Page 45 of Dirty Pucker

We all say yes.

Coach Porter dismisses us and we head off the ice toward the locker room. Alanna walks up to me.

“Hey, Del. When you get a second, can you come to my office and see me?”

I tell her sure. After showering and getting dressed, I stop by her office. She looks up from her computer and grins.

“I have some fantastic news,” she says as I sit down in the chair in front of her desk.

“Yeah?”

“I just got a call from a friend of mine, Luc Jean Pierre.”

“Oh…” The name sounds familiar. I feel like I should know who that is.

“The fashion photographer.”

“Oh right.”

“He’s photographing a series about the beauty of the athletic physique. His first spread is professional hockey, and he wants you to pose as one of the models.”

I blink, shocked. “Seriously?”

She beams. “Yes. Isn’t it exciting?”

“Wow, I…definitely wasn’t expecting you to say that.” I shake my head in disbelief.

Alanna chuckles. “I’m sure it’s quite a shock, but Del, this is such a thrilling opportunity for you.”

“Yeah, I mean, I don’t know anything about fashion or photography, but I’m flattered that a famous photographer would want to feature me in something like this.”

I’m one of the better two-way centers in the league, so I stay in the best shape I can. But being athletic is different from being a figure model for a photoshoot.

“I’ve never done anything like that before,” I say to Alanna. “I don’t know how impressive I’ll be on a photoshoot.”

“I totally understand your concern,” she says. “Fashion and modeling are very different from professional sports. But that’s the whole point of this photoshoot. Luc Jean wants to highlight athletic physiques. He wants to showcase bodies that are built from conditioning and training and playing. Plus, he loves hockey and he asked for you personally. He’s a big fan of yours.”

“Really?”

“Yes. He’s hoping you’ll say yes to this project,” Alanna says. “Sam McKesson from the Seattle Sea Monsters just agreed to do it. I heard that you two are friends.”

I raise my eyebrow. “He did?”

She nods.

“Well, if he’s in, then I’m in.”

Alanna clasps her hands together. “Great! I’ll get the details from Luc Jean and forward them to your agent.”

She tells me that the photoshoot is next weekend in Las Vegas, the same weekend we’re playing there for an away game.

I thank Alanna before standing up and heading out.

As I walk back to the locker room to grab my gear bag, I grab my phone and text Sam.

Me: You got roped into this naked photoshoot too?

I’m walking to my car when he texts back.

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