Power Play (22 page)

260

“You’ll soon adjust to everything. I shared a flat with four mates while working in Trafalgar Square and playing amateur hockey. Then Troy had me brought to America to play for the Rebels. As you can see, I acclimated well.”

“Don’t you miss your family?”

“Only during hockey season, but I call home at least once a week and spend summers with my parents in London. Mum’s cooking brings me back every time.”

“Well at least one good woman’s looking after you.”

“Yeah, I’m one lucky bloke. How are you enjoying the city so far?”

“I had a hard time adjusting at first, but now like it here. Troy keeps warning me about people, but fans have been no less than welcoming.”

“You’ve become the team’s most fascinating player since he arrived ten years ago.”

“I only hope our fan base notices my skills more than the connection with Troy. I don’t exactly relish the thought of becoming a topic for gossip rags and web sites.”

261

“Don’t worry, love; I went through similar situations when I was in your position. Everything takes time.” Davy gave her a reassuring smile. “Now how about some coffee and sweets? I’m buying.”

***

262

Chapter 45

“My buddy Mark told me he saw a bunch of guys at your place all weekend,” Troy thundered before Monday morning skate. “Christ, you’re not completely out of my house and already going wild.”

Alex gave him one of her ‘are-you-serious?’ stares. “Before you get your jockstrap in a twist, those ‘bunch of guys’ were Davy and Reggie’s friends, all who helped me move.”

“Mark said Ivanka was there too.”

She rolled her eyes. “Your friends need to mind their own damn business. Jax stopped on his way home from working out and helped with heavier stuff. What’s with you complaining today? Are you still pissed about me missing goals this past weekend?”

263

“No, Al. I don’t want people drawing wrong conclusions and gossiping, especially since the PR team is making efforts to market you with a clean image.”

“Troy, just because I’m living on my own doesn’t automatically mean I’ll adopt a hedonistic lifestyle. If you’re worried about me holding wild parties or hanging out in bars, rest assured neither will happen. You’ve known me long enough to understand the partying nightlife, getting drunk in public, and picking up strange men are not my style.”

“Things are going to be lonely at home without you.”

“You somehow managed before I came from New York, and I’m sure lots of pretty girls will volunteer to take my place.”

“Jesus, now you sound like Boris and Preacher.” He gave her a quick hug. “No one could ever replace you.”

“I’m twenty-five minutes from your house, yet you’re acting like I moved to another country. We’ll see each other at games and practices, and I’m always available when you need a date.”

264

“You’d still like my company?”

“Of course; I’ll always make time for my favorite cute and charming goober. I don’t put anyone in the first slot of my speed dial, you know.”

“
I’m
number one on your speed dial?”

“Only my best people in the first three slots. What are you doing for the Center Ice dinner dance benefit next Friday night?”

Troy stared at the floor and awkwardly shuffled his feet. “Uh…I’ve already made arrangements to bring someone.”

Her eyes widened.
You take me to casual places and your hangouts, yet haven’t escorted me to one Rebels benefit. Then you pitch a fit because some guys helped me move?
“Anyone I know?”

“Kelly Stafford. She’s a model and done some TV spots.”

Big surprise; another tall blonde.
“Oh, yeah; I’ve seen her on a few commercials. I’ll stop and say hi to you guys.”

265

“You’re okay with me taking someone else?” Troy asked.

Alex barely kept the ice out of her voice. “Sure, you’re a grown man and can do whatever you like.”

“You’re going alone?”

“Looks that way unless Davy’s added to the list of guys appearing.”

“Oh yes, that dapper little English fellow. Good show, lass!” Troy replied in a mock British accent.

Alex gave him a playful shove. “He’s my best friend!”

“You couldn’t pick a better guy for your BFF.”

“Davy looks up to you, not that I blame him. He’d probably still be working in Trafalgar Square between amateur games if your teams hadn’t faced each other in the Olympic finals.”

“You two are going to give me a big head. Al, I’m sorry for riding you about the missed goals. I wasn’t perfect my rookie year either. I’m still not.”

266

“You’re forgiven, my captain.”

“Are you free for lunch?” he asked as they headed to morning skate.

Why not ask your blonde? She’s good enough to take to the Center Ice benefit, why not lunch?
“Sure.”

