Power Play (56 page)

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The latter had its effect on Alex.
Oh Troy, you big tease.

She squirmed and hid the picture in a “Baby Things to Do List” file where Jax would never look if he ever needed to use her laptop. She leaned back on the deck chair, the image of Troy’s perfect physique still branded in her mind.

What’s wrong with you, Alex? You’ve seen the man without a shirt dozens of times; what makes this one any different? Sure, it’s been ages since you and Jax made love, but put aside other feelings for Troy. He’s a mentor and close friend. Get your mind together!

Her inbox contained another message following dinner. She waited until Jax left for the gym and read the second email. Alex knew Troy had his eccentricities - which meant to most people he was a little bat shit crazy - but she could no longer deny her love for him.

The phone’s ring jarred Alex from her thoughts. She glimpsed at the Caller ID window, saw Jon Halloran’s home number, and wondered why he was calling her.

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“Good evening, Alexandra.”

“What can I do for you, Mr. Halloran?”

“I’ve tried contacting Jax and Troy to inform them the AHC lockdown ends Monday. Both didn’t answer their phones and I’m not sure my voice messages went through. Could you update them for me?”

Why would Jax be hard to contact all the sudden? His phone’s usually glued to his pocket or ear.
“I’ll let Jax know. Troy’s in California with the Brady family so you may be able to get hold of him through Byron.”

“Thanks for the tip. How are you feeling?”

“Not bad considering the baby’s arrival is drawing closer.”

“Do you need anything in the meantime?”

“No, Jax and I are all set.”

“Alexandra, there’s something else we should discuss.”

“What?”

“Is everything okay with you and Troy? I sensed some tensions before the lockdown went into effect.”

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“He didn’t take my marriage to Jax well in the beginning but we’ve since talked through email and phone calls. I think the visit with Byron’s family benefitted him in many ways.”

“Oh, I doubt either of us would be surprised if Troy sneaked a few training sessions during his so-called ‘down time.’ His obsessions often reflect his competitiveness. He’s on the ice forty-five minutes before practice, the first to come and last to leave, and puts in about ninety minutes at the gym five days a week. He doesn’t smoke, rarely drinks, doesn’t stay out late, and I never noticed any long term interests in specific women before he met you.”

“We females may throw off his routine,” Alex replied with a laugh.

“Troy’s superstitious nature is hardly a secret.”

“Yes, and people always complain about things pertaining to him. ‘He’s only won one Princeton Trophy and wasn’t even MVP that year,’ ‘he whines,’ ‘he's gay,’ ‘he's weird,’ ‘he’s a bitch,’ or ‘he’s awkward.’ Troy’s really a sweet-natured man despite his success and doesn’t deserve such hate.”

“We all can’t be loved by everyone and I’ve had my own share of critics over the years. Meanwhile he’ll keep racking up awards while being one of the world’s best players and become the current generation’s Jax Ivanka.”

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“Minus the Czechoslovakian temper and a few outdated attitudes,” Alex replied.

“Is Jax hurting you?” Jon asked with a touch of concern. “I wanted to advise you against marrying him, but–”

“No, no, no! Well…I doubt he’ll ever hit me but is always cracking jokes about my weight and calls me his little fat girl. He’s worse in front of his friends. They’ll waddle behind me or make comments like ‘Hey whale, the ocean’s that way!’ Jax and I haven’t….haven’t…been intimate since the baby first showed. At the same time, he loses his shit if another man much as smiles at me. I don’t dare tell him Troy and I have been in touch.”

“That sounds terribly cruel, Alexandra. Roy and I will recommend he attend sensitivity training once lockdown ends.”

“Mr. Halloran, that really isn’t necessary. I’m sure Jax is only teasing and will go back to being the man I married when our daughter’s born.”

“I insist. He needs to start acting like a responsible husband and father, not an overage teenager.”

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Wonder what Mr. Halloran would think if he knew Troy sent me that sexy beach picture and racy emails?
“Okay, but I doubt the entire world’s sensitivity training will affect Jax. He’s more than set in his ways.”

“Jax will listen to us if no one else, especially if he values his job.”

“Thank you, Mr. Halloran. I’ll see everyone on Monday.”

***

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Chapter 107

“What a bunch of bullshit,” Marty griped. “First day back since the lockdown ended and we’re having some damn team meeting in an hour.”

“We were inactive for a couple months,” Brian replied. “A short meeting won’t kill anyone.”

“Talmadge beat the rest of us here this morning. I just saw him on the ice shooting pucks. Talk about someone eager to resume work.”

“You’re surprised? He was probably ready to climb walls during lockdown.”

“Didn’t dude start losing his marbles not long after Galloway married Ivanka?” Lenny asked. “Has anyone seen the lovebirds?”

“Ivanka’s working out and I saw wifey bullshitting with Talmadge rinkside,” Vince said. “She’s getting faaaaaaaaaaaatttttt!”

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“Ivanka probably has to roll her in flour to find the wet spot if he isn’t already fucking someone else,” Marty said. “Jesus, could you imagine going to bed with that land whale of a wife every night? I’d look for some side ass too.”

