s little sister.”

“We’re twins and technically, I’m older by a minute. What? No comment on how you suck?”

I ignore that. “Are you sure? You two don’t look alike.”

“Never said we were identical. You don’t think about what leaves your mouth, do you?”

“Oh? You’re thinking about my mouth?” I smile to further show off my sure to be crooked grin. A grin that could drop panties within seconds if I wanted it to.

“You wish, Levi. I’m not one of your Puck Bunnies that will fall into your bed just because you look decent.”

“That’s all? Decent? At least give full credit to my looks.”

“Have you looked in the mirror lately? I think decent is pushing it, to be honest.”

“Oh really? You don’t find me attractive, Presley?” I cross my arms knowing the effect. My shirt tightens across my chest just a bit and my arms look big, tan, and muscular. For a fraction of a second, she looks over my arms before snapping her eyes back on mine, her throat moving as she swallows hard. I lean down and whisper into her ear. “Oh, you so think I’m hot.”

“Your turn, Levi,” Jere ends our conversation.

I walk away from Presley to the other side of the pool table, noting that she hasn’t turned around yet as I prepare for my shot. Only the eight ball is left for us and one striped is left for them. I call the left pocket and gently push the ball in that direction. It sinks gracefully and I high-five Jere.

“I think the girls owe us, don’t you, Jere? Losers should buy us a late night snack.”

At that, Presley turns to look at me and then Marley, who is on the verge of saying something.

“We should probably go, right Marley?”

I hold in my laugh at her desperate look to her friend. “Be a good sport, Presley. Buy me a meal.”

I earn myself another glare, and I can’t hold back my smile as Marley says, “It could be interesting. Let’s just go and get it over with.”

“Fine,” Presley agrees with a roll of her eyes. That is the give-away to her being McCarthy’s sister. She looked exactly like he did the other night when he rolled his eyes at me.

Presley

I don’t want to go anywhere with Levi Carr. It’s bad enough that I am at this party, but Marley wanted me to meet Jere. I’m not much into the party scene, but I’ll do anything for Marley. I know about Levi because he went to high school with my twin brother, Trevor. Trevor and I were separated when our parents divorced. However, we remained close. We talked all the time, and Levi was a topic of conversation more than once. I know how hard it was for Trevor when he became captain of their high school team, taking away the captaincy from Levi. Trevor is an extremely talented hockey player, and he deserved to be captain.

The four of us head out of the party and down the street. We head to Lou’s Diner, which is a local hang out for Roxboro University students. Marley and I ate there a few times when we hung out together on RU’s campus. I was going to stick close to Marley to stay away from Levi, but she is all over Jere. I look to my left and see Levi watching me.

“What are you staring at?” I can see his blue eyes sparkling in the moonlight.

“Just admiring the view.” That stupid cocky grin of his makes my heart flutter, but I’m not going to let him get to me. I just know that he is going to use his killer good looks to work some angle on me.

“Well, all you are doing is staring at me,” I quip.

“Like I said, just admiring the view.” He is still using the arrogant grin on me.

“Does that cheesy line work on other girls?” I roll my eyes at him.

His laugh echoes in the night air, but he ignores answering my question. “So, how is it that I didn’t know McCarthy has a twin sister?”

I shrug at his question. “Our parents divorced when we were in high school. I stayed with our mother, and Trevor moved away with our dad.” Trevor and I were not happy about the divorce or our separation. It was always just us two because our parents put their careers first. The only time our parents cared about me is when they were telling me what to do and what not to do. Trevor never had that problem because he was perfect in their eyes. To them, I’m just their little girl, who doesn’t know any better.

“Well, that sucks. However, the positive side is you are here now and with me.” His confident smirk is still plastered on his face as he pulls me from my thoughts.

“Wow, it has been a long time since I’ve had a guy try so hard with me. Do those cheap lines actually work for the Puck Bunnies?” At the party, I saw several of the groupies hanging around him.

“Hey, give those young ladies some credit. Some of them know a little bit about hockey.” I can’t believe that he is going to defend a Bunny.

“Really? Well, I’ve yet to meet a Bunny that knows the difference between icing and off sides.”

“My, my, Ms. McCarthy, are you saying that you know the difference?” Did he think he was going to challenge me on hockey rules? Again, I roll my eyes at him.

“Mr. Carr, are you worried that I know more about hockey than you?” I smirk back. I love hockey, and I dare him to challenge me.

