Power Play (46 page)

555

“Some people discuss strategies in other languages, mate,” Davy replied. “Don’t take it personal.”

“We’ll arrive in New York in about ten minutes,” Coach Barry announced. “Finish whatever you were doing and prepare for landing.”

Davy pulled a candid photo of Jennifer from his wallet. “Only a matter of time before we see one another again, my lovely lass.”

Reggie spied the picture. “Whoa! Who’s that fine lady?”

“Her name’s Jennifer and she’s an actress. Alex introduced us. I arranged to have her attend a game when we came back to New York.”

“You and Ivanka must have some kind of magnetism. He’s spent lots of time with Alex and now I learn you’ve landed yourself an actress.”

“We’ll have rest of the evening after getting settled in the hotel and a team meeting,” Davy said. “Want to meet her? She should be done on the movie set by the time our business wraps up.”

“Hey, that sounds cool. Maybe she has a single friend.”

“Only one way to find out, mate.”

556

“Hey, guys!” Lenny called and pointed at his smart phone’s screen. “A couple sports news sites are saying some investors could make a bid on the Rebels!”

“Who?” Brian asked.

“No one knows who they are or how much a bid they’re planning to make or the percentage of ownership.”

“The team’s for sale? Where the hell was I when all this happened?” Marty wondered.

“Try paying closer attention in meetings, dope fuck. Halloran’s considered selling his share the team for some time.”

“I better call my agent and see if he’s aware of any possible sale.”

“Wait until we get to the hotel,” Brian advised. “We’re landing in five minutes and then have a long couple days ahead of us.”

***

557

Chapter 89

“Why did you tell Pierre I’m pregnant?” Alex asked after the team checked into their respective hotel rooms. “You had the audacity to complain when I gave Jen and Phyllis the news, only to turn around and run your mouth to our goalie.”

“We spoke in French,” Troy replied.

“French is one of four languages I know, remember?”

“He’s concerned why you’re sick so often.”

“You do realize Reggie, Vince, and Brian also know some French. What if they overheard you talking and translated to the other guys?”

“They were too busy fucking around with Marty to pay attention. Your secret’s still safe.”

“All right.”

558

“I’m sorry, Al; I still can’t wrap my head around–”

“No, it’s not a big deal. There’s one thing I wanted to make sure I heard correