Power Play (30 page)

359

“Hopefully that poor photographer can settle everyone.”

“Joe’s worked with us for years. Nothing surprises him anymore. By the way, I should give a warning that you’ll likely be placed between me and Boris in the front row.”

“You won’t hear any objections from my end. I certainly won’t mind being surrounded by two of the most gorgeous men in hockey.”

***

“Beaumont, stop drinking your beer for five minutes,” Pierre said. “Joe wants to get a few nice shots.”

Vince took another swig. “Get your jockstrap out of a wad, Germaine. We do this same shit every year.”

“You enjoy the spoils, so quit bitching and put away the bottle.”

Alex held back a giggle at their exchange. She pulled a small compact from her bag and quickly glimpsed into its mirror.

360

“No makeup. You already beautiful,” Boris assured her.

“Thanks, but I wanted to make sure nothing was stuck between my teeth.”

Jax began rubbing her shoulders from behind the second row where he stood. She didn’t resist the impromptu massage, which encouraged him to slide one hand farther before stopping above her dress’s neckline.

She scowled and gave it a loud slap.

“Hey!” he barked.

“You watch it now, Jax,” Alex warned. “Try that shit again and you’ll pull back a nub.”

Laughter filled the room.

“Serves you right for trying to molest the lady,” Brian said.

Jax rubbed his sore hand.
“Ty jsi zlý malý hovno.”

“Keep having wandering hands and you’ll find out how evil I
really
am,” Alex responded.

361

“Hey Ivanka,” Marty said, “I haven’t been laid in over a week yet you don’t see
me
trying to grab Galloway’s boobs.”

“Thank the Lord,” she replied, “or you’d be crudely neutered.”

Troy glared at Marty. “Your ass will also be mine if you much as think about putting one finger on Al.”

“Don’t have a stroke, Talmadge. She’s not my type.”

“No offense, Howdy Doody, but you aren’t mine either,” Alex quipped.

“None taken, Galloway.”

“Are we finished with these damn pictures?” Lenny impatiently asked. “I’d like to get back with my date.”

“In other words, our ho ass alternate is horny,” Vince said and took another gulp of beer.

“Actually I prefer looking at Buffy’s face in contrast to all your ugly mugs,” Lenny retorted.

“Buffy?”
Troy asked with a snorty laugh. “You sure know how to choose them, Walton.”

362

“Bite me, Talmadge. You’ve had your own share of bimbos.”

“At least most of mine looked human.”

“Big deal; you held the corner market on models – most of them airheads – but isn’t Galloway your current main squeeze?”

“No!”
Troy and Alex shouted together.

“Could have fooled me.”

Alex rolled her eyes. “Shut up, Walton.”

Jax piped in with a slick grin. “She’s my date tonight for those who didn’t notice.”

“Yeah, and probably the only recent one you’ve had that’s neither an idiot nor gold digger,” Reggie said.

“Shut it, Hebert.”

“Is everyone ready?” the photographer asked. “First shot will be for the web site. Make it good, gentleman and lady.”

363

Troy stared into the lens with a shy smile with Alex beaming as she sat between him and Boris.

Little did she – or anyone else – guess the night would be one of the last moments of her life as she knew it in the coming months.

***

364

Chapter 58

“My feet are killing me,” Alex groaned into the phone while kicking off shoes inside her apartment door. “I also can’t wait to shed this dress. The girly look never suited me.”

“How was your date?” Jennifer asked. “Phyllis said you went to the benefit with Jax Ivanka.”

“Aside from putting his big paws on my leg most of the evening and then trying to cop a cheap feel before the team picture, great. The looks on people’s faces when we walked in together were priceless.”

“Well, take into consideration most of the Rebels’ fan base all but paired you with Troy from day one. I bet his date’s a total bitch.”

“Kelly’s actually a nice person. I had a blast hanging with her, Reggie’s sister, and Pierre’s wife. We’re all going to lunch tomorrow after practice.”

365

“The medical staff already cleared you to work out and take contact?”

“I wish! No, it’s still too early even though I’ve already made considerable progress. I usually go with Troy to watch practices and Donna will be at the arena tomorrow to interview more people for her side project.”

“Oh, right, you did mention someone shooting a documentary about your career. I bet you never imagined being a film’s subject this time last year, huh?”

“Last year I was lucky to make my share of the rent every month and drove an old beater. Now I have an apartment overlooking the city, a car that I know will start every morning, and investments.”

