Dirty Pucker (Denver Bashers #2)

41. Ingrid

Chapter 41

Ingrid

I sit in the stands and watch as Del flies across the ice while the announcer introduces the players on the home team.

It’s the first game of the playoffs, and the Bashers are facing off against the Los Angeles Demons.

I bite back a smile, giddy at the surprise I have for him. Hopefully he’ll see it during the game.

“Someone’s in a good mood.” Maya playfully elbows me. She flashes a teasing smile as she glances at what I’m wearing. “Never thought I’d see you wearing one of these.”

I smile down at the maroon Bashers jersey I’m wearing. Number sixty-six. Del’s number.

She beams. “He’s gonna go nuts.”

My stomach does a backflip in anticipation of his reaction.

“You think so?” I say to Maya.

She nods. “Oh, definitely. You should have seen the look on Theo’s face the first time I ever wore his jersey when I watched him play. I think that’s when he fell in love with me.”

“Aww so sweet.”

Strobe lights flash across the ice as they finish up the intro. Warmups start, and Maya pulls out her phone to show me her latest earring designs.

“Wow, those are so pretty,” I say when she shows me a pair of delicate gold chain earrings. She’s a jewelry designer with a successful online store.

“Thanks. I’ve been experimenting with some new aesthetics. What do you think about these chunky gold hoops?”

“Oh, I love them!”

“Really? You don’t think they look too clunky?”

I shake my head. “Not clunky at all. They’re bold and elegant.”

She beams. “You’re seriously the best. I still owe you for all those times you posted photos of my earrings on your social media accounts. You gave me the boost I needed when I was a nobody with your million-plus following.” She hugs her arm around me.

“Your business is a success because you design beautiful earrings, not because of me.”

Maya rolls her eyes, smiling. “You’re way too humble. You played a huge part, Ingrid. And I’ll love you forever for it.”

I hug her tight. “Aww Maya babes, I love you.”

She puts her phone away and ties up her long, black-brown hair into a ponytail. “You’re the social media queen. Embrace it.”

I laugh.

“I mean it, Ingrid. Look at what you’ve accomplished with the Bashers’ TikTok,” she says. “They went from a few thousand followers to two hundred thousand in the two months that you’ve been working for the team. They’re a hit on social media because of you.”

I take in the sincerity in my best friend’s expression. My chest swells at the way she sings my praises.

“Not only that, look at what you did with Del,” she says. “He went from one of the most hated guys in the league to a beloved player on the Bashers. That’s because of you and the way you’ve featured him on the Bashers’ TikTok account. And the magic you’ve worked on his Instagram.”

Since I took over Del’s Instagram account, Del has amassed almost fifty thousand followers. I post content regularly to his account and have noticed such a difference in the kind of comments he’s been getting recently. Whenever I post a photo of him during practice or a game, people rave about his skills as a player. And when I do fun posts, like of him posting food photos or goofing around with the other guys on the team or playing with the cats and dogs at the local shelter, he gets tons of glowing comments.

It’s been awesome to see just how positive the response has been. People are starting to see that he’s not just Dirty Del. He’s a sweet guy with a funny and wholesome side.

Maya smiles at me. “You made the Bashers fanbase fall in love with Dirty Del. Do you know how incredible that is? You’ve got such a talent for social media, Ingrid. Be proud.”

I soften at her heartfelt words. “Del said the same thing to me.”

She smiles. “He knows how brilliant his girlfriend is.”

I’m quiet for a second. “I had a hard time believing him though when he said it. And I think it’s because of the way Kyle and his friends used to belittle my work as an influencer.”

Maya’s brow furrows in concern. She grabs my hand in hers.

“I mean, I know social media isn’t the most important job. Not like I’m out here saving the world,” I say.

“Hey.” Maya gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “Don’t you dare talk yourself down. None of us are saving the world or curing cancer. That doesn’t mean our jobs don’t matter. That doesn’t mean we don’t deserve to be respected.”

I nod, agreeing with her.

