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“She may be from West Virginia, but Alexandra doesn’t appear the naïve type, Troy. She’s lived in New York a considerable period of time and battled for acting parts. If both didn’t already toughen her, nothing will.”
“There are differences between performing arts and professional sports, Glenn.”
“I know, but don’t go insane with the protective mentor role. I think we may have a little fighter on our hands, and you pushing too far in one direction may cause her to pull in the opposite.”
“That’s a chance I’m willing to take. I want to see Al make it in this sport much as Jon did me.”
“Okay, when are you bringing her to Pittsburgh?”
“Probably not until Internationals end; I’ll be in Russia for at least two weeks with Team Canada and don’t want Al alone in a city where she doesn’t know anyone. It will allow her time to give proper notices to anyone in New York and have her stuff packed and prepare for her road trip to Pittsburgh by the time I return to the States.”
90
“You’re not flying her?”
“I offered, but she insisted on driving from New York. I’d like to closely work with Al, no matter how she gets here.”
“You’re quite high on the young lady.”
“She has a gift for hockey and could go places with the proper guidance. She’s basically alone, Glenn; her dad’s dead, mom disappeared when she was little, no brothers, sisters, or boyfriend. Al needs someone consistent in her life.”
“Let me guess; you want to fill the void. It’s great you’re stepping up, Troy, but remember you may have to fight a few battles along the way.”
“I can handle everything and offer her some stability. If she fights, big deal; it won’t be the first time I had verbal altercations with girls. I have to finish packing to leave for Russia tomorrow morning. I’ll keep you updated on Al’s progress once we’re settled and preparations are underway.”
***
91
Chapter 20
“I can’t believe you’re leaving!” Jennifer whined.
“Where will we find another roommate reliable as you?” Beau asked. “I’m not about to bring someone here from Craigslist.”
“Me neither, man. Alex, why move to Pittsburgh of all damn places?” Greg wondered. “There’s not much action there, at least in my opinion.”
She looked up from a box being packed “Guys, the AHC Draft is next month and I would’ve had to travel there anyway. Stop worrying; I’ll be in good hands with Troy.”
“Who’d thought you transition from making a movie about hockey players to actually becoming one?” Jennifer inquired.
“Not I,” Alex replied, “But Troy and Glenn think my chances of making a team are good.”
92
“At least you’ll be doing what most girls dream about; living with a superstar who happens to be team captain to boot.”
“The arrangement is only temporary, Jen.”
Beau put up his hands. “Wait…wait…wait! Let me get this straight. You’re shacking up with Tammy Tantrum?”
Alex glared at him. “First of all, his name is Troy Talmadge; second, he and I are working to prepare me for the AHC.”
“Oh, he’ll help prepare you all right,” Greg muttered.
“Lessons One and Two: How to Take Dives and Whine Like a Little Bitch at Referees,” Beau added, laughing.
“For God’s sake, knock it off!” Alex scolded them. “Yes, Troy ‘whined’ a few times during his late teens and early twenties – never mind players from other teams constantly tried to hurt him almost every single game – but he happens to be an excellent leader and outstanding captain who wants only the best for his team. Since when is either a crime?"
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“Pay no attention, Alex,” Jennifer said. “They’re jealous.”
Greg gave her an incredulous stare. “I’m jealous of some whiny ass dive monkey? Bitch, please.”
“A ‘whiny ass dive monkey’ that happens to earn $12 million a year. Don’t lie; you hate Troy because he isn’t playing for your team. The guy has unbelievable talent. Anyone with half a brain knows that much.”
“Since when did you become an expert on hockey?” Beau asked. “Alex I can understand, but all you do is talk about how hot some guys are.”
“A girl can look once in a while,” Jennifer countered. “You two ogle cheerleaders during football games.”
“She has a point,” Alex said. “You guys read Playboy and Penthouse with your tongues hanging out, but God forbid Jen comments on some hockey player’s ass.”
“You girls need to get laid,” Greg commented before he and Beau left the room.
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“Why do we deal with them?” Jennifer asked.
“They’re among the most reliable far as sharing rent is concerned,” Alex replied.
“Ugh, to think I’ll be alone to deal with those losers when you’re gone, at least until we get another passable roommate. God only knows how long that process with take, though.”
Alex sat back on her heels. “Remember Phyllis Lodge, another actress I worked with on Vancouver Venus? She’s looking for something cheaper in a decent neighborhood and willing to share with roommates. Why not give her a call?”
