“Well, I have been talking to your mother, which I know you’re aware of this, and I remember being young and in love. I also know that men are stupid.” I can’t help, but laugh. “But, sometimes the stupid things we do have good intentions. Trevor told me what Levi said to you at your apartment and I think Levi’s intentions were wrong at first. However, he did see the error of his ways and I think you should at least talk to him. If nothing else, you will have closure.” My dad pats my hand, and I’m still in shock as I process his words. My dad just gave me some great advice. I love Levi and I should really sit down and listen to him.
“Thank you, Daddy.” I reach over and hug him. It’s been so long since I had really hugged him and it feels good.
Trevor comes back with our drinks and we have a great evening. Once we finish, we say goodbye to dad and head back to our houses. Trevor and I make small talk on our ride and I’m so pleased about my talk with dad.
“So, are you going to talk to Levi?” Trevor asks as we pull into my parking lot.
“Yeah, I’m going to call him. But I don’t know if I’ll forgive him.” Levi will forever hold a place in my heart, and I love him. Nonetheless, I know the difference between love and forgiveness.
“That’s up to you, but I do agree with dad, you need closure.” My brother hugs me, and I go to my apartment.
Sitting at the kitchen table, I pull out the three cards he left me and stare at them. I turn on my iHome and listen to the room fill the air with our song. Tears stream down my face from the ache of missing him. Can I forgive him, though? He hurt me and my brother. That is unforgivable. I think of all the times we were together. I laughed a lot with him and had a great time. I thought about him when I wasn’t with him and I wanted him all the time. Not just for sex, but just to lay next to and spend time with. I sigh and stare at the cards more.
When the song ends, I call his phone, but it goes to voicemail. My heart twists hearing his voice on the phone. “Levi, it’s me. I would like to sit down and talk to you. Call me, please.” I think of what night it is and remember that Levi has a late game at RU. I look at the time and realize I can make it over there before it ends. I grab my keys and rush over there.
~ ~ ~
It’s cold standing outside the players entrance for Levi, but I want to have this talk now. Putting it off just isn’t going to help anything between us. A few players pass me and then I see Gavin and Nichols. I roll my eyes at Nichols, but I don’t my mind Gavin too much.
“Hey guys, is Levi coming out soon?” I try not to look at Nichols.
“Um, Presley, um, Levi isn’t here.” Nichols stammers to me.
“What? Levi missed a game?” I look at Nichols this time.
“Hey, listen. I’m really sorry about everything that went down a few weeks ago. Levi really cares about you and I shouldn’t have done that to you and him.” Nichols looks nervous, but all I do is nod.
“Where’s Levi?” He never mis
ses a game. I know how much hockey means to him. “Is he hurt or something?” Gavin and Nichols look at each other.
“Levi didn’t want you to know, but his dad is in the hospital. He had a heart attack,” Nichols says sadly.
“What? When? Is he ok? What hospital is he at?” My heart is hammering out of my chest as I think about Levi and his dad. Victor is such a great man. I know that is the only family Levi has left, too. “Why aren’t you assholes with him?” I suddenly become mad at them. They just left him alone.
“He didn’t want anyone with him and he told us to play,” Gavin says.
“His dad is in bad shape and he’s at county hospital,” Nichols adds. I take off in a run to my car. I need to get to Levi. I need to be with him and make sure Victor and him are okay. He can’t go through this alone and I will not let him do it alone. I jump in my car and race to the county hospital. Luckily for me, the hospital isn’t that far from me and I make it in record time.
I quickly enter the hospital, going to the front desk and asking for Victor Carr. The lady gives me the room number and I know that he’s in ICU. I don’t have time to wait for the elevator, so I take the stairs.
“Young lady, you’re not allowed up here.” A nurse says from behind the nurses stations.
“I’m going into Victor Carr’s room.”
“You have to be immediate family to be here.”
I know that it’s wrong to lie, but I need to be with Levi and Victor. “I’m his daughter-in-law.”
“Oh, okay. I wasn’t aware he had one. Well, your husband is in the room.”
My heart skips a beat when she calls Levi my husband. I turn and make it just outside the room and I try to catch my breath. I’m scared of what is behind the door.
I slowly push it open, and I hear the beeping of the machines. I peek around the curtain and I see Victor laying in the hospital bed. He is pale and looks so frail. He has wires and IVs everywhere. Levi is standing and looking out the window. He doesn’t know I’m in the room. I don’t want to scare him, so I just take another step into closer.
“Levi,” I whisper his name, as not to startle him. He whips around and he looks terrible. He looks tired, ragged, and I can tell he has been crying. He is completely shocked, his eyes wide.
“Smarty,” his voice cracks. I can’t help it, I run into his arms. He hugs me tightly and I feel his tight body relax around me. “How did you get back here? It’s family only.”