We finally make it to the diner, and I’m thankful. I’m dying to get away from Levi and his blue eyes. As Jere holds the door open for Marley and I, I grab her elbow and lead her to the bathroom.

“Um, okay, do you think I could’ve at least told Jere I was going to the bathroom?” Marley asks as I lock the bathroom door. She crosses her tan arms and glares at me.

“I need a break from Levi for a moment.” I lean on the counter and take a deep breath.

“Is he getting to you?” she asks with concern. 

“No,” I say firmly.

Marley flips her blonde hair over her shoulder and raises an eyebrow at me. I always have the hardest time lying to her. We’ve been friends since high school, and she knows me better than anyone.

I take another deep breath and push my hands through my red hair. “Okay, maybe a little. I just know how hard he made Trevor’s life in high school, and I think he has something up his sleeve. Why else would he be flirting with me?”

“Well, you’re smart and a great decision maker. Use your best judgment with him. My best judgment is telling me that I like Jere and I’m hungry.” She is trying not to crack a smile, and I have to laugh at her.

“Fine. Let’s go buy these boys dinner.”

She laughs again as we walk out of the bathroom. Jere and Levi are at a table in the corner. Levi’s smile is breathtaking, but I need to focus and make sure I am on my game. I’m not going to let this guy get to me. No matter how much he flirts.

“Presley, I was beginning to worry you climbed out of the bathroom window.” Levi’s bright blue eyes seem to look right through me.

“There was no window or I would have.” I give him my best fake smile. Marley sits down next to Jere, while I am stuck next to Levi. I’m happy that we are on the other side of town. I don’t need Trevor seeing me with Levi.

“Now, what am I going to order? I am very hungry from all that ice time.” I watch Levi look over the menu. “And it’s free tonight so that makes it even better.” Across the table, Marley and Jere are whispering to each other, and I’m glad I can’t hear them.  I look down at my menu, but nothing looked good.

“What are you getting to eat?” Levi whispers in my ear. His sudden closeness causes me to jump slightly.

“I guess I am going to eat...food.” I smile at him sarcastically. He chuckles lightly and moves his chair closer to me. I can’t help but smell his cologne. It is the perfect combination of  freshness and the ocean.

“You’re feisty.” His voice is like silk in my ear and makes my knees weak. “I like that.”

“You can stop your flirting now.”

“Flirting? I don’t think guys ‘flirt’.” He hasn’t lost that cocky grin yet.

“Well, whatever you want to call it, just stop it.”

“You don’t even know me, so where is all the hostility coming from?” He sits back in his chair and crosses his arms.

“I know enough about you,” I point out.

“Would you mind to clarify that comment?” He puts his elbow on the table and rests his head in his hand while his eyes grow with curiosity.

“I know what my brother has told me and that’s all I need to say.” I see the waitress coming over to us. Marley and Jere finally look up from their make-out session to look at the menu. We order our food, and I notice that Levi is leaning towards me.

“I would love to know what McCarthy has said about me,” he whispers in my ear. I can feel his hot breath on my ear, and I know that I need to compose myself. Having Levi this close to me is intoxicating.

“Oh, don’t worry. It was just a little talk between twins,” I sneer at him.

“Have I told you that you are cute when you get angry?” He is really trying to get me riled up.

“Have I told you that I don’t care what you think about me?” I crack back.

He is about to say something when Jere finally joins the conversation. “Presley, Marley told me that you really like hockey. Who is your favorite team?” I could feel my face light up as I bite my lip. I could talk about hockey all day long, especially my favorite team.

“I love the Pittsburgh Penguins. I have since I was very young.” I can’t help but think of the greatest team in the NHL. Growing up in New York it is almost required to like one of the state’s team. Not me, though, it’s Pittsburgh all the way for me. I can remember Trevor giving me grief about liking them when we were growing up.

“You like Pittsburgh?” Levi says next to me. I can tell what is coming next. I hear it all the time.

“Yeah, so what? I know that I’m not from Pittsburgh, but they are the greatest team.” I give him a stern look. He throws his hands up like he is surrendering.

“I wasn’t going to argue with you. Actually, I have to agree.” Now it is my turn to be taken aback.

“Oh, well, okay.” I think Levi is going to say something else, but our food comes instead. I stare at my food and realize that I’m not as hungry as I thought. I figure I need to learn more about Jere since Marley seems to like him. “So, Jere, what is your major?” With that question, Jere goes into a long winded answer about majoring in business. I can see Marley just staring at him, hanging on his every word. It makes my stomach turn. I want Marley to be happy, but I am more focused on school, getting a job and being on my own. I really don’t need a boyfriend right now. 