“Cool, we’ll leave after I meet with Coach.”

“Sounds good to me.”

Another plan unhatched in Alex’s mind and she hoped everything worked out.

***

Coach Dean Barry implemented the idea of adding music to the Rebels’ morning skate, something that helped Alex step up her game.

267

She sped across the ice with several other players, hitting pucks with fervor and plowing several past Pierre into the net.

“You need to slow down,” he said during a break. “You were a little too enthusiastic with making practice goals.”

“Sorry,” she replied. “I don’t want to catch hell for missing any more where they count.”

Pierre didn’t appear convinced. “Are you sure something else isn’t wrong? You and Troy argued earlier.”

“Oh…sorry you overheard him blowing something out of proportion. Reggie, Davy, and some of their friends helped me move over the weekend and Troy’s buddy Mark made it sound like I was hosting an orgy. What’s with him lately? He throws fits every time I go somewhere, do or don’t do something, and make mistakes during games. Then he asked me earlier if I’d still go out with him after I moved to my new place only to say he’s taking some model to the Center Ice dinner.”

268

“Uh, oh; do I see green around your collar, Alex?”

“What?”

“You sound annoyed with him taking Kelly.”

“Oh sure, like I give a shit he wants to be seen with a yet another blonde. Don’t all players with his status?”

“Not really.”

“Pierre, I’m really not in the mood today.”

Davy skated over to the pair. “Alex, there you are! Listen, I’m flying to London tomorrow for my great-aunt’s funeral and to help Mum with some things. I’ll be gone a few days.”

“Sorry to hear about your loss, Davy. Will you call me when the plane lands?”

“Certainly; can’t worry my best mate. I should be back by Sunday.”

“Who’s covering while you’re gone?” Pierre asked.

269

“Hank Stover, a nice chap from the Scranton Revolution.”

“We’ll make him welcome as possible.”

“Sorry I can’t stay longer, but I need to go home and pack for my flight. I’m leaving bright and early.”

“Stay safe, man. Give your family our condolences,” Pierre replied.

“Well, there goes another Center Ice date prospect,” Alex said as they watched Davy skate toward the dressing area.

Pierre cracked a smile. “Marty’s available.”

“No way would I go with that Howdy Doody if he was the last man on earth, and don’t bother suggesting Lenny or Vince. Both give me the creeps.”

“Vince and Marty are going stag and Lenny’s bringing some redhead he met last week.”

“You mean that tacky-looking yoga teacher and obvious puck bunny? No offense, but some of these guys have bad taste in women.”

Pierre raised an eyebrow. “Like a certain pretty Canadian hockey robot?”

270

She punched his arm. “Stop! You know I adore Patti.”

“I wasn’t talking about me or my wife, Alex.”

“Pierre, I don’t need another Troy lecture.”

“You and he may fool a lot of people, but I know a lot more is going on under the surface.”

“You’re full of shit.”

“I beg to differ, Miss Galloway. Your reaction to Troy taking Kelly wasn’t lost on me.”

“I recall saying I didn’t care.”

“What was said and the tone of voice you used are two different things.”

“Do we need to talk about this?”

“Let me throw out one more question and then I’ll shut up.”

“Fine, ask.”

271

“Do you have feelings for Troy?”

Alex stared at the goaltender as if he’d taken leave of his senses. “Are you insane? No!”

“Then why is your face turning red?”

“It’s warm in here.”

“Make all the excuses you like, but some of us know better.”

“I thought you were dropping the subject, Pierre.”

“Yes, I’m done. We should head back to work.”

Greise strode over to Pierre once Alex was out of earshot. “Is Galla okay? She looked pissed about something this morning.”

“Can I trust you to keep something under wraps, my friend?”

272

“Sure, what’s happening?”

“I think one of my fellow Canadians and his American protégé are falling for each other.”

Greise nodded.
“Ja
, Troy and Galla are almost like an old married couple; they’re fighting one minute and playing nice-nice the next.”

“If we can see what’s happening, how long do you think it will take for the other guys to figure out everything?”

“Let’s stay quiet and see what happens. Who knows, one or both may break by end of the season.”

“I hope so, Greise. The yet-unveiled chemistry between them is killing me.”

***