Page 13 of Playing the Neutral Zone

Levi didn’t entertain anymore of the conversation between Mia and me.Instead, he gripped her shoulder and turned her toward the front door of the building, leaving me bent down on the sidewalk.

“We’ve got to go or I’m going to be late,” he grumbled as he opened the door to the building.

Mia stopped, looked back at me and then up at Levi.“Daddy, why are you being so grumpy?You tell me when I’m grumpy I have to go to my room.”

I couldn’t help but smile as I caught the annoyed look on Levi’s face.

“Mia, I said let’s go,” he said, his voice taking on a firmer tone.

“I don’t want to go,” she said, pulling her hand from his and crossing her arms.

“Mia, I don’t have the time for this.Let’s go.”

“No.”She stomped her foot and looked over at me.“I want to stay with her.”She yelled, running toward me, but Levi caught her before she got to me.

Picking her up, he threw her over his shoulder and opened the door to the building walking inside just as she let out a blood-curdling scream.

“Mia, I’ve had enough,” I heard him growl just as the door of the building closed.

I followed them inside and waited beside them while we waited for the elevator.

“Seriously, Levi, I can look after her.It’s not a problem.”

“I don’t think so.To be honest, you’ve done enough, but thanks for the offer,” he barked, just as the elevator door opened and we both stepped inside.Levi hit the twenty-ninth floor and then looked at me, waiting.“Well?”

“Thirteenth,” I answered, holding my bag in front of me, not saying another word until we got to my floor.

“Night,” I said, stepping out of the elevator.

“Enjoy your date.Say hello to Duncan for me,” Levi muttered as he pressed the button to close the elevator doors.

The sound of Duncan’s name rolling off Levi’s lips took me by surprise.I’d figured Scottie would have told him what had happened, but he’d apparently left that out.

I let out the breath I was holding and made my way down the corridor to my unit.Just when I hadn’t thought it was possible for this day to get any worse, it did.

ChapterFour

Levi

“Fucking amazing!”Colton shouted as we headed down the hallway toward the locker room at the end of the game.“That’s how we fucking play!”

“Sure is.That was an absolutely amazing shot, Levi,” Dylan said, smacking me on the shoulder.“We really should take tonight and head out to celebrate.Our fifth win out of five games and all.”

“You guys go ahead,” Clay said, dropping onto the bench in the locker room.“I told Peyton I’d be home after the game.”

“Killjoy!”Lucas chuckled.

“No, not a killjoy.I just promised I’d be there to be with her tonight.”

Knox pulled his jersey off and nodded.“That’s right, he needs to stand up to the words he promised me.To look after her,” he said, giving him the same look he’d given him the night he’d found out they were together, only to laugh the moment Clay did.

I could still hear the crowd cheering as I took off my jersey and dumped it into the laundry hamper in the corner.

“Well, I’m down.I just need to check in with Mrs.Fletcher and make sure Mia is okay.”

Once I’d gotten back to our place, Mia had a full-on meltdown because I’d refused to let her stay with Scarlett.I’d called Mrs.Fletcher in a panic, knowing full well I’d not be able to get her calmed down, cleaned up, and ready in time to make it to the game.She came right up to my place, and before I left, she had things under control and Mia in a warm bath.It was a blessing that she lived in the building for emergencies just like this.I seriously did not know just how lucky I’d been when I’d found her.

I grabbed my phone and quickly called her.The moment I mentioned going out with the guys she confirmed everything was okay and told me to have a wonderful time.Moments later, I’d gotten out of my gear and was on my way to the showers.

---