Troy grunted in response.
Lenny and Vince wordlessly nodded.
“Long as I’m in charge of booze,” Marty teased.
“You’d be the last person I’d elect for bartender, O’Freel,” Pierre said.
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“Your loss, Germaine.”
The team plane was announced as ready to board and everyone gathered their belongings. Lenny, Vince, Hank, and Marty laughed and talked among themselves, Johann and Davy checked on Pierre’s headache, and Alex and Jax walked hand in hand.
Troy lagged behind the others, his head hung low. He found a seat on the plane far from everyone else and closed his eyes.
Sleep eventually overtook him, but what he really wanted was to lock himself away from the world and have a good cry.
***
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Chapter 100
Alex and Jax’s surprise wedding made headlines in both sports and mainstream media. Gossip message boards came alive with theories and speculations, mostly how Alex accomplished something Jax’s past love interests hadn’t: getting him down the aisle.
Does anyone wonder if he’s going broke again from gambling and married her for money?
No way! He quit that shit years ago after his last debt leaked to the press.
How about a little Ivanka on the way?
Y’all could be right; Alex does look like she gained a little weight.
That may explain why the Rebels higher-ups never specified a reason for her inactive status. That and the sudden wedding all make sense now.
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Guess we’ll know for sure in upcoming weeks.
Their rings are nice. Look like Cartier. Wish there were more pictures from Vegas.
Yeah, but maybe no other Rebels attended or the chapel didn’t allow cameras. Oh well.
What’s Alex going to call herself, Alex Galloway-Ivanka or Alex Ivanka?
No law says she has to take Jax’s name, but Galloway-Ivanka would be interesting to see on a jersey!
Alex logged off the computer and pinched the bridge of her nose. Fatigue crept through her body after a long afternoon of razzing from teammates, holding press conferences arranged by the Rebels’ PR staff, and granting interviews. Mostly, she still worried about Troy.
He’d isolated himself from everyone and remained silent during the entire flight to Pittsburgh, barely acknowledging her with a few grunts. She noticed redness around his eyes, weariness that etched his face, and sparkle extinguished from his eyes.
I hope Troy doesn’t try anything stupid. I would never forgive myself if something happened.
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Alex dialed Troy’s number while Jax swam in their indoor pool downstairs.
“What?” he groggily answered.
“I wanted to make sure you got home okay,” she replied without preamble.
“Shouldn’t you spend time with your new husband?”
“Troy, I consider you one of my closest friends and concerned about you.”
“Save your strength; I’m fine.”
“You don’t sound fine and didn’t act that way on the plane.”
“I’m tired, Al. Can’t people leave me alone for five fucking minutes?”
Maybe I should call Byron. Troy always listens to him or Boris. “I’m sorry.”
“For what, falling into bed and getting knocked up by the first guy who smiled at you? Why not just get passed around the locker room?”
“Troy!”
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His voice broke. “I should’ve been the one, Al.”
“I know,” she soothingly replied, “and you would have if I’d known your intentions before I talked to Jax. You and Davy are still the baby’s godfathers.”
“Yeah…I almost forgot.”
“We have the next two days off. Go enjoy them with some of your buddies. Chase girls, play shuffleboard, ice skate or whatever else guys in their late twenties do. Be normal; there’s more to life than hockey.”
“I haven’t done much of anything normal since age two.”
“No time like the present. You need to get out more.”
“Don’t even think about fixing me up with one of your friends.”
“I hoped you’d bring a lady of your own. Surely you have other female pals besides me. What about Kelly?”
“No thanks; she got on my last nerve at the Center Ice benefit.”
“Okay, then another guy. Maybe Boris?”
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“His parents and Lulu are visiting for the season. Jesus, Al, being alone for a couple days won’t kill me. I might actually get some shit done.”
“Like what? You’re seldom home when not at practice, doing appearances, or running the Young Rebels clinics.”
“I could clean my closets.”
“Your closets and drawers already look like an upscale men’s store. You’re the only guy I know who organizes his shirts, socks, and suits by color.”
“Easier to find what I need.”
“I wish you’d be equally diligent with your jock strap.”
“Hey, that thing’s brought me good luck since I was eight, lady.”
“Troy, it’s disgusting. Get a new one, for God’s sake.”
“Sure, for my funeral.”
Alex laughed. “You’re weird!”
“That’s already common knowledge, Al.”