“If she can deal with two guys eating us out of house and home, hogging the TV remote, practically camping out in our bathroom and leaving dirty clothes everywhere, more power to her. Do you have a phone number?”
“My address book is on the bedside table. Look under the letter L. Otherwise, get in touch with Mario Banks; he’ll know where for find her.”
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“I’ll call her tomorrow. The guys and I are going to miss you, but if this is what you want, then I support you all the way.”
Alex smiled. “Thanks, Jen, but let’s wait and see what happens at the AHC Draft in a few weeks.”
***
PART THREE:
First Lady
of the AHC
“Some legends are told
Some turn to dust or to gold
But you will remember me
Remember me for centuries.”
—Fall Out Boy, Centuries
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Chapter 21
One month later:
Alex had not settled in Troy’s home thirty-six hours before he started driving her crazy. The nitpicking began when he studied the contents she’d placed in one of the guest room’s closet.
“You have to be the first woman I know who doesn’t own at least one dress or pair of high heels.”
“Why, are they fetishes of yours or something?”
“Stop being a smart ass, Al. You’ll need something decent to wear to Draft Day.”
“Since when did Team Canada winning a third gold medal qualify you to give fashion advice? I bought a nice pantsuit and dress flats at Saks OFF 5th before leaving New York for that purpose.”
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Troy pulled the garment in question from her closet and made a disapproving face. “I hope you don’t plan to wear this shit.”
“I like the color, it’s comfortable, and the price was a steal, at least by New York standards.”
“Well now you’re in Pittsburgh and need a nice dress.”
“Oh hell no! I came to play hockey, not compete in a damn beauty pageant. Just because you’re used to blonde puck bimbos, socialites, and supermodels–”
He held up a hand. “Stop! Looking part of professional athlete is only the beginning.”
“Good, I can do that in my new pantsuit and flats.”
“No way; I’m having the guy who designs my suits create a nice dress for you. I got measurements from your theatrical portfolio.”
“Oh hey, thanks for not consulting me, dickhead.”
98
“Al, TV cameras are going to be everywhere on Draft Day and it’s important to look professional, especially when you’re selected for a team.”
“Someone seems confident I’
ll be drafted. Do you superstars have psychic gifts or inside knowledge the rest of us lack?”
“No, I still have a feeling something big will happen.” Troy picked up a Chanel shoebox from the bed and pulled off its lid. “What do you think?”
She glanced at the contents. “Are you trying to make me break my neck?”
“The heels are only three inches. Will it kill you to make an effort to look ladylike for a whole day?”
“Exactly how much of my shit did you go through after I unpacked? I swear to God, Troy, if you touched one piece of my underwear–”
“Whoa, even I have limits! Come on; try on these shoes.”
Glaring, Alex kicked off cloth sneakers and socks she wore and slipped on the heels. “These things feel awkward.”
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“You’ll get used to wearing heels. They look nice on you as I imagined.”
She placed the shoes in their box. “Are you sure this isn’t to satisfy some fetish of yours?”
“You’re a funny lady. Now take down your hair.”
“What?”
Come on, Al; I’ve never seen you without a braid, ponytail, or sloppy bun.”
“Prior to me moving here, you only saw me twice while we were in Vancouver,” she reminded him.
“Take down the hair,” Troy said.
“I would’ve stayed in New York had I known in advance what you’re really like.”
“You’ll thank me someday.”
“Now you sound like Papa when he was alive. No thanks; I’ve gotten along without a father figure the last four years.”
100
“Down with the hair.”
She sighed and heeded his request. “There. Are you satisfied?”
“Keep your hair that way more often. You look beautiful.”
“Sure, because I always loved having it in my face.”
“At least keep it down on Draft Day.”
Alex snorted. “Any other input to offer while you’re critiquing my wardrobe and appearance?”
“Yeah, I’ll help you start working out tomorrow morning. No offense, but you’re a little round on the bottom.”
“This coming from the guy with a huge badonkadonk anyone can spot from three city blocks. Unlike you slim-hipped male creatures, we were built to bear young.”
“No excuses, Al; you’ll need both upper and lower body strength to play the game.”
101
“Now I’m convinced you have a secret desire to torture women. What’s for lunch? I could go for a giant burger.”
“Not a good idea. You have a twelve-thirty appointment with my team’s nutritionist.”
