When they were about to end the stream, Country turned to the two of them. “I have one more question, and it has nothing to do with music or hockey.”
Delia pursed her lips. “You’re making me nervous.”
“No, it’s a good one. We’ve had Brangelina, Bennifer, and now Tayvis, so what’s your couple name?”
Delia and Jack looked at each other. “Deliack,” Jack said just as Delia blurted, “Marrison.” They both burst out laughing.
It took a minute for Jenna and Country to finalize the stream and post it on their various social channels. Delia and Jack replaced the bench along the side of the wall and took their previous seats on the other side of the desk.
Jack turned to Delia. “Marrison?”
“Don’t even! You went with the digestive disorder!”
"Alright, Jack. Let’s get on with it.” Jenna opened her tablet, and Jack sat straight.
“I’ll be a model student.”
“Jenna won’t know what to do with that.” Country grinned, and Jenna rolled her eyes.
She moved through rules, some obvious and some not so obvious. Jack listened as best he could with Delia next to him, running her finger over the arm of the chair and wetting her lips. He’d never thought so hard about not touching someone in his life. It definitely impacted his retention.
Then they moved into role-playing, and Country was disappointed there weren’t costumes. Jenna put his comments up as the example of what not to do while Jack did his best to answer with her rules in mind. Not easy or motivating with Delia grinning from ear to ear every time Country pulled out a juicy innuendo. After listening to her laugh at his jokes during the livestream and then seeing her hanging on his every word during the training, Jack had to work hard not to shoot daggers at his friend.
“That’s all I’ve got.” Jenna closed her tablet.
Country looked at his watch, then grinned at Jack. “Pond’s still frozen. Want to dangle?”
Jack ground his teeth. “I didn’t bring my gear.” He wanted nothing more than to take Country out on the ice. And he wanted Delia to watch.
“It’s not in your truck?”
Jack shook his head. “Nope. Stays in the dressing room.”
Country grinned. “That’s right, you’re big time. I’ve got extra skates and a stick.”
Delia turned. “I’ve never seen you play in person.”
“But you’ve seen me play not in person?” Jack asked.
Delia flushed. “I—yes, online. Your highlights are everywhere.” She looked down at her hands a little too quickly.
Adrenaline rushed through his veins. “I’ll play. As long as the two of you lace up.” Jack pointed at Delia and Jenna.
Delia’s head whipped to Jenna. “Do you know how to skate?”
Jenna tried to play it off, but Jack had heard stories. Jenna played hockey in college. She’d handed Country his ass more than a few times. “I’m alright. You?”
Delia balked. “The last time I skated was in high school gym class.”
“That wasn’t that long ago.” Jack grinned.
“Let me add: I almost failed gym class. I had to do extra credit by organizing equipment and cleaning the floors.”
Jack’s smile widened. “Sounds like you could use a refresher.”
Chapter Twenty
Delia steeled herself as Jack glided smoothly across the ice toward her. So far, she’d been able to avoid notice. Jack had been intent on starting a game with Country, and they’d been battling it out for at least a half hour. When Jack sent Country sprawling after stealing the puck, Delia wondered if there would’ve been a better way for him to burn off the tension rolling off him during the training.