“Come on you blokes,” Davy scolded them. “Alex is getting close to having the little tyke.”

“Yeah, but she has to weigh what, two hundred pounds?” Marty asked.

Davy glared at him. “One eighty-six but at least she has a legit excuse, unlike present company’s ale gut.”

Brian playfully poked Marty’s stomach. “Looks like you overindulged in beer and junk food during lockdown, O’Freel. You should join Ivanka in the performance center.”

“Fuck both of you.”

Brian started laughing. “We may have to roll you in flour first to find the right entry.”

“I’ll pass,” Davy replied. “I’m about to become a happily married chap and you have a lovely wife at home.”

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“Oh yeah, I heard you got engaged. Congratulations, St. Cloud; you finally found a woman dumb enough to deal with your shit.”

“Seems I wasn’t the only chap busy during our unexpected break,” Davy said with a knowing grin. “I hear there are other Donahue and Germaine tots debuting in the near future.”

“We’re hoping for a girl this time,” Brian proudly replied.

Pierre looked up from what he was doing with a gleam in his eye. “Did you honestly think Patti would leave me alone the entire time we were back in Quebec?”

“Trying for a young lad, Pierre?” Davy asked.

“Let’s hope second time’s a charm, friend.”

“Hey, look who decided to grace us with their presences!” Marty greeted Jax and Byron. “Preacher and Old Man. Welcome back to the fast lane, gentlemen.”

Jax plopped on a bench in front of his locker. “Good to be here.” He gave Marty’s ass a loud slap. “Looks like my wife isn’t the only one with an expanding middle. When are you due, O’Freel?”

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Marty rubbed the sore spot. “You suck, Ivanka.”

“Serves you right for running your smart mouth.”

“Galloway didn’t exactly swallow watermelon seeds to get that big belly,” Lenny cracked.

“Shut it, Walton,” Jax growled. “Wouldn’t surprise me if
you
had several love children all over the world.”

“Maybe not; I have yet to learn of any Lenny Juniors.”

“Doesn’t mean some may not exist,” Marty said.

“Bite me, O’Freel.”

Byron put down his bag and gave the other men a quizzical stare. “I see some things didn’t change during lockdown. Y’all still need Jesus.”

“How are your youngsters, Preacher?” Pierre asked.

“Doing well, thank you. Babs and I took them to California and invited Troy. Our trip was cut short with lockdown ending, but I’m nevertheless looking forward to getting back to work.”

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“I think we all drove our wives and significant others crazy,” Brian said, “From seeing Troy’s improved morale, time spent with your family in North Carolina did him justice.”

“The captain deserved some rest. I made sure no one bothered him and Babs made sure he had plenty to eat. The kids hated to see him leave.”

“I bet. Sometimes I think part of him is still in childhood.”

“Imagine Troy Talmadge with a bunch of children on stage during award shows. The AHC needs to arrange something special.”

“I’d love to see him as a father. He'll be great; could you imagine people’s reactions to videos and pictures of him skating or interacting with little Talmadges?”

Byron chuckled. “The Internet would implode. Now he needs a stable young lady, but with his passion for hockey that may take a lifetime.”

“I don’t know, mates,” Davy chimed in. “Something tells me he’ll find the ideal lass sooner than we think.”

***

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Troy moved effortlessly across the ice with amazing speed and hit each puck in his path with precision. He was once again able to things in a structural, routine manner, blocking outside influences and pressures as he envisioned the challenges that awaited him.

“Someone’s excited about getting back into the swing of things,” a cheerful voice said.

Troy’s eyes lit up after he turned towards the person addressing him. “Al! What are you doing here?”

“You do realize I’m still part of the team and we have a meeting today.”

He set down his stick and glided to the ice’s edge. “Of course; I wanted to get in some unofficial practice time before everyone else showed up.”

“Why am I not surprised to see the old Troy back in action?”

“Time from hockey’s rat race cleared my mind, but I’m glad the Legionnaire’s disease outbreak’s finally over. According to AHC officials’ calculations, a playoff spot is ours if we win the next two games.””

“Jax had a close call with Legionnaire’s and didn’t want me near an arena before games started getting canceled. To be honest, I think it was his excuse to keep me away from the public.”

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“What made you assume that?”

“Are you blind? I’m enormous!”

Troy smiled and his eyes swept over her body. “You look absolutely incredible.”

“You can stop being nice at any time.”

“I’m serious. Women are beautiful when they’re pregnant.”

She scoffed. “One would think I’d make a perfect Shamu body double the way Jax makes jokes.”

“Jesus, Al, why do you put up with his shit?”

“I brushed off almost everything until yesterday when he laughed about widening all the doorways in our house so I wouldn’t get stuck. I grabbed Jax by the ear and said if he called me ‘little fat girl’ one more time, I’d punch his teeth out!”

Troy’s honking laugh permeated the air. “I’d like to have been a fly on the wall. He obviously never heard the cardinal rule of not pissing off pregnant women.”