Power Play
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“Well I’m not disciplined as you and Jax are.”
“Stick with us long enough and you will be.”
“I hope so; something tells me keeping up with a human dynamo like Jax won’t be an easy task after we’re married.”
“Can you imagine the guy another ten years? We’re discussing someone who wants to stay in the AHC until he’s fifty.”
“I don’t see a problem if he’s still healthy. What about you? Will you still whack the biscuit and light the lamp at forty?”
Troy shook his head. “I’ll probably hang up my skates before then. Hey, while we’re talking about future plans, I hear you and Jax oversee a hockey franchise in Prague.”
“Yes; the team almost went bankrupt before Jax bought a considerable portion of it. Another guy and I are co-owners, but the biggest share belongs to Jax.”
“Did you ever think about investing in an AHC franchise?”
“Troy, does this pertain to rumors Mr. Halloran may sell his share of the Rebels?”
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“Yeah, I’m worried other shareholders may move the Rebels to another city if Jon decides to sell. I love Pittsburgh, Al. I’ll take a fucking early retirement before participating in an organization turning its back on the city that played a huge role in bringing us where we are today.”
“So you may put in an offer?” Alex asked. “Troy, we’re talking millions. I know you earn an outstanding salary, done tons of endorsements, and have investments of your own, but–”
“Hold up, shorty. I’m only thinking about the idea right now. Jon and I have been close for the last decade, so there’s a good chance you and I could buy out his share for practically a steal if he does decide to sell.”
“I’ll have to think over things and talk with my lawyer. I don’t want to deal with possible conflicts of interest. I may sell back my part of the Prague team to Jax if you and I plan to invest in the Rebels.”
“Good idea; it wouldn’t hurt either of us to further explore our options. Now let’s go kick some ass at poker. Maybe some winnings could be put toward our next possible endeavor.”
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“In your dreams, Troy,” Alex replied and slipped her arm in his. “In your dreams.”
***
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Chapter 90
Alex sat near the glass during morning practice slightly tired from the previous night’s poker game. She watched her teammates with longing and admiration as they shot pucks across the ice or worked on planned strategies for that night’s game. Jax often stopped between drills to check on Alex to the point he began grating her nerves.
“Will you calm down and concentrate on practicing?” she scolded him at one point. “Jsem těhotná, Jax, není neplatná.”
“Vypadáš unaveně. Bojím se o vás a dítě.”
“Believe me, you’d be the first to know if anything was wrong.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Now get back to drills before Coach Barry has a stroke and you drive me insane.”
He gave her a mock salute. “As you wish, dear lady.”
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“What’s his problem?” a voice asked.
Alex turned and spotted her old roommate behind her. “Jen, what a pleasant surprise!”
“Davy invited me to practice after we had breakfast. Mind if I join you?”
“I could use the company. Jax has been an annoyance all morning.”
Jennifer leaned in and lowered her voice to a near-whisper. “He’s the father?”
“Yeah and seems to think I’ll die if he doesn’t bother me every ten minutes. I’m surprised Coach Barry hasn’t yet read him the riot act.”
“You could be worse off, Alex. Some guys would’ve either pushed for an abortion or beaten a path to parts unknown once they learned of a pregnancy.”
“Most people know my stand on abortion, and I’d nevertheless kept the baby.”
“How would you have managed raising a child alone with your hockey career?”
“The same way practically every working mother does.”
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“I couldn’t imagine having kids left with strangers while I’m at work. There are too many stories out there about pedophiles and abusive caregivers.”
“That was one of my first concerns, but inadvertently learned yesterday I would’ve had few – if any – worries after all.”
“What do you mean?”
“I heard Troy and Pierre talking in French during our flight and didn’t take long for me to discover Troy revealed my pregnancy. He told Pierre at one point about wanting to marry me and adopting the baby if Jax didn’t step up.”
“Only a real man would accept such major responsibility, Alex.”
“Knowing Troy would do something like that made me respect him more than I do. How many guys does either of us know would willingly adopt and raise another man’s child?”
“None come to mind for me,” Jennifer replied.
“Same here.”
“Would you get mad if I asked a question?”
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“No, ask away.”