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“Alex!” Jax bellowed from downstairs. “Are you joining me in the pool or bullshitting with your friends all day?”
She sighed. “I’m being summoned and need to hang up. See you at practice Monday morning?”
“At my usual place and time.”
“Troy?”
“Yeah, shorty?”
“Take care of yourself.”
His voice broke again. “I’ll do my best.”
***
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Chapter 101
Several months passed since Alex’s Las Vegas marriage to Jax followed by a casual reception hosted by Pierre and Patti Germaine in Pittsburgh. There was now no question Alex was pregnant; the baby long since began to show. She contended with big belly jokes and her expanding middle patted by friends, colleagues, and random strangers.
Legionnaire’s disease spread to epidemic proportions throughout several American Hockey Conference teams in the interim, prompting AHC officials to cancel subsequent games until the disease’s source was pinpointed and eradicated.
Jax used some of the unexpected spare time for a Czech Republic trip, an almost last-minute plan that irritated Alex. When she voiced her protests, he countered in no uncertain terms he was man of the house and there was no better time before the baby’s birth to introduce her to his family.
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Alex’s nagging thoughts of whether or not she married Jax too hastily returned tenfold after they arrived in Prague.
Her in-laws accepted her only grudgingly, not pleased to have their son marry a woman they thought became pregnant to claim shares of Jax’s hard-earned assets despite having a dispensable income of her own. Viktor and Isla Ivanka would’ve preferred their son married a traditional and conservative Czech woman closer to his age instead of the outspoken American career girl in her early twenties, but there it was.
The elder Ivankas scarcely believed Jax had chosen to wed in a tacky Las Vegas commercial establishment instead of having a religious ceremony in a church celebrating his Christian Orthodox roots. They worried, but most of all, they wanted him to be happy.
Jiva Hrdina initially did not care for her new sister-in-law. She loved her baby brother and disappointed with what she viewed as an unfortunate marriage. Alex and Jax’s disagreements often chafed Jiva, making her wonder why the woman wasn’t schooled in what Jiva believed made a proper wife.
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Jiva’s eldest daughter viewed Alex as more a peer than her uncle’s bride. Unlike Jax’s other relatives, Pavla Hrdina made efforts to know Alex better. She had viewed Jax’s previous girlfriends with contempt and
perceived they only used him as a stepping stone in their modeling careers. On the other hand, Alex was down to earth, successful on her own, likable, and didn’t care about his money or fame. Pavla vowed to spend more time with her new aunt and make her feel welcome.
The other Ivanka-Hrdina family members eventually followed Pavla’s lead once they learned Alex willingly signed a pre-nup agreement, admitting she was a kind and respectable young woman who looked forward to her and Jax’s first child. Her in-laws found Alex more endearing when she spoke only Czech in their households and was eager to let Isla teach her to cook the dishes Jax enjoyed in his childhood.
While she loved everything about Prague, Alex remained adamant her baby would be born in the United States, possibly one of few times Jax deferred to her. Alex’s primary physician and obstetrician were in America, as were many of her friends and teammates. Jax’s family wasn’t happy with her decision, but respected it nevertheless.
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She and Jax visited Ostrava during their stay in the Czech Republic, a city set to host the following year’s International Hockey Tournament. Jax long retired from the Czech team but currently mulled over an offer to train and coach them for the annual ice hockey event. Alex grew excited and encouraged him to accept.
“You wouldn’t mind?” he asked.
“You’re man of the house, remember?” she replied in a joking manner. “Of course I won’t mind. You have over twenty years’ on-ice experience, own most shares in the Prague hockey league, and think of bragging rights the young talent will have from playing on a team coached by the legendary Jax Ivanka.”
“Maybe I could teach you the finer points of coaching.”
“Jax, this is your project and time to shine. I have plenty to do without adding something else, especially right before the baby’s due.”
“Then after it’s born. When will you know what’s we’re having?”
Alex grinned at him. “I see you’re still hoping for a son.”
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He shrugged. “We need to know what else to buy for the kid’s room.”
“Right. I should learn something at my next sonogram appointment. Want to come with me?”
“Let me check my schedule.”
“For God’s sake, the AHC’s shut down for who knows how long. We have time to pursue other interests until the Commission discovers where Legionnaire’s disease originated.”