“You put money into other things? Isn’t that a bit risky?”

“Everything’s a risk, Jen. Troy’s financial advisor is guiding me and Jax made a couple suggestions. I have a stock portfolio; a couple real estate investments shared with Troy and now one of three owners of a hockey team.”

366

“You bought a team? How was that possible with your salary? You aren’t exactly a millionaire like some of the guys–”

Alex shrugged out of her dress while balancing the phone. “I should clarify the franchise I partially own is in Prague.”

“A
Czechoslovakian
team? What in the world made you…?”

“One of Jax’s suggestions; he and another guy are the other two owners.”

“I certainly hope you know what you’re doing.”

“That’s why a thing called due diligence exists, Jen.”

“I meant Jax. I mean, he’s hot and all, but strikes me as dangerous at the same time. You’re safer with Troy.”

“Don’t worry; Jax isn’t evil as most tend to think.  I changed his opinion about women in hockey, didn’t I? Besides, I’ve been having fun balancing both a sweet good guy type and experienced bad boy though I have more in common with Troy.”

367

“You’re closer in age, for starters.”

“Age is just a number and any potential relationship with a teammate may get dicey. While on the subject, how is
your
love life?”

“More like lack of one. Some people don’t have attractive hockey players chasing them.”

“I wouldn’t consider myself being chased, but know a certain Englishman on the team who happens to be my best friend.”

“Davy St. Cloud is
single?
He’s such a cutie!”

“Believe it or not, sometimes he can’t get dates unless fixed up by friends.”

“Let me guess, because he’s not some six foot tall muscle head gym rat. Ugh, some women give the rest of us bad names by being so shallow.”

“Would you like sort of an introduction? I can pass him your number when he returns to town Sunday.”

368

“You’d do that for me? Sure, I’d love to chat if he’s willing. His accent is so sexy!”

“Okay, but you have to promise not to act like a fan girl.”

“I’ll make an effort to behave. Sorry to hear you’ll miss the All-Star Game.”

“Yes, I was the only rookie chosen for the Eastern team, but Davy’s going in my place.”

“Did anyone give you an idea on when you can play again?”

“No, but I’m doing some light workouts and hitting a few street hockey balls so not to lose my edge before I’m cleared to return. Troy the Taskmaster makes sure I stay focused.”

“Confess, Alex; you love every minute of his presence.”

“Well…most of the time. God forbid if anyone messes with his routine even if it does drive the rest of us nuts.”

369

“I’m sure you have habits he doesn’t find appealing.”

“My coffee, peanut M&M’s and Diet Pepsi pale in comparison to Troy still wearing the same gross jock strap he did at eight years old and eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches every day at five o’clock. Oh, and the bread, peanut butter, and jelly all have to be certain brands.”

“Lord, help the woman who marries him,” Jennifer kidded.

“She better have the patience of a saint! I lived with Troy for a few months and can’t begin to count the times I wanted to kill him. He actually found someone to keep tabs on me while he’s in Anaheim.” 

“He doesn’t want to worry since you’re still recovering. Who’s the designated mystery visitor?”

“You’ll never believe it. Jax.”

“What? I thought he and Troy avoided each other much as possible outside of games and team business.”

370

“I definitely haven’t talked to you for a long time. Troy and Jax put aside their differences this past week. Don’t ask me how or why.”

“Maybe having a mutual friend in you prompted them.”

“I prefer the present civility over exchanging insults like a couple of grumpy old men or shooting murderous glances at one another in the locker room. I even got to dance with Troy a few times while Jax took turns with Kelly. No one believed what they saw!”

“I’m sure the four of you will be
the
topic for discussion tomorrow.”

“Probably. Don’t forget to tell Phyllis the Rebels’ web site will have pictures up sometime in the morning. Right now, I need to get in bed if I want to be up by seven. Talk again soon?”

“You know we will. I’ll also email some pictures from the
Office Girls 2
set.”

371

“Tell Mr. Francis I said hello.”

“I will. He misses seeing you on the ice.”

“He watches hockey? I had no idea.”

“Only the Rebels; Francis subscribes to some fancy cable package where they broadcast almost every hockey game known to man.”

“Tell him I’ll play in New York soon once I’m medically cleared.”

“I’ll pass along the message.”

“Thanks. I really should get to bed. Donna has more documentary work planned for tomorrow and wants to interview some of the guys.”

“Good luck and have a peaceful sleep. You’ve earned it!”

***