Power Play (15 page)

170

Chapter 32

“It’s time to find you a new car,” Troy announced on the phone that evening.”

“No way; I can’t yet afford such a huge expense.”

“I can make other arrangements for financing until you get your first check.”

“Oh, Troy, haven’t you done more than enough for me?”

“A little more help won’t hurt, Al. Pierre filled me in on someone pranking you today and it was all I could do not having him strangle Walton, O’Freel, or Beaumont on my behalf.”

“You think one of them filled my car with packing peanuts?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if all three were in on the joke. By the way, did you have any problems with Jax Ivanka?”

171

“No, but Davy and Reggie warned me about him. They also had good things to say about Boris, Johann, and Byron.”

“You’ll like those guys. Preacher should be at camp tomorrow and Baby Finn’s waiting for medical clearance to play. There’s someone else you should know about, though.”

“Who?”

“Brian Donahue. He has a short temper but a good-hearted man. He racked up the most penalties last season, majority of them for fighting.”

“I don’t think he likes me.”

“What gave you that idea?”

“I tried to introduce myself and talk to him during break, but he never acknowledged me.”

“On which side of him did you sit?”

172

“The right, but what does that have to do with anything?”

“That explains why it appeared Donahue ignored you. He’s deaf in his right ear from an oil rig explosion injury. He wears a hearing aid, but I don’t think it does much good. Try sitting to his left next time; you’ll likely have a better outcome.”

“Thanks. Seems I’m always learning something new about this team.” She paused for a moment. “Troy, is there any chance Brian reads lips or knows sign language? How else could he play hockey partially deaf?”

“Donahue can read lips from across a room if someone’s back isn’t facing him. As for the sign language, I think he only understands half a dozen sentences at most. Why do you ask?”

“Remember I told you about learning other languages during my acting days? I happen to be proficient in American Sign Language in addition to the three others. I could teach Brian ASL during down times if he’s willing to learn.”

“Why not ask him tomorrow?”

173

“I suppose I could. What’s the worst that can happen?”

“Exactly; are there any other issues you need to talk about before we wrap for the night?”

“No, I had quite an interesting first day aside from the incident with my car.”

“We still need to discuss finding a more reliable vehicle. I’m surprised that beater of yours made it all the way from New York.”

“Some people need to make do with what we have. I learned to live within my means from scraping by as a struggling actress.”

“You can use my car until I come back to town. I keep a set of spare keys in the top desk drawer. Since you brought up your thespian past, how about we go to the Pittsburgh premiere of
Vancouver Venus
together? We’ll have a couple weeks to kill before preseason begins.”

“Troy, are you asking me for a date?”

174

“Who better for me to enjoy a premiere with than the beautiful young former actress whose minor role helped get where she is today?”

“Not that you played a part in my present position, but I accept the offer to be your date.”

***

175

Chapter 33

“Nice moves, Galloway!” Coach Dean Barry called. “I don’t know how much Talmadge taught, but you clearly paid attention.”

Alex basked in his approval as she rejoined the other rookies during morning drills. “Thank you, sir.”

“Now let’s try shooting some goals since Faust looks bored. I’ll first have St. Cloud demonstrate since goals are practically his area of expertise, and then each of you will have a chance.”

“Coach gives me too much credit,” Davy said, “but let me show you all what works for me. Ready, Faust?”

“I’ve been ready since drills started,” Greise replied. “Give me all you got,
wenig Männchen.
”

“Yes, I know I’m short.” Davy smiled at the rookies. “Let’s hope to see more of this chap in the coming season. Making saves is one of his strongest points.”

176

“No one stops St. Cloud in practice!” Reggie shouted from the bench.

“You’re way too kind, mate,” Davy yelled back.

Alex and the other rookies looked on in amazement as Davy plowed one puck after another past Greise in spite of the goaltender’s best efforts to stop each shot.

“Who’s next?” he asked after hitting the net a final time. “Now remember, relax, focus, and aim.”

Several first-year team members followed Davy’s example. Some made goals while others altogether missed.

Alex’s turn finally came and she concentrated much as possible despite catcalls from Marty, Lenny, and Vince. Her first attempt sent the puck flying and struck Greise’s helmet.

Laughter emerged from the sidelines.

“Oh my God!” she cried. “I am so sorry, Greise!”

