Page 4 of Playing the Neutral Zone

I looked at Levi, my hands shaking with nerves as Scottie still rambled on about rent, bills, and how what I would earn in a temp position couldn’t possibly cover everything.How I’d never be able to support myself on that type of wage.

“We’re dating, bro,” Levi announced, saving me from having to tell him.

Scottie’s head lifted so quickly, I feared it might pop off.

“What?”

“The reason I’ve asked her to move in isn’t the reasons you’re talking about.We’re dating.We thought we should tell you first.After all, I promised you I’d never lay a hand on her until she graduated, and I told you once she had all promises were off.”

Scottie was quiet for a few moments as he looked from me to Levi.

“You were serious?”

“Yes, he’s serious, Scottie.”I nervously laughed and reached over, placing my hand on his, hoping he wasn’t going to be too angry.

“Well, you know I’m going to have to give him the lecture, right?”my brother said, looking at me.

I rolled my eyes at him.I’d have thought Levi had already proved himself to Scottie through this entire ordeal.

“Only if you feel it’s necessary, but I can assure you he will not hurt me.”

“Not gonna hurt her, bro.That I promise,” Levi said.

“What kind of big brother would I be if I didn’t say it?”Scottie asked, looking over at me.

“A shitty one.”I giggled.

Levi and Scottie laughed at the same time and then gave one another a congratulatory fist bump.

The next morning, I had my shower and made my way down to the kitchen wrapped in my bathrobe.Levi looked over at me, a smile on his face as I took a seat at the breakfast bar.

“It’s going to be so nice to have you here,” Levi said, sliding a plate of pancakes my way.

“I know, I can’t wait.My lease is up at the end of the month, which gives me time to go home, see my mom and dad and get back to the city to pack to move at the end of the month.Which, good news, I’ve already arranged a moving truck.”

“Babe, you should know the guys and I will move you.”

“No way, I’m not having the guys from the hockey team help move me.I barely know any of them, and besides, what if you’re at an away game?”

“Well, you best get to know them.They are my second family, and my schedule is right here for the entire season.”Levi winked, tapping the schedule that was on the side of his fridge.

Levi had just started eating while I shoved the last few bites of my pancakes into my mouth when someone knocked on the door.

“That better not be them,” I said, jumping off the stool, alarmed that I was naked under this bathrobe.

Levi chuckled before leaning down to kiss me.

“Might be.You never know.”He winked.“Go on, go get dressed,” he said, slapping my ass as I turned away from him, causing me to let out a giggle.

Once down the hall and in his bedroom, I took my time getting dressed, washing my face, and then I ran a brush through my hair and put it up in a high ponytail.I shoved my things into my bag and then made my way down the hall.I was just about in the kitchen when I heard voices.I stopped and listened.Was that a woman’s voice I heard?

I stood still, listening.Itwasa woman’s voice.At first, she was calm, but soon their voices started getting elevated, but I still couldn’t make out their conversation as the exchange between them continued.Then things got quiet, and I heard Levi clear his throat and beg the person to wait.

A funny feeling settled in the pit of my stomach.I’d never heard Levi sound panicked before.He continued asking the person to wait, to give him a chance to figure out exactly what this was, and then the door slammed shut and the apartment was quiet.

I stood there for a moment.I wanted to give Levi a few minutes to himself.I felt that whatever had just gone on wasn’t really any of my business, but at the same time I wanted to know what had happened.I was about to turn and head back down the hall when I heard what sounded like a baby crying.

For a moment I froze, my stomach threatening to release the contents of the breakfast I’d just eaten.I tiptoed down the rest of the hallway and rounded the corner, stepping into the kitchen...and stopped dead in my tracks at the scene in front of me.

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