What Are The Odds?: A college hockey romance. (Phil-U Book 1)

Grace.

I leant against the building, waiting for our lecturer to arrive. The door was locked, which sucked. It was bloody freezing. I scrolled through my phone, reading through all the birthday messages from back home. They were ahead of me, so I’d woken to a stream of DMs and Instagram tags. People I hadn’t seen in months were sharing photos, photos which made me miss home so bloody much. Luke had sent me a long message, catching me up on all the things I was missing. And my brothers had text to say they’d phone after work. Ava and Stella had made the morning special too. They’d decorated our dorm room in balloons and streamers and had drawn the words birthday girl on my swimming cap for this morning’s practice. Even coach had given me a birthday treat by removing all burpees from the workout. 

“Grace!”

Ryker walked towards me, his backpack draped over one shoulder. I locked my phone and dropped it into my jacket pocket.

“Hey,” I smiled. “How was your break?”

“Great. I managed to get back home and catch up with my family.”

I was totally envious. What I’d give to be able to catch up with my family. Especially today.

“Did you stay on campus?” he asked.

“No. After my meet I flew to Colorado and spent Thanksgiving with Levi and his family.”

Ryker cocked an eyebrow. “Big move. Things are going well between you two then?”

I nodded.

“I’m glad.”

And he sounded like he meant it. I think. I caught sight of Levi out the corner of my eye. He was climbing up the steps, taking them two at a time. He wasn’t wearing his hockey jacket like usual. It seemed to be the team’s ammo to wear it to all campus classes. The football team were the same. Ryker being the prime example right now. After his party, Levi had assured me he’d had someone get Ryker’s jacket back to him. I guess he hadn’t been lying, because Ryker had never asked for it.

“Where are your things?” I asked once Levi reached us.

He didn’t have his backpack or even his laptop.

“We’re not going to class today,” he told me. “We’re playing hooky.”

“We are? Why?”

“I don’t know.” He smiled playfully “Maybe because it’s your birthday.”

My mouth fell open. How the hell did he know that?

“It’s your birthday?” Ryker asked, shock evident across his face. “Shit, Grace. I’m sorry. I had no idea. Happy birthday.”

“Thank you,” I returned, cheeks heating. “I’m not one to make a big fuss of birthdays.”

“Too bad.” Levi grinned. “Because I am. You ready?”

“Um. I suppose.”

He reached forward and closed his warm hand over mine. I guess we were really blowing off class.

“I’ll see you later,” I called to Ryker as Levi dragged me away.

“No you won’t,” Levi said once we were far enough away for Ryker to overhear.

“Figure of speech, caveman.”

Once we reached Levi’s car, he pushed me against it before lowering his mouth over mine. His hands travelled down my ribcage and ended on my ass, squeezing lightly. I shivered as my tongue met his. How he managed to turn something as mundane as getting into the car into a make out session never surprised me. Pulling back, he beamed at me.

“Now that’s how I really wanted to say happy birthday.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“Didn’t want to be a dick in front of Ryker in case he’s still broken hearted over you.”

Rolling my eyes, I playfully shoved his chest.

“How did you find out it was my birthday?”

“I have sources.”

I raised one eyebrow.

“Ava,” he clarified. “And for the record, I am totally mad you didn’t tell me. But we can argue about that tomorrow. Not on your birthday.”

I chuckled. “Noted.”

He opened the door then gestured for me to climb in. I was relieved. The thought of getting hypothermia on my birthday wasn’t ideal. When Levi started the car, my phone automatically connected to the Bluetooth speaker. I’d vetoed all of Levi’s playlists until he eventually agreed to let me control the radio. Several notifications came through the speakers. The birthday wishes were still coming in hot and heavy. Because I hadn’t seen my family and friends for a long time, the messages weren’t short. They were recaps of what was going on back home, questions about my life here and, most importantly, when I’d be back. It was taking a lot of time writing back to them all.

“Who sent you that essay?” Levi asked, looking over my shoulder.

“Luke.”

Big mistake. Levi’s eyes widened.

“Luke messaged?”

“We’re friendly. Remember?”

“Not too friendly I hope,” he chastised, jutting his bottom lip. “Whoa, Hughesy. You’re popular. What’s this?”

I clicked on the Instagram notification that appeared. My high school best friend had tagged me in an Instagram post. There were four photos. One of us in our school dresses, smiling up at a camera. Another of us hanging out at the beach. A group shot of all my school friends at Schoolies, an end of year trip most year twelves went on. And a shot of Luke and me, his arms draped around my shoulders and his cheek pressed to mine.

“This is cool.” Levi’s eyes narrowed. “Except that one. Are there more?”

We sat in the car for a while, going through all the photos that elicited memories from home. Levi loved seeing them, loved hearing the stories I recalled or the faces I put names to. Right now, my whole world kind of revolved around him. But I had an entire life back home he didn’t know about. I’d met his friends. His family. Seen where he grew up. Apart from the awkward on-kiss-FaceTime-fiasco, he hadn’t even spoken to my brothers. I wanted to introduce him to Seth and Dylan. I wanted to show him my high school best friends. I wanted him to be a part of that world, but I was scared. Scared because I wasn’t sure he could be. It felt like he only belonged here. In this bubble. Because I had no idea how we could make the two worlds come together.