177

“One fine example why women shouldn’t play in the AHC,” Jax howled. “Hey, Galloway, puck’s supposed to go into the net, not bounce off a goaltender’s head!”

Alex glared and raised her middle finger at him.

“Just say when and where,
fena.”

“Nemohl jsem se dostat opilý nebo být dost zoufalý do prdele své staré zadek
,
Ivanka!”
she countered in Czech.

“Ooooh,” Reggie said in a low voice. “She’s feisty.”

Pierre nudged him. “Looks like hockey basics aren’t the only lessons Talmadge taught her.”

Greise removed his helmet, swore at Jax in German, and glimpsed at the area he was hit.

“I’m okay, Galla,” he told Alex with a smile. “It’s not the first time I took a puck to the head. That’s why we goalies wear so much extra gear.”

178

“I still feel terrible,” Alex said.

“Mir geht es gut,
Galla.
“Versuchen Sie einen anderen?”

“He wants me to try again,” she told the group. “
Ja, Greise, danke!”

“Show us your boobs instead!” Lenny catcalled.

“That’s enough, Walton,” Coach Barry admonished him. “Either you and your buddies behave or go to the locker room. I won’t tolerate any further degrading remarks or behavior toward our rookies.”

Pierre scowled and smacked Lenny’s head.

“Ow! Damn, Germaine, I was kidding!”

“More like bordering on sexual harassment. Knock it off.”

Byron shook his head. “Y’all need Jesus, Walton.”

Alex skated into position to attempt another practice goal.
We should count our blessings Troy’s in Nova Scotia or he would’ve unleashed the wrath of God on Walton and Ivanka.

179

She imagined the puck as Lenny and Jax’s heads before firing it toward Greise.

"Wunderschön!"
he praised as the puck slid into his net. “Way to go, Galla!”

Alex didn’t bother correcting Greise about her name. She bent in a mock bow, which made him laugh.

“Okay, that’s enough for this morning,” Coach Barry said. “Let’s take a lunch break and come back around one-thirty.”

Reggie, Byron and Davy skated over where Alex stood.

“Are you okay, love?” Davy asked. “Sorry you had to deal with crude wankers this morning.”

She nodded and smiled. “I’ve heard worse from construction workers in New York.”

“Lenny should be lucky it was Pierre instead of Brian who smacked his bloody noggin.”

“He should also be glad Troy isn’t here,” Byron said. “Pardon my manners and not introducing myself, dear lady. I’m Byron Brady.”

180

Alex shook his offered hand. “Glad to meet you, Byron. Reggie and Davy told me about you yesterday.”

“All lies!” he kidded with a wink.

“Come on, Preacher, you know us better,” Reggie answered.

“If you consider the nice things both these gentlemen said lies, heaven help you.”

Byron laughed. “I heard lots of flattering things about you as well. How’s the captain treating you?”

“He’s a pain sometimes, but I’m learning lots. Crazy thing; I’ve missed Troy since he left for Nova Scotia.”

“I’m sure he misses you too, love,” Davy told her, “but preseason will be here before we know it.”

“Captain should be back in town long before then,” Byron answered. “Coach will work us to death in practices long before pre and regulation seasons get underway. Nobody wants a repeat performance of last year.”

“Troy’s taking me to the Pittsburgh premiere of
Vancouver Venus
,” Alex said.

181

“Ooooooh, baby girl!” Reggie teased her. “Going on a date with the team captain! You know how to aim high.”

“Don’t be silly. He didn’t want to go alone to the premiere and I’m doing him a favor.”

“Alex was in the movie, mate,” Davy said. “Makes sense Troy would want to take her.”

“I’m actually flattered, considering he could have anyone and I’m far from the usual type for an AHC player to date,” Alex said.

Byron gave her a dumbfounded look. “Are you always this hard on yourself, Alexandra? You have plenty to offer the captain. Our Lord brought the two of you together for some good reason.”

“Yeah, how many other birds he took out know how to handle a hockey stick?” Davy asked. “Answer: zero.”

182

“Hey, guys!” Pierre called across the ice. “Anybody want to join Greise and me for lunch? If you all need an incentive, he’s picking up the tab!”

“Why not?” Reggie asked. “I’m sure all of us will find it difficult to turn down a free meal.”

***