Page 20 of Playing the Neutral Zone

“Levi, if you think I’m just going to drop everything and start seeing you only—”

He smirked.

“What’s there to smirk about?”I questioned.

“I didn’t think you were just going to roll over and go out with me, Scarlett.Oh, and I said nothing about being exclusive.”

“You just said that you always make a plan before making a play.How was I supposed to take it?”I questioned.

He looked at me and shrugged his shoulders.“Take it how you want.I’m just trying to make up for my behavior from last night, and I figured treating you to a night out was a good way to do it.”

“Is that so?

“Yep, plus, sometimes I get a challenge of having to work for something.”He winked.

“Work for what?”I asked as he walked over and pressed a kiss to my cheek, the scent of his cologne invading my nose.

“I hope you have a good day, and just a reminder, you probably shouldn’t leave that yogurt too much longer in the sun.I would hate to see you get sick from eating it.”

He pulled me against him, smiled as he let me go, and made his way back toward the door.I stood there, not knowing what to do or say.Part of me wanted to stop him, ask him if he was feeling alright.

“Oh, Scarlett, you should probably keep an eye out for some surprises this week.Never know when I might be in the mood to add a few gifts to make you forgive me a little quicker.”

I was about to respond when I heard the door shut.

I stood there, looking at the closed door, completely shocked.What the hell just happened?

Chapter 6

Levi

I stood on the ice, my chin resting on the top of my stick as we all listened to Dylan’s plan of attack for tonight’s game.We broke our team talk when Coach Thompkins returned and called Dylan over for a quick one-on-one.As we waited for Dylan to return, I skated around the guys as they talked.

“What’s everyone up to this weekend?”Lucas asked, shooting a puck my way, which I shot down toward the net, lifting my arms in victory as it went in.

“Peyton wants to go shopping for baby clothes.That’s where I’ll be,” Clay said.

“We’ve been invited to have dinner with Dylan and Aurora.No, wait, actualy, we are referees is more like it.Dinner with her mom and Dylan’s dad.Should be a good time,” Knox said, rolling his eyes.

“Lucky you.”Lucas chuckled.“What about you, Colton.”

“New furniture is being delivered to my new place.Then I guess I’ll be working on unpacking.Did you want to help, Levi?”he questioned.“You can bring Mia.Just bring some of her toys.”

“Can’t,” I added.

“What do you mean?What the hell do you have going on that you can’t help me out?”

I wasn’t sure I wanted to divulge too much information to the guys right now.

“I have a date,” I answered, keeping my head down.

“A date?With who?”Lucas asked.“Do we know her?”

There was no way I was going to mention Scarlett’s name yet.So, I shook my head.“Just a girl from my building.Nothing serious.”

It wasn’t unlike me to have the occasional date.I’d dated most nights this past summer before Mia had returned from her grandparents to live with me.She’d been rather a surprise to the guys too, since I’d not mentioned her to them when I first came to the team, but they’d welcomed her with open arms, especially Colton

“Wow, so you even date when you have the little peanut at home?”Colton questioned.“What if you guys want to…oh, I don’t know…return to your place and take a roll in the sheets?”

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