Page 56 of Levi

Cade Williams, New York’s pride and joy, is at the center of a rivalry between the Cyclones and the Firebirds, all beginning the year he was drafted. It’s rumored to have started because Cade ended up signing with New York instead of Nashville like had originally been planned. At least that’s what I’ve heard. They blame the staff in New York, apparently saying sneaky things were going on behind the scenes, but that’s all anyone knows. Cade was left out of it. He just knew he wanted to play hockey, so he was thrilled to be drafted either way.

It’s not anyone's fault that’s how it all played out, and at the end of the day, it’s a business decision. But here in Nashville, they’ve never gotten over it.

“I’ll make the call this afternoon. Will you please make sure that I get looped in once Anderson goes to the doctor? I want to know how long we think this is going to be. If it's going to be a while, we might want to rethink some of the lines, try to take some of the heat off some of the guys, find some pairings that might align a little better for now,” he says, obviously lost in thought, his brain always on the move.

“Sounds good. Is there anything else, or can I head back to my office? I have Cooper coming in soon to pick up some things and I need to go make sure it’s all ready,” I say, praying there’s nothing else and I can go back to my office.

“There’s one more thing I did want to talk to you about, Quinny,” my uncle says, using my childhood nickname, the one he only brings out when he’s trying to sweet talk me into something he knows I’ll hate.

“Okay?” I say nervously.

“You and Levi…what’s the deal there?” My uncle asks, jumping straight to the point.

“I’m not sure what you mean, Uncle.”

Although I know exactly what he means, I'm not interested in making this easy on him.

Call me petty, call me a dumb blonde, I don't really care. I'm not in the mood for the bullshit today—especially not from my family.

Leaning back in his chair, his fingers rest on his chin as he stares at me like he's not sure if I'm really playing dumb.

Yup. I am.

“What's actually happening with this ‘relationship’ between the two of you? We both know you're not stupid enough to go and fall for Levi,” he says, and his tone on the word “Levi” pisses me off.

He says it like it's poison, taboo, something that shouldn't be spoken about. Like Voldemort.

“And why is that? Because he's been nothing but amazing to me, making sure I've been taken care of, and that I'm happy, which is more than I can say for any of my family,” I add that last part without even thinking; apparently I'm really not able to hide my emotions right now.

My uncle looks like I've slapped him, but only for a moment before he steels his face, looking at me with narrowed eyes. “You remember what he did to your sister? Don't even get me started on how the two of you even think it's acceptable for you to be dating each other after he was with Ally. I mean, isn't that against some kind of code or something?”

It would be if I hadn't wanted him first and if she hadn't cheated on him.

“First he cheats on Ally, and then he starts dating you, and you never gave her the courtesy of a conversation about it. She was really hurt. I still think you should talk to her,” he says, shaking his head, but I just wait, making sure he's done because, honestly, this is the last time I'm going to talk to him about this beforehetalks to Ally. I will not be talking to her or him until that happens.

“See, that's where you’re wrong, Uncle Ronnie, but out of respect to Levi, that's not my story to tell,” I snap, finally leaning forward, my elbows on the table like a viper ready to lunge.

Mama’s done playing nice.

“Oh? And who's story is it.”

“Ally’s.”

“We've already talked, and she told me everything that happened. Everything you both have done.”

“I think it's time you got the non-fiction version, but I mean, the fantasy version you and the rest of the world have received was definitely good at keeping her reputation up, so good for her. Maybe she'll win best actress or something.”

“So Levi got to you, huh?”

Now I'm pissed.

“I'm done,” I tell him, standing up. “I'm done sitting here listening to you believe everything Ally spoon feeds you, and somehow, she's got you fooled. You're so blinded by everything that you don't realizeshemade this entire mess and just in her personal life. You think it's acceptable for her to do whatever she wants, never minding who it's disrespecting, and she doesn't even do her own damn job. I'm done,” I say, and I grab my stuff and turn around.

“Quinn, sit down or you’re fired,” my uncle says, his face red as I look back, but I don't care.

“Talk to me when you've gotten the real story from Ally. I've gotta go call Seattle back and see if they've still got a job offer for me.”

And I walk out, letting the door slam behind me as I walk back down to my office.

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