“Do you love him?”
“Troy? Yes, as a mentor, friend, and teammate.”
“I meant your baby’s father.”
“Not ‘in love’ in the traditional sense, but–”
“So why get married?”
“I care about him, Jen. Jax wants to do everything feasible to stay in our child’s life and provide a stable future for him or her.”
“You’re making a serious commitment by marrying him, Alex. You originally planned to raise the baby alone with Troy willing to help.”
“Yes, but only if Jax remained completely out of the picture.”
“I still don’t feel comfortable with your decision, but if you feel that’s the best thing then I’ll always be here whether or not things work.”
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“Thank you, Jen. How is everything with you and Davy?”
“I think he’s the best thing that happened to me! I know lots of models and actresses date athletes but never thought I’d be as fortunate, especially landing a prize like Davy St. Cloud.”
“Several non-American men seem to have an air of class about them.”
“He’s the epitome of an English gentleman. I almost didn’t know how to react to someone not making a pass at me on the first date!”
Alex grinned. “I told you he wasn’t the handsy type.”
“Oh, while we’re discussing men, I almost forgot to mention Beau moved to Florida.”
“When and why?”
“He left about three weeks ago to accept a steady gig in Miami. The money was supposedly too good to turn down.”
“Tell me he didn’t revert to working the ‘entertainment for women’ club circuit. I know acting jobs are hard to get, but–”
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“No way! He’s the new spokesman for some big time travel agency.”
“Wow, funny how at least two of us had to leave New York to find career satisfaction. Any luck for Greg job wise?”
Jennifer nodded. “He’s doing TV voiceover work. As for me, Office Girls 2 filming wraps next week.”
“You better invite me to the premiere, lady.”
“I can do better. Mr. Francis requested your presence.”
“Send me a firm date and I’ll make the effort to attend. I’m out rest of the season, so it isn’t like I need to work my schedule around the Rebels unless booked for an appearance or something.”
“I shall let him know at the wrap party.”
“I never realized how much I missed acting until we started talking about everyone’s latest gigs. So I guess Phyllis is once again single?”
“Yeah, and she’s thrown herself into spokesmodel work since her Broadway run wrapped, so men are the last thing on her mind.”
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“Too bad; I know another single player in mind who may click with her. See if Phyllis can come to the ga
me tonight. I’ll vouch for her.”
“My God, you’re becoming a regular Dolly Levi. Phyllis is traveling to Pittsburgh next week for some convention.”
“Hmmmm, the Rebels’ Casino Night benefit also happens to be next week. Troy’s taking me as his date and working one of the gambling tables. I’ll greet people at the entrance.”
“Alex, stop giving me a headache! You’re marrying one guy yet going to a benefit with someone else?”
“Troy asked long before I knew I was pregnant.”
“When’s the wedding?”
“Three days afterward.”
“You’re wasting little time.”
“The image of me getting married with a huge gut isn’t exactly appealing and it’s only a matter of time before I start showing.”
“Does Jax’s family know about the baby?”
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“They all live in Prague and he never mentioned telling them. I guess he plans to wait until after we’re married.”
“Are you nervous about meeting his family?”
“A little.”
Davy skated up to the glass. “Are you lasses gossiping about me? My ears are itching!”
“No, but we’ve found a few teammates equally fascinating,” Jennifer said.
“Do you know if Reggie has plans after the game?” Alex asked.
“Either he’ll be at some pub drowning his loneliness in ale or raiding the room’s overpriced honor bar.”
“Tell him to hang with us. I may have someone else coming he’ll want to meet.”
“Oh, Alex, you cheeky lass; is fixing up unattached lads with your friends one way to spend maternity leave?”
“Everyone deserves some degree of happiness, Davy.”
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“In that case, you may want to work harder on our captain. He doesn’t show it much, but I can tell he’s been gutted since Ivanka got you in the family way.”
“Troy can walk out of the arena and pick almost any girl he wants or call up the model – not Kelly Stafford but some other girl – he’s had on a string for years. He’ll be fine.”
“I don’t know, love. Seems his fire has long gone to ashes and the team’s last three losses didn’t help matters. I know hockey’s always been life for the chap, but he’s become more of an obsessed workaholic than usual.”