“Kyle was a massive jackass who had no business criticizing your job,” she says. “He was a corporate lawyer. Talk about one of the most useless jobs on the planet.”

I laugh.

“You’re with a guy who is a million times better than your douchebag ex.” Maya flashes a soft smile. “Del recognizes how brilliant you are. He’d never in a million years belittle you.”

Warm gathers in my chest. My heart thuds. She’s right. He’s amazing.

She nods toward the ice, where Del and the rest of the Bashers are warming up. I watch as he goes through his stretch routine. We’re sitting to the right of the Bashers team bench, a couple rows back. Del is right in front of us, but he hasn’t seen us yet.

Maya looks at Del, then at me. “Del could kick your douchebro ex’s ass with one hand tied behind his back. That’s pretty amazing too.”

I burst out laughing. Just then I catch eyes with Del. He waves and flashes that killer half grin. A second later, his gaze drops to the jersey I’m wearing.

His jersey.

Even from this far away, I can see the look in his eyes. I catch a flash of something feral. Like he’s thrilled and hungry at the same time.

It sends butterflies whipping around my stomach.

He quirks up an eyebrow. And then he holds up a gloved hand and makes a spinning motion with his finger.

“I think he wants the full view,” Maya teases.

With my eyes locked on Del, I stand up, swipe my hair over my shoulder, and turn around.

I look over my shoulder so I can see his reaction. That hungry look in his eyes intensifies. His half-smile turns into a full-on grin.

A second later, he runs his tongue along his lips. My stomach dips.

“Someone really, really likes seeing you wear his jersey,” Maya teases.

I turn back around and sit down. Del’s gaze is still glued on me as he skates backwards to finish up his warmup.

One of his teammates gets his attention and he finally looks away.

When I exhale, I notice just how quickly my heart’s beating.

“The way you two eye-fuck each other is epic,” Maya says.

My face heats even as I chuckle. Warmup ends and the teams get ready for puck drop.

A moment later, Dakota comes over. We stand up to hug her.

“Sorry I’m late,” she says. “Faculty meeting ran a bit long.”

We tell her it’s no problem. She eyes my jersey and smiles at me. “You and my brother are jersey official?”

I nod.

“You should have seen the way they were eye-fucking a minute ago,” Maya says.

Dakota makes a joking disgusted sound. “Thank god I missed that.”

A second later Dakota’s mom Nancy arrives. She hugs Dakota and I stand up to hug her, then introduce her to Maya.

Nancy sits between Dakota and me. When she notices I’m wearing Del’s jersey, the biggest smile spreads across her face.

She grabs my hand. “I’ve never seen my son so happy than when he’s with you.”

I smile and give her hand a squeeze. “Really?”

She nods. She gives me a quick side-hug right as the Bashers and Devils hit the ice, ready for the puck drop.

We watch as Del gets ready to face off against a Devils player.

The first half of the first period is scoreless. Both teams put up a good fight scrambling for control of the puck. There are a few scoring attempts on both goalies, but nothing makes it into either net.

After scrambling with a Devils defenseman, Del gets control of the puck. He passes it to Theo, who attempts a shot at the Devils goalie, but misses. The puck flies to the side, landing near Del. He winds up and takes the shot. A half-second later, it rockets to the back of the net.

The home crowd is on their feet, screaming for the first goal of the game. I watch as Del’s teammates surround him and celebrate his goal. The entire arena is vibrating with energy.

I think back to the first game Del played with the Bashers. When he scored, the reaction was so subdued.

It’s like night and day compared to now. Now they’re shouting and smiling and smacking his helmet in celebration.

Del has made amends with the guys who used to be his enemies. They worked out their differences and bonded as friends. He’s part of the team now, and I’m so happy for him.

He skates over to our side of the ice and looks right at me. He smiles and winks at me before skating off.

“Del is looking at you like he’s ready to devour you,” Maya whispers in my ear. “That jersey is hotter than lingerie.”

“Good thing I’m wearing both,” I say in a low voice so only she can hear me.

She raises her eyebrow, like she’s intrigued and impressed. I smile, excited for what I have planned for Del later tonight.