“Hey,” he said softly, moving his fingers down my cheek. “Where did you go just then?”

I shook my head, shaking off the dire reality. “Nowhere.” I locked my phone then clipped my seatbelt. “Ready.”

The drive from campus to Levi’s house was one of the few I’d mastered without having to use Google Maps. I spent more time here than I did my dorm now. There was too much here to turn down, though pretty much all the pros were confined to Levi’s bedroom. The fact I could close the door. His huge, comfortable bed. Him.

“Is that for me?” I asked, eyeing the wrapped present sitting on the coffee table when we walked inside.

“It is,” Levi smiled, passing it to me. “It’s just something small for now. Your main present comes later.”

I smirked. “I can’t wait to unwrap it.”

“It isn’t me, Hughesy. But I’ll let you unwrap me too if you like. Nothing’s off the table on your birthday.”

I liked the sound of that. I sat down, resting the box on my lap. It was quite heavy. I shook it.

“Don’t shake it,” Levi warned.

“What is it? Will it break?”

“Just open it,” he ordered.

I did. What it was took me by complete surprise. It was a box of things from back home. Mostly snacks and food. All my favourites. There were several boxes of Arnott’s Shapes. Pizza, Cheese and Bacon, and Chicken Crimpys. There was a large tin of Milo. Two jars of Vegemite. Tim Tams. Chicken salt. Caramello Koalas. I looked up at Levi. He was watching me nervously.

“Levi, how did you–”

“I may have stolen Seth’s number from your phone when you were in the shower and got him to send some stuff over.”

At my widening eyes he added, “Don’t worry. I told him I was just a friend. I hope I didn’t overstep. I just wanted you to have a piece of home on your birthday. I know how much you miss it.”

I’d barely moved the box off my lap before I was throwing myself at him.

“It’s perfect. You’re perfect. Thank you.” I kissed him. “Thank you.” I kissed him again. “Thank you. Thank you.”

Grinning, he set me back on my feet before taking the tin of Milo from the box.

“What the hell is this stuff anyway?”

He turned it over, reading the ingredients. He was dressed in a dark hoodie, blue jeans and backwards grey cap. So simple, yet so effective. He could wear budgie-smugglers and I’d bet he’d make them look good. The image I conjured caused my core to tingle. Of course he’d make them look good. He’d make them look bloody hot.

“Levi?”

He glanced up.

“I’m ready for my next present now.”

“I told you. It’s later.” His eyes widened when recognition dawned. “Oh.”

I inhaled slowly. “You’ve never looked hotter than you do holding a tin of Milo.”

He set the tin back in the box.

“Yeah? What would happen if I picked up the Vegemite?”

I snorted. “Come here.”

He did, his lips meeting mine. I ran my hands down his stomach before dipping them beneath the hem of his jumper. I danced them over his warm abs, feeling them harden beneath my fingertips. It wasn’t the only hard thing. And I was about to get to that. I lowered to my knees, working on the zip of his jeans as I did. I kept my eyes locked on Levi’s as I slid his jeans and boxers down his strong legs, and again when I took him in my mouth.

“Christ, Hughesy. It isn’t my birthday.”

Exactly. It was mine. And on your birthday, you were meant to get what you wanted. I wanted this. Levi rested his hands on my head, his fingers tangling in my hair. I loved how much he loved this. I loved how making him feel good made me feel. I loved that he’d organised to have part of my home here today. I just loved him. I faltered slightly, the realisation hitting me like a bucket of cold water. I didn’t bother denying it to myself. I’d fallen hard for Levi. I loved how confident he was. I loved how caring he was. I loved spending time with him. I loved going to sleep beside him. I loved waking up wrapped around him. And I loved that I’d realised I loved him while his dick was in my mouth. If that wasn’t Levi Holloway, I don’t know what was.

“Get up here,” he huskily breathed.

I pulled back. “Why?”

“So I can give you the birthday sex you deserve.”

He didn’t give me a choice. He bent down, hooking his hands under my arms to pull me to my feet. His mouth covered mine, the kiss much more suggestive than the first.

“You have far too many layers on, Hughesy,” he complained, pushing my jacket off my shoulders.

Once it was gone, I raised my arms in the air. He tucked them by my side.

“Let’s go upstairs,” he said, reaching for the pants still wrapped around his ankles.

“I have a better idea.” I motioned to the couch behind me. “If it’s going to be a sex couch, it only seems fair that I’m the last girl you remember having sex with on it.”

Chuckling, he shook his head. “Too risky.”

“It’s my birthday,” I said, jutting my bottom lip. “I thought nothing’s off the table. Besides, I know for a fact Tripp is in class and Ryan is studying in the library because he has a test after lunch.”

Thanks to the Instagram Story he’d posted earlier.

“Where’s Will?”

“Getting in extra ice time,” Levi reluctantly admitted.

I smiled triumphantly before reaching over my head and removing my own jumper. Levi’s gaze fell to my lacy bra.

“Any other excuses, Holloway?”

Levi playfully nudged me onto the couch. I fell onto it with a yelp.

“Fine,” he exhaled. “Have it your way birthday girl.”