I know; sports journalists are starting to notice a similar pattern. “Maybe I can invite him to join us after the game,” Alex said.
“Worth a shot. Meanwhile I’ll have a chat with Reggie after practice. See you lasses tonight!”
***
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Chapter 91
Troy prepared to leave after the media departed following another Rebels loss. He appeared downtrodden and lost in thought when Alex appeared in the doorway.
“Hey you.”
Startled, he jumped. “Jesus, Al, you scared the shit out of me!”
“Sorry.”
“I thought you were going out with Reggie, Davy, and your girlfriends.”
“Yes, but I’d like you to come with us.”
“Shouldn’t you instead ask Jax?”
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“Troy, you know he works out after games.”
“Are you sure you’ll tolerate his beast mode habits after the wedding?”
“Jax has done far worse things. Come on; let’s go out for a while. I can see you could use the distraction.”
“I suppose a couple more hours away from the hotel won’t hurt.”
“You haven’t seemed yourself lately. You don’t smile as much and I miss your goofy laugh. I’m not the only one who’s noticed. Want to talk?”
“A lot of things are on my mind.”
“I can tell.”
“The latter part of our season sucks, as you’re well aware.”
“We lost the last four games, big deal. The Rebels always had slumps only to eventually make the playoffs, but something tells me there’s a lot more weighing on your mind than hockey.”
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“Nothing earth-shattering, Al.” How am I supposed to feel knowing I’ll lose you forever after Casino Night next week?
“What happened to us being open and honest with one another?”
“What else is there left for me to say?” Troy snapped.
Alex put up her hands and turned to leave. “Fine.”
“Al, wait. I’m sorry. We’re both dealing with important issues and I shouldn’t burden you.”
“I care about you, Troy, and never viewed you as a burden despite our past conflicts. Sometimes I think you’re harder on yourself than you ever were on me the entire time we’ve known each other.”
“Some habits are harder to break than others.”
“I know you well enough to see some things more than ‘habits.’ You guys played your hearts out tonight to the final second but didn’t have what it took. Sometimes the other team is just better and there isn’t a lot anyone can do. No one expects every single game to end in a win. The Rebels I followed for years before becoming a member never once gave up, quit on each other, got too frustrated, or acted like idiots. We’re a team with pride, a team that’s easy to love, and a team easy for fans to forgive.”
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“Wow, I never expected to hear that kind of speech from you.”
“I learned from the best.”
Troy hid a grin. “Jax taught you well.”
“Stop!” Alex replied with a laugh. “I meant you.”
“Give yourself some credit, Al. You’ve come a long way this season even if we are currently in the shitter.”
“I wish I could help, but power plays, slap shots, and making goals aren’t compatible with pregnancy.”
“The important thing for you is having a healthy kid, shorty. One person can’t carry a team, something of which I also find myself reminding Pierre quite often.”
“He was in fine form tonight.”
“I totally agree. No, it’s the same guys making the same mistakes. We need to get our shit together before even thinking about playoff chances in the near future.”
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“We still have plenty of time to turn around our season. In the meantime, you need to get everything hockey off the brain. Come on, you goober; let’s go tear up the town.”
***
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Chapter 92
Casino Night buzzed with activity long before doors opened to the public. Several staff members rushed through corridors and gambling areas performing last-minute details. Team members appeared dapper in white shirts, silver vests and ties, and ebony trousers finished with coordinating footwear. Name tags and red rose boutonnières were pinned to each player’s vest.
Alex felt slightly nauseous as final touches were applied to her hair and makeup. She dressed in a silver sheath topped with a white bolero trimmed in black piping, checking the mirror several times for any indication of a “baby bump” before sliding her feet into a pair of silver ballet flats.
An assistant just finished pinning Alex’s corsage and name tag on her bolero when someone tapped on the door.
“Come in!” she called, expecting Troy as the visitor.
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Jax stepped inside, his eyes sparkling. “Jsi krásná.”
Alex turned and greeted him with a bright smile. “Tak dobrý večer i vám, hezký.”
“Do you need anything else, Miss Galloway?” the assistant asked.