Page 20 of Dirty Pucker

Maya laughs and shakes her head. “If you say so.”

For the next few minutes, we watch the game. The buzzer sounds, signaling the end of the first period.

Maya takes a long sip of beer. “I gotta say, I’m surprised to hear that you like Del. He’s not the type of guy you typically go for.”

I watch as Del skates off the ice. My gaze fixes on the dark scruff along his ruggedly handsome face and the hard set of his jaw as he scowls at a Devils player.

“Don’t get me wrong. Del’s a hottie for sure. He’s got that scruffy bad boy look down pat. Not to mention he’s got the hair of a Greek god.”

I chuckle.

“I guess I’m just used to you dating rich pretty boys. Like Kyle. He looked like the quintessential prep school boy-turned-corporate bro.”

I tense at just the mention of my ex’s name. “I’m done with guys like him.”

Maya grabs my hand in hers. Her pretty face twists in a pained expression when I look at her. “I’m sorry I brought him up.”

I try to smile, despite the tightness in my chest at just the thought of Kyle. Maya’s been my best friend since middle school,and we’ve always told each other everything. She knows all about what a jerk he was.

I squeeze her hand in mine. “It’s okay. I get why you’d be surprised about Del. You’re right, he’s not my type. He’s not at all what I expected. He’s really kind and sweet.”

I tell her about how he told off that guy at Spanky’s who harassed me and how fun it was to hang out with him yesterday.

“He’s so funny. And he has a really calm, easygoing energy.”

Maya blinks like she can hardly believe me. “Del Richards is funny and sweet and easygoing?”

I grin and nod.

She chuckles. “You must bring it out in him.”

I glance down at my lap, that familiar flush making its way up my chest and cheeks again.

Maya gently bumps me with her shoulder. “Honestly, that’s adorable. And kind of romantic. This grumpy hardcore hockey player is all soft and sweet for you and only you.”

“We’re just friends.”

My best friend flashes that knowing look once more. “We’ll see.”

Chapter 8

Del

Ifly across the ice after a Devils defenseman in possession of the puck. My heart pounds as I close in on him.

I’ve been running my ass off this whole game trying to play as hard as I can, to show my new team and the Bashers fans that I belong here. It’s my first game in a Bashers jersey and I know everyone is doubting if I’ll be able to fit in—if I’ll be able to hold my own amongst my teammates, who would give anything to get rid of me.

That’s why my nerves were going haywire the second I stepped on the ice for warmups. To be honest, they were haywire the second I stepped foot in the arena hours earlier.

Because I know that everyone around me is watching me, scrutinizing me, waiting for me to screw up. Waiting for me to lose my shit and go all Dirty Del on the ice.

I was all nerves and adrenaline the first few minutes of the game. Even when I scored our first goal, I was riddled with self-doubt, every muscle in my body tense.

But then I saw Ingrid sitting in the stands. I saw her cheering for me, flashing that gorgeous smile.

I saw that sweet and stunning woman who wants to be my friend. Who doesn’t see me as Dirty Del. Who thinks I’m funny and kind and fun to hang out with.

And that’s when I started to feel lighter and more at ease. That’s all it took. One smile from her and I instantly felt calmer.

---