“Now you know why I didn’t want you coming to games. I couldn’t take chances on you being exposed to airborne bacteria and it reaching the baby. I was isolated for a week having tests before being cleared. Unfortunately, Beaumont, Walton and Stover weren’t so lucky.”
“They got Legionnaire’s disease?”
“All showed symptoms after we returned from Philadelphia. Fucking figures.”
“Wait, didn’t Johann get sick after a road game against Philly during last year’s meningitis outbreak?”
“Yeah, and it nearly killed the kid. Someone should rename that place Filthydelphia.”
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His comment made Alex laugh. “I think they take the whole ‘brotherly love’ thing seriously enough to include sharing diseases.”
“No kidding! By the way, your friend Caldwell sends his congratulations on the pregnancy.”
“That’s sweet of Claude. Troy would shit himself if he knew. How is he doing?”
“Talmadge? Last I heard he was shacked away with Brady and his family somewhere in North Carolina.”
Thank you Byron. “Wow, I figured he’d head back to Yarmouth to spend time with his parents and Louise.”
“Nah, Brady said Talmadge could use some fresh air and peace.” Jax checked his watch. “We have a three-hour trip back to Prague and should drive home for dinner before heading to the airport. Maminka doesn’t like delaying mealtimes unless absolutely necessary.”
***
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Chapter 102
Troy leisurely rowed his small boat to a dock near the Bradys’ secluded residence. He brushed off Byron’s offer to join him in North Carolina for well-earned relaxation and tranquility during the AHC Legionnaire’s disease lockdown at first, but was now grateful he changed his mind.
Few people lived in the vicinity. The Bradys’ closest neighbor was located two miles north and trips to and from the grocery store took an hour each way. Troy relished the absence of invasive reporters and photographers, jersey chasers, and the never-ending parade of strangers pawing him. Troy loved the fans and often reminded himself he’d be nowhere without them, but was sometimes irked by their constant invasion of his personal space and watching every move he made.
Byron was right; the calming atmosphere soothed Troy and provided him with much-needed rest. The emotional pain of Alex and Jax’s marriage gradually dissipated over the last few months; Troy no longer cried himself to sleep each night and once again was able to form rational thoughts.
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He was further cheered by news of Davy’s engagement to actress Jennifer Barton and asked Troy to be best man at their nuptials.
“Have you set a date?”
“Not yet,” Davy replied, “but Jen’s thinking next fall before the Rebels’ regular season starts. We’re marrying in New York and honeymooning in London.”
“Did you tell your families yet?”
“Yeah, both our parents can’t wait for the big day. Next thing you know they’ll be nagging us to have ankle biters.”
“Take your time and enjoy each other first,” Troy advised.
“Just a heads up; Alex will be Jen’s matron of honor.”
“I’ve long overcome the emotional hell from her marrying Jax. Preacher bringing me to North Carolina did more good than I initially thought.”
“A lot of people were concerned about your well-being. Some heard rumors that you’d gone barmy and had some kind of meltdown.”
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“Preacher’s no shrink, but I think he was onto something when he brought me here. Jesus, Davy, you should see the place. I can’t think of a better description than being a close second to paradise.”
“Guess we can both thank whoever brought Legionnaire’s disease into our midst.”
“Well it’s not much fun for the affected guys, but the rest of us needed breaks.”
“Especially you, mate. I know losing Alex to Ivanka was hard on you. My steady lass of three years took off with some rich chap right before the Winter Olympics and I pined a long time for her until moving to the States. For us to go through personal drama and still play hockey takes a lot of character and heart. People joke about hockey robots, but we’re people who deal with bloody messes like everyone else.”
“Jennifer has helped put your head on straight.”
“She’s a dream come true. I haven’t heard you sound cheery in ages.”
“I’ve done some thinking between Preacher’s kids terrorizing me,” Troy said lightheartedly.
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“Ah, but you love the tots. No one would need much convincing once they’ve seen you interact with little lads and lassies.”
“Kids tend to put life in perspective and I want to see them happy.”
“You’ll make a great pater someday, mate.”
“All I need is the right woman. I had one right in my grasp but let her slip away.” Troy paused for a moment. “Have you…have you talked to Al lately? How’s she doing?”
“Big round tummy; she and Ivanka are having a little lassie. She worried about you until Ivanka and I said you went to North Carolina with Preacher.”
“We’re getting a goddaughter, huh?”
“Looks that way, but no spoiling the tot silly when she arrives.”
Power Play Page 36