“What about you, Presley?” Jere’s question brings me out of my thoughts.

“What?”

“He asked you about your major?” Marley looks at me, knowing that I wasn’t paying attention to him.

“Oh, I am pre-law.”

“Pre-law?” Levi questions. “That means you’re smart and beautiful.” He cocks an eyebrow at me.

“What is your major, Levi?” I put my hand up to my mouth and gasp. “I bet it’s hockey.” I sound like I made some huge discovery and Marley laughs at me.

“No, Miss Smarty Pants, hockey is not my major. I’m a chemistry major,” he says matte
r-of-factly.

“Really?” I’m actually shocked. Levi doesn’t seem like the type to be in a lab coat.

“Are you shocked that I might have room in my brain for something other than hockey stats?” he says curtly.

“Actually, yes,” I answer honestly.

“Well, you’re wrong Miss Smarty Pants. I’m much smarter than you think.” He looks down at his food and begins to eat again. If I didn’t know better, I would’ve thought I hurt his feelings.

The rest of our meal is filled with small talk. I like Jere and I think Marley and he make a cute couple. After the waitress brings the check, I pay for Levi’s meal. Now, I’m good and ready to head back to my apartment.

“Marley, are you ready to go?” Marley picked me up tonight because she is going to stay at my place tonight.

“Um, you can take my car with you. I’m going to Jere’s tonight.”

“Hey, Marley, keep your car with you. I’ll take Presley home.” Levi is too quick and  generous with his offer.

“No, I can find my own way home. Thank you anyway.” I know that I will have to call Trevor, and he will flip out with me at his rivals’ campus.

“I’m not taking ‘no’ for an answer. I’ll take you home. See ya later, Jere. Nice to meet you Marley.” He stands up and looks down at me. This can’t be good, but I really don’t have a choice.

“Ugh, fine.” I stand up too. “Bye, Marley, and it was nice to meet you, Jere.” Marley has a small smirk on her face and makes the motion to call her later. I bet she’s thinking something is going to happen between Levi and me, but that is so far from the truth.

Levi holds the door for me as we walk out of the diner and down the street. I notice that Levi’s SUV is closer to the diner than the party. He opens the door for me and the first thing I notice is the fresh, clean scent. It smells just like Levi, and I like it more than I should. Levi gets into the car and pulls onto the road toward James Wayne University.

“So, which dorm are you in?” He breaks the silence with his question.

“I don’t live in the dorms. I live at the Bridge Apartments. Do you know where those are?” I should have him take me to Trevor’s, so he wouldn’t know where I live, but I know that Trevor would have a fit if he knew I was with Levi.

“Yeah, I know where those are. You live there with your roommates?” I know that he is questioning my living arrangement for a reason like most guys do. I figure I’ll be honest with him.

“I don’t have any roommates. I live alone.”

“It must be nice to have a place of your own. I live with a couple of other teammates.”

“That is what my brother does too.” When I first came to college, I thought about having a roommate, but I prefer to have my own space. The ride is mostly silent, and I notice that he is different when he’s not around others. He is easy to talk to, and I don’t feel uncomfortable with the silence. I keep glancing at him to see just how good looking he really is. He’s breathtaking, if you like that, which I do. I quickly shake the thoughts from my head. I can’t like this guy. He was mean to my brother in high school, and he’s his biggest rival.

There isn’t much traffic so it’s a quick ride to my apartment. We’re pulling into my parking lot, and I’m ready to jump out and run away from his blue eyes.

“Well, thanks for the ride.”

“I will walk you up.”

“No,” I say abruptly.

Levi laughs. “I’m just going to make sure you’re okay.” I can’t argue with his sweet statement. It’s been a long time since someone, besides Trevor, has cared about my safety. Plus, I can tell there is no point in arguing. I nod my head as we head towards my building.

“This is a nice building. These are all new, right?” Levi asks as we climb the stairs.

“Yes, they finished them when I was a freshman.” We make it to my door. I unlock it, and I can feel the heat from Levi’s body as he stands extremely close to me. I really hope that he doesn’t try to kiss me because I’m not sure what I will do. I step over my threshold and turn back to him. His hands are on his hips, and he has that killer smirk on his face. His piercing blue eyes are staring right through me, and I can feel my heart fluttering again.

“We should go out on a date.”

“What?” I almost shout my question at him. Did I hear him correctly? I knew all night that he was planning something.