Dirty Pucker (Denver Bashers #2)

20. Del

Chapter 20

Del

I stretch out on the ice during warmups before the game against Las Vegas. Across the ice, I spot the Bandits players doing the same.

I zero in on Owen Crowley. When I think back to running into him yesterday, I grit my teeth. That fucker was flirting with Ingrid. He was so obvious about it.

I bite down harder, angry and jealous when I think about it.

I know I have zero right to feel this way. Ingrid’s not my girlfriend. But the thought of her getting together with that prick makes me want to punch a hole through the nearest wall.

It would be one thing if he were a decent guy. He’s not.

We faced off against each other countless times in college, and we played together in Nashville for a year until he got traded to Las Vegas. He’s always been a fucking slimeball.

He’s the kind of guy who has no problem cheating on the woman he’s with. I remember how he had a girlfriend when he played for Nashville, but every time we played an away game, he was always hooking up with other women. I remember how in the locker room he’d brag about how his girlfriend never found out.

He’s probably got the same setup now that he’s in Las Vegas. I’d bet anything his plan is to flirt with Ingrid, take her out after the game, and try to get into her pants.

That anger burns hot in my belly.

I thought about explaining all that to Ingrid yesterday, but I stopped myself. She’d probably think I was a psycho to get all protective over her because of Owen.

Besides, I don’t even know if she likes him like that. Even if he did try to ask her out, she might not be into it.

Jesus, you’re thinking way too much about this. It’s not your business what she does or who she hangs out with.

“Damn, dude. You look like you’re gonna murder someone,” Xander says while he stretches a few feet away from me.

I look down at the ice. “Just trying to focus.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Xander look between Owen and me. “You have it out for Crowley?”

I nod. I don’t say why. If I mention it’s because of Ingrid, he might say something to Theo and that’ll start shit between us again.

“I don’t blame you. That guy’s a scumbag,” Xander says.

I glance at Xander. It’s honestly nice we can both agree that Owen fucking sucks, especially given our history.

I think about the way I taunted Xander when his sex tape with my ex got leaked months ago, before I was traded to the Bashers. It led to the worst fight we ever had.

An ugly feeling rips through me. Guilt mixed with regret and shame. I should have never done that. I need to apologize.

I can’t now though, not right before a game. It’ll throw him off.

I need to make things right between us soon though.

When I finish stretching, I spot Ingrid standing along the edge of the ice filming warmups.

She catches eyes with me and smiles. I skate over to her.

“Getting some compelling footage?”

She chuckles. “Oh, you have no idea. The TikTok fans are gonna love this.”

I frown as I gaze at my teammates sprawled on the ice, stretching and warming up. “I don’t get it.”

Ingrid laughs again. “You guys look like you’re humping the ice. The comment section is gonna go crazy.”

I let out a chuckle. “Well, when you put it that way.”

Just then, Crowley skates over. He flashes a grin at Ingrid. “Hey.”

She smiles at him. “Hi. How’s warmup going?”

“Good. I’m all loose for the game. You still owe me a TikTok, remember?”

She glances behind her shoulder at the Bashers team bench. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I shouldn’t be seen getting friendly with the enemy.”

He chuckles. “Fair point. Maybe after the game, I can take you out for a drink?”

“Um, maybe.”

He shoots a smug look at me before skating off.

“Don’t go out with him,” I say to Ingrid.

She leans back at the harshness in my tone. “What?”

“Don’t go out with him, Ingrid. He’s a scumbag.”

She frowns. “What do you mean?”

Warmup time ends and we get called back to the locker room. I huff out a breath. There’s no time for me to explain.

I hold her bright blue gaze. “Just don’t, okay? Trust me on this.”

She blinks, her eyes turning soft as she looks at me. “Okay.”

I head to the locker room, anger and adrenaline spiking through me, desperate to take it out on the ice.