Power Play (65 page)

782

“When Anna starts showing interest in boys, Jax will likely interrogate all potential dates before anyone’s deemed suitable for his precious little girl.”

“Let me guess; he’s one of those strict paters.”

“That’s one quality of being a parent from the ‘old country’.”

“Are you and Ivanka doing okay?”

She shrugged. “I suppose we are like some other couples.”

“Yet you’re still shagging Troy.”

Alex clapped a hand over Davy’s mouth. “Shhhh! Keep it down; no one else needs to know.”

“Something will eventually leak, love.”

“Not if Troy and I have anything to say. We’ve been discreet as possible.” She sighed. “To be honest, Davy…”

“What? What’s wrong?”

“Things with Jax aren’t rosy as they appear, least from my point of view.”

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“Are you having problems?” he asked.

“No, but I can’t stop wondering if I got married for all the wrong reasons.”

“Wait, wasn’t Ivanka the one who wanted to make everything official?”

“Yes, and I wasn’t thinking clearly when I accepted his marriage proposal. I care about Jax a great deal, Davy; while sex is great the rare times we
do
have it, I’ve never really been in love with him.”

“So why stay? You’re already a household name and more than able to support Anna on your own.”

“I neither want to take advantage of Jax in a divorce nor cause something that would deny him access to our daughter.”

“He’ll still be able to see her.” Davy placed a friendly hand on her shoulder. “Is remaining in the marriage worth sacrificing your and Anna’s happiness? She won’t be a baby forever and will figure out things as she gets older. Trust me, love; your new contract won’t exactly leave you destitute.”

“I’m not concerned about money. Jax would no doubt offer support for Anna even if I didn’t have a new deal in place. I don’t want her to someday resent me leaving her dad for such a petty reason.”

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“Terminating a loveless marriage is hardly petty, Alex. Do you want to keep putting on a front with someone you never loved because you have an ankle biter, or free yourself for the chap who not only considers you the love of his life, but also clear
you
never stopped loving
him?”

“You’re right, Davy; staying with Jax when he should have a woman who’d truly love him is selfish on my part. He’s a good man under the rough exterior and Anna couldn’t have a better father. I’m also not doing Troy any favors by keeping him on the side for my convenience. You made me realize all I’m doing is toying with both of their emotions and neither guy deserves that.”

“Then it’s time to step back and take a good look at your marriage’s current state, love.”

Alex prepared to leave. “Yes it is. I’ll get things underway after the trade deadline passes.”

***

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Chapter 125

Marty sneaked behind Alex on the bench and planted a wet kiss on her cheek. “Those are some mighty fine shots you’re doing out there, lady! The look on Pete Stark’s face made everything worthwhile.”

She wiped her cheek with a grimace. “Thanks, but save the wet smooches for your dog, Howdy Doody.”

“What, afraid your old man will shoot me where I stand?”

“I wouldn’t put it past him.”

“You two are quite a pair. If I had a dollar for each person who told me they were surprised Ivanka beat Talmadge to putting a ring on you, I could retire tonight.”

“Yeah, well, me too.”

“So tell me something,” Marty said. “Are the rumors true?”

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Oh God, Davy; I hope you didn’t blab about what we discussed yesterday.
“What rumors?”

“You and Talmadge throwing around ideas about buying the Rebels.”

“We’ve talked about it.”

“I know you signed a new contract and Talmadge is a millionaire several times over, but how will either of you find that kind of money?”

“I connected with a few interested parties in New York, Troy found some investors, and Mr. Halloran offered us a sweet deal.”

“
New York?
What the hell–?”

“Before you go on another of your tirades, Troy and I plan to keep the team in Pittsburgh. We made that part clear to any potential investors.”

Marty emitted a sigh of relief. “Thank God.”

“Shouldn’t you be more concerned about the trade deadline?” Alex asked.

“Not really.”

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“I heard some other teams expressing interest in a few of our guys.”

Marty’s interest piqued. “Like whom?”

“Vince, Brian, and possibly Jax.”

“Whoa! Who wants a relic like Old Man? Someone better have a damn good salary cap.”

“Rumor has it Miami has their eye on him.”

“What will happen to you and the kid if Old Man goes?”

Alex shrugged. “I can’t be sure. I suppose we’ll see him every summer unless I get traded with him.”

