Power Play (58 page)

698

She stopped crying and managed a chuckle. “One already exists; unfortunately I’m related to him.”

“You’re cute, Sissy.”

“Don’t be so modest, Troy. So you guys are in the playoffs again?”

“Yeah, can you believe eleven years in a row?”

“Sure, look who is team captain.”

“Let’s hope this post-season ends a seven-year dry spell for the trophy.”

“I’m rooting for you guys as always. Did Alex have her baby?”

“No, I don’t think she’s due for at least another few weeks.”

“You’re going to be a great godfather to her baby. Oh, whom am I kidding? You’ll also make an awesome
father
someday
.
When am I going to be an auntie? I’m not getting any younger, big brother!”

“Louise, you’re eighteen and starting university in the fall.”

699

“So? Go find a nice girl and make some little Troys.”

“Maybe in a few years.”

“I’m holding you to that. Are you going out tonight?”

“I’m tired so I’ll probably go to bed early.”

“Gee, you have old man habits for someone who’s only twenty-eight.”

“Get back to me in ten years, smarty pants. I’ll still be able to beat you on the ice.”

“Yeah, right! Thanks for making me feel better, big brother.”

“I’m always a phone call away anytime you need to chat.”

“I know; I’m the world’s luckiest sister!”

“Good night, Louise.”

“Bye Troy. I love you!”

“Love you too. Tell Mom and Dad I said hi.”

***

700

Troy dialed Alex’s number and left a message that he’d missed her at the game, wondering if she was okay. Jax had left the arena before Troy could inquire about Alex’s absence.

He’s probably meeting some skank. I’ve never been in
that
much a rush getting to the gym no matter what time it was. Perhaps now is the time for me to step in and give Al the attention she’s missing at home.

Troy drove along the highway lost in thought as upbeat pop music filled his ears. Occupants of several vehicles honked and waved as they passed him; one driver approached for an autograph while Troy was stopped at a red light.

He couldn’t help but laugh after the signal turned green, thinking how Alex would love hearing about his latest bizarre fan encounter. Troy missed the time they spent together and looked forward to her return from maternity leave.

Now to aim for advancing past the playoffs’ first round unlike last year…

***

701

Chapter 110

“Why weren’t you the game with Jax last night?” Troy asked when Alex answered her phone. “I missed you.”

“I went to the emergency room with contractions,” she replied.

“What? Wasn’t it a bit early for you to have the baby?”

“No, no baby yet. With the way you worry, people would think you were the father if they didn’t know any better.”

“Someone
has to. I can’t believe Jax played last night without mentioning a word to anyone about you when he should’ve been at the hospital.”

“I insisted he go to the arena. There was no point hanging around with me when he couldn’t do much anyway.”

“Is everything okay?”

702

“The contractions were only Braxton-Hicks. In other words, false labor. The baby and I are fine.”

“I’m coming over.”

“You don’t need to, Troy. I’m feeling much better.”

“No arguments; I’m on my way. I wondered why Jax left in a hurry after the game.”

“He did?” Alex asked. “Well he certainly wasn’t with me. I didn’t hear him come home until around two-thirty and figured he was either doing his usual post-game workout or with some of the other guys.”

“Nope, no one saw him anywhere after leaving the arena.”

“Didn’t I say he’s acting strange lately? Jax practically lives at the gym and it’s not normal for him to miss workouts.”

“The offer of finding someone to follow him still stands.”

“No thanks; whatever Jax is doing will bite him in the ass soon enough.”

703

“I don’t want to see you hurt, Al. You have more than enough on your plate as it is.”

“I’m a big girl, Troy, but it’s good to know you’re looking out for me.”

I’ll always be here.
“I designated myself for that task the day I met you.”

“Maybe you should visit. Jax is God knows where and I’m bored out of my mind. I hope the hell my OB doesn’t recommend bed rest after what happened last night.”

“I’m about ten minutes from your place and happy to volunteer if you ever need a best rest partner.”

