Power Play

POWER PLAY

L. Anne Carrington

Palm Tree Books

Tampa

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

All characters and events in this book are fictional; any resemblances to actual persons or events are purely coincidental.

‘Power Play’ is copyright of its author, L. Anne Carrington, 2015.

“Champions are champions not because they do anything extraordinary but because they do the ordinary things better than anyone else.”
—
Chuck Noll (1932-2014),
former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach 

“You are what you think. If you think and you know that you can make it, then you are going to make it.”
—
Jeff Reed (1979- ), former NFL placekicker and two-time Super Bowl champion

***

“In this jersey, I promise to play for the logo on the front, not the name on the back.”

“I wouldn’t change anything I’m doing, to be honest with you. I’m working hard. I’m doing my best. If people’s expectations are higher than mine, then I can’t change that.”

“
When I’m practicing, I think I’m pretty focused, and I spend a lot of energy on making sure I get better, but once I’m outside the rink, I think, like anyone else, I like to enjoy everything that everyone else does.”

—
Sidney Crosby (1987–), Pittsburgh Penguins captain

Books by L. Anne Carrington

Power Play Series:

On Ice: Power Play Book 2 (coming 2016)

Power Play

The Cruiserweight
Series:

The Cruiserweight

The Cruiserweight’s Daughter

Klass Act

The Marilyn Diaries

Other　Fiction:

Rise

Fifty

Nonfiction:

Billy Kidman: The Shooting Star

Life Subject To Change

Prologue

Hitting an important championship goal rested on Alex’s shoulders; the Rebels faced one of their strongest opponents in the Princeton Trophy’s deciding game. Whether her team would win big or fade into the dreaded second place no one would remember would be determined if she got the puck past Washington Wildings goaltender Foster Kingston…or not.

Alex hated overtime, but the game was still tied at two goals apiece after regulation. She stood almost frozen and looked at her teammates for some type of sign.

Coach Dean Barry stared back with a frown, wondering whether her shot would successfully pass the blue line.

Forward Davy St. Cloud, who scored both goals in regulation for the Rebels, and right winger Brian Donahue gave her thumbs-up signs.

Defenseman Byron Brady said a silent prayer.

Second alternate captain Lenny Walton, defenseman Marty O’Freel and left winger Vince Beaumont all glared at her with “You have one job” expressions on their faces.

Hank Stover, Travis Vanderhoven, and first alternate captain Boris Furishnykov gave her encouraging nods.

Her longtime friends Jennifer and Phyllis sat behind the glass holding their breaths as Jennifer balanced a squirmy Anna on her lap.

Alex then spotted Troy mouthing the words she heard many times before: “Whatever it takes, we’ll walk together. Go for it!”

She turned back, skated past her opponents, and gave Kingston a determined stare. She
needed
to get that damn puck into the net, one way or another…

***

PART ONE:

Alex

“We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort. “

—
Jesse Owens

1

Chapter 1

“Auditions suck!” Alex complained to theatrical agent Doris Mullens. “I thought for sure this one would fall in my lap. Two of the role’s specifications were proficiencies in doing a New York accent and ballroom dancing. You’d think I’d been a perfect fit.”

“Of course, dear,” Doris replied, “but why did Sinclair Grover pass on you?”

“The same reason almost everyone else does. I’m too short for the role’s physical qualities! I could see if this was a biography film or something, but it’s based on a novel with no mention of the character’s height. Sometimes I hate people and wonder why I came to New York to pursue acting at all.”

“You can’t give up your dream, Alexandra. The biggest stars started right where you currently are.”

“Sure, but most of them were well past five feet tall. Are there
any
decent roles for short people?”

2

“Not many come across my desk, but I have two more casting notices where you already have experience: a motion picture needs extras and an Off-Broadway show seeks singers for their latest production’s chorus.”

A loud groan escaped Alex’s lips. “Doris, you’re killing me. My father didn’t work three jobs to pay for all my lessons and let me move from Morgantown to play Girl #199 in some douchebag’s movies or sing backup in plays no one gives a shit about. I’ve done more than enough of both.”