“I hope the hell you aren’t! You’ve been a great asset to this team.”

“Wow, someone’s had a change of heart the past year.”

“Well, you being on injured reserve after your concussion last season and then maternity leave got a few of us guys thinking we should appreciate you more.”

She gave him a broad smile. “Thank you, Howdy…
Marty.”

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Marty did a fist pump. “Yes! She called me by my given name!”

“I think you finally earned it.”

“Hey, do you think the team could use your kid as a mascot?”

Alex scoffed. “No! Rebel Rouser will continue to suffice.”

“Of course he will; I’m only messing with you.”

“You have a weird sense of humor.”

“Someone has to keep things exciting.”

Alex rose from the bench. “I’m being summoned for the next play. Catch you later.”

***

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“What will happen to you and Anna if Jax gets traded?” Troy nervously asked during intermission. “Has there been any word on you going with him?”

“No,” she replied, “but you and I have been around long enough to take most rumors with a truckload of salt. Remember the trade buzzes last year about you and Boris?”

“Yeah, you nearly decapitated me before I straightened everything out with the real story.”

“I should’ve had Glenn insert a no-trade clause in my contract.”

Troy gave her a knowing grin. “Lucky for us, we share an agent who has a habit of thinking ahead.”

“Are you saying…?”

“You and I are immune from any possible trades unless we give the word, shorty.”

Alex punched his thigh. “Why didn’t you say something earlier?”

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“Ow! Will you quit? I assumed Glenn got in touch. Didn’t you get the revised contract?”

“No one yet mentioned having anything for me. By the way, have you met the new goalie who replaced Griese?”

“Travis Vanderhoven? Nice kid. Twenty years old and already has a promising career ahead of him.”

“Poor Pierre; seems he has to break in a new backup every season.”

“I think Travis may work out. So back to the original subject...how do you plan to handle things if Jax is traded?”

“We’ll probably live apart during the season.” Alex leaned towards him and lowered her voice. “Look, there’s something I need to tell you but I prefer to do it when we’re alone.”

“Is it about…?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, let’s meet for drinks after the game unless Jax has objections.”

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“I doubt you need to worry about that. Jax is back to old habits of working out after games.” Alex patted Troy’s shoulder and smiled. “Intermission’s almost over. We better get back to the game.”

***

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Chapter 126

“All right,” Alex said to Troy over drinks following the game. “Before I say anything, the only other person I’ve told is Davy, and he’s so far kept quiet.”

“God, Al, don’t tell me Jax got you pregnant again.”

“I’ve taken precautions to prevent such a thing from happening with both of you. No, this concerns his possible trade.”

“What about it?”

“Troy, if Jax gets traded to another team, it will make me getting out a bit easier.”

He looked baffled. “Getting out of what?”

“My marriage.”

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Troy drew in a shuddering breath. “You’re
leaving
him?”

“Let’s say I’ve pondered over the idea since talking to Davy.”

“When do you plan to start proceedings or whatever?”

“Possibly after the trade deadline.”

“Besides the conversation with Davy, what made you consider the idea of divorce?”

“The fact I’m holding back Jax. He should be with someone who loves him in a way he needs.”

“Wait, you’ve lost me.”

Alex took one of his hands. “Troy…much as I care about him, I’m not in love and never have been. He’s–”

“Too old?”

“Perhaps that and not having much in common other than sex, playing for the same hockey franchise, and of course Anna.”

“Yet you married him in a tearing hurry.”

“I was pregnant and not exactly in my right mind.”

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“Maybe just as well you do leave him.”

“Am I sensing a hidden agenda on your part?”

“I’d confess to having one in another circumstance, but since you’re mulling over the idea of divorce, it’s time for me to come clean.”

“Now I’m the one who’s lost.”

“Al, I overheard Vince and Marty talking after Jax took you to the hospital the night you went into labor.”

“So? Both always run their mouths like gossipy old women.”

“Yeah, but I have a confession to make. I should’ve said something sooner, but you had a lot on your hands with the baby, training, and practices.”

“Spit it out, Troy. What’s going on?”

“When Vince and Marty went to find Jax when you were in labor, they found him…doing…shit, how can I put this without you beheading me?”

“Getting to the point would be nice.”