“Troy!” she exclaimed with a laugh. “You need to stop being a tease.”

“Who said anything about teasing?”

“Do you always flirt with pregnant married women?”

“I like to mix things up a little. Hey, I’m almost at your place. How long will Old Man be gone?”

704

“Probably most of the afternoon depending on what he’s doing.”

Or
whom
he’s doing.
“Great, let me take you to lunch.”

“I’m not dressed.”

“So get dressed.”

“You’re insistent today. All right, but nowhere fancy.”

“Your wish is my command, madam. See you in a bit.”

“I’ll be waiting,” Alex warmly replied. “You’ve already brightened my afternoon.”

***

705

Chapter 111

“I love you.”

Alex stopped eating, swallowed hard, and stared at Troy. “What did you say?”

“I meant-” He attempted to take back the outburst but additional words would not come.

Troy didn’t mean to voice his true feelings, given what he perceived as poor timing. She was married to – and expecting a child with any day – another fellow teammate, for crying out loud!

He wasn’t sure Alex would return the ardor even if she did appear discontent in her marriage. An odd warmth always bloomed in Troy’s chest when she smiled; he was thrilled Alex agreed to join him for an impromptu picnic at one of the park’s remote spots where no one would see them together and spread gossip.

He loved spending time with her and how heartbroken he’d feel if they never again saw one another outside the hockey business.

706

Which could happen at any moment, thanks to your big mouth, Troy.

Alex’s gleeful squeal and tight hug interrupted his cogitation. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear you say those words!”

“Wait, what? You’re still married.”

“Troy, I’m going to be honest. I care about Jax but never loved him in the way he needs.”

“Then why…?”

“I was so blindsided by an older man’s attentions that I didn’t stop long enough to think everything through. Marriage was Jax’s idea, not mine. I’d been content with raising the baby alone.”

“You know I would have–”

“Yes, I do.” She gave him a quick kiss. “Love you too, goober.”

Her response stunned Troy. He’d had his share of dealing with humanity; weird requests from strangers, horrible insults from critics and the media, and women trying to sleep with him.
Those
things he could handle with little effort.

707

What he never expected was Alex’s confession of love for him, not her husband, and now at a loss how to react.

I never figured this moment would ever happen to me.

“Kiss me,” Alex whispered, her eyes dancing, lips close to his.

They locked into an intense kiss as Alex’s petite hands began massaging his shoulders and slid down his chest. His hands seemed to develop minds of their own, gently stroking her body while their tongues explored each other's mouths.

He finally broke the kiss. “Are you sure we should go through with this?”

“I think it’s obvious we both wanted the same thing for a long time.”

He left a trail of light kisses down her neck. “Then maybe we should continue at my place.”

***

708

Chapter 112

“I could stay with you like this forever,” Alex said while she and Troy cuddled in bed.

He stroked her hair. “I’d love nothing better.”

“Too bad we can’t.”

“Maybe someday.” One of Troy’s hands wandered over her rounded belly before pausing.

A worried expression etched his face. “Oh, God. Did I hurt you? I felt something strange.”

“Troy, relax. The baby’s moving. You didn’t do anything to harm her or me.”

“Holy shit, you need to put some skates on the kid.”

“Don’t give baby daddy any ideas.”

709

“I take it Old Man wants to continue the Galloway-Ivanka legacy?”

“For someone who bitched not long ago how the AHC and Rebels were going down the toilet for drafting a woman, he’s hell bent on training our daughter.”

“What if she doesn’t want to play hockey?”

“I’ll support any career decision she makes long as it isn’t something illegal or degrading. Jax on the other hand…well, I really don’t know how he’d take the news that a child he sired had no interest in hockey.”

“Guess you’ll find out in a few years.”

“When did you know hockey was your future?” Alex asked.

“My dad had me in skates when I was three.”

“Three?
No wonder you’re so proficient.”

“You flatter me way too often, Al.”