“Well, I do have a bathroom tissue commercial…”

“Fine, I can try that one, though not sure how many housewives I’ll convince to buy a specific brand.”

“Whatever pays the bills, Alexandra; I know the perfect role for you exists somewhere. We just haven’t yet found it.”

“I hope something happens soon, because I only have $2,500 left in the bank from Papa’s life insurance and living here is expensive as hell. Living with three other almost broke actors and eating boxed mac and cheese or Ramen noodles for dinner almost every night aren’t cutting it.”

3

“Patience, young lady; I’ll keep out an eye for more suitable roles. Meanwhile, keep me posted on that commercial audition.”

***

4

Chapter 2

“We could do phone sex as night jobs,” Alex’s roommate, Jennifer Barton, suggested.

“Are you nuts?” she asked. “Last thing I want to do is waste time talking to old perverts who can’t get laid in real life. I dealt with enough freaks in West Virginia.”

“At least doing this will make paying bills easier and I won’t have to beg my folks for money every month between gigs. Not only do phone sex banks not care what their operators look like, but will also leave us open during the day for auditions. The pay is good too.”

“Well, at least call first and find out what we have to do before either of us commits to anything.”

Jennifer tore an ad from the newspaper. “I’ll call in the morning before my Off-Broadway audition. Hey, how did you do on the toilet paper thing?”

5

Alex rolled her eyes and sighed. “I got a part with one whole line.”

“That’s awesome!”

“Sure, if you want to be remembered as a girl emerging from the bathroom holding a roll of TP while exclaiming how it’s so soft and fluffy. I’m sick of these lame-ass roles.”

“Lame or not, at least Doris helps you get some. I doubt Randy Powers does anything but stare at my boobs and pick things at random he knows I won’t land.”

“I can put in a good word for you when I see her tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Alex; Randy’s giving me the fucking creeps and I’m ready to go elsewhere. Is there any chicken ramen left?”

“Check the cupboard above the microwave; that is, if Beau didn’t eat the rest of it.”

“I hope he didn’t. Ugh, he and Greg are such pigs sometimes.”

6

“For what it’s worth, it’s Greg’s turn to do grocery shopping this weekend. Rest assured he’ll follow through unless he wants to starve.”

“We should buy our own food and hide it from the guys,” Jennifer called from the kitchen.

“The thought crossed my mind many times, but neither of us currently has the funds to replenish when needed. Then again, I do have a check due from that last Off-Broadway job…”

“I’m owed for the shampoo commercial I recently did! Let’s put our money together and start a stash!”

“Best idea I’ve heard all day,” Alex replied.

“God damn fucking Beau!” Jennifer exclaimed.

“Please tell me he didn’t eat all the ramen, Jen.”

“He left one half of a lousy pack! At least the guys didn’t find our tuna fish. Where’s the bread?”

“In the fridge; keeps it from turning green right away.”

“The hell with this; if I’m going to blow the last twenty in my wallet, it may as well be for ice cream. Want to join me? I’ll even spring for peanut M&M’s.”

7

Alex smiled at her. “You had me at peanut M&M’s. I’ll put on some shoes.”

***

8

Chapter 3

“Alexandra!” Doris cheerfully greeted her. “I have a couple new offers for you.”

“Let me guess,” Alex replied as she flopped into a chair across from the agent’s desk. “They’re Off-Broadway chorus lines, movie extra castings or TV walk-ons.”

“You’re such a pessimist.”

“No, Doris; I prefer the term realist. What do you have?”

“Well, you were right about one thing; an Off-Broadway casting director is seeking chorus girls five foot four and under for their new show.”

“Pass. I’ve done enough Off-Broadway chorus and background crap to last me a lifetime. What’s the other offer?”

“This one will definitely pique some interest, given both your experience in ice hockey and French being one of three foreign languages you speak. Are you aware of a docudrama about the Vancouver Venus being cast?”