“Troy, are you trying to kill me? One cannot live on boiled eggs, dry ass bird food cereal, and fruit alone.”
“No, just pointing you in the right direction. I made great efforts to get this appointment with Janet, so at least take some of her advice.”
“Fine, I’m not the one with more money than sense.”
“I’m only doing this for your own good, Al.”
“Do you drive all your house guests equally insane?”
“I don’t have guests very often…”
“Shit, I wonder why?” Alex asked with a touch of sarcasm.
“We also need to work on that mouth of yours.”
102
“Wait a minute; it’s okay for you to drop the F bomb at random, pitch bitch fits because the Rebels’ playoff season ended early this year, and talk dirty with your buddies, but I can’t say ‘shit’ or speak my mind? Sorry, I don’t believe in double standards. You may as well give up while you’re ahead because there’s no way in hell I’m becoming the dainty proper and reticent type in order to fulfill some little fantasy of yours.”
“Better you learn from me than some hard-hitting PR suits,” Troy said. “Look, once you’re drafted by a team, you become part of their brand. We’re not only about what happens on the ice, but also away from it. No matter who or where we are, there are guarantees that someone’s watching, be it fans, the media, and yes, even haters waiting for someone to mess up in public and provide material for the Internet, TV ratings, or selling papers.”
“Big deal; similar situations happen everywhere and most athletes curse at one time or another.”
103
“Another part of your attitude that needs put to rest. I’m not saying you have to sit by quietly and look pretty, but try to cut down on the sarcasm and smart mouth. Both may have worked in New York, but Pittsburghers tend to be more laid back and put off by what’s viewed as coarse and overbearing behaviors.”
“In other words, you moved me to a city full of wimps.”
“Not exactly; people here are friendly, but they’re not as…aggressive…when dealing with situations they dislike.”
“You mean no one here gets salty when they disapprove of how things are going at work like present company’s been guilty of doing?”
“Whatever happened to the nice West Virginia girl Ms. Mullens told me and Glenn about?”
“That Alex disappeared not long after I arrived in New York, hence loss of my former hackneyed accent through acting and vocal lessons. By the way, I like yours. Think you can give me a refresher course on all things Canadian?”
104
“Maybe some other day; right now we need to move if you’re going to make the nutritionist’s appointment on time.”
“Has anyone ever said you’re a pain in the ass?”
“All twenty-seven years of my life. Come on, grab your stuff and put on some shoes. I’m ready to leave.”
***
105
Chapter 22
Glenn contacted Troy the week following Alex’s arrival in Pittsburgh. “How are things progressing with your latest protégé?”
Troy groaned. “Some days I regret the decision of moving her in with me.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Let’s see, where shall I begin? Al insisted on wearing a hideous pantsuit on Draft Day until I somehow talked her out of it. Glenn, the woman didn’t own a single dress until my tailor made her one, and don’t get me started on some of her strange eating habits.”
“Not everyone eats peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at five o’clock, Troy.”
106
“That’s not what I meant. Al has to be the only girl I’ve met in my lifetime who ate a whole bag of peanut M&M’s and washed them down with Diet Pepsi less than an hour following a nutritionist’s appointment. Then she bitched at me the other morning because I don’t keep coffee in my house. I think she secretly enjoys pissing me off.”
“You’re not going to transform Alexandra in a week. She has habits and rituals like anyone else, but it’s okay to cut her slack in some areas. Nobody said she needs turned into a female version of you.”
“I’m not trying to make her my mirror image. If she’s going to be part of the Rebels, there are a lot of important areas on which she needs to be kept up to speed.”
“You didn’t tell her about Halloran being–” Glenn began.
“No,” Troy cut him off. “Only that I predicted something big may happen at the draft.”
“Good. I know you’re excited, but we have to keep your boss’ interest in Alexandra under wraps for at least two more weeks.”
107
“I won’t make any guarantees Al will be totally Rebels-worthy civilized by then, especially after this morning. All she wants to do is argue when I make any suggestions.”
“Why, what happened?”
“I planned to sleep in on the rare off day I had, but instead got a rude awakening to her running the vacuum cleaner early this morning. ‘Al, it’s eight-thirty. What are you doing?’ I asked. ‘Cleaning up,’ she said. ‘Cleaning up what, for Christ’s sake? The housekeeper just came yesterday.’ ‘It’s the least I could do for my room and board, Troy.’ Jesus, Glenn; when I say anything to her about room and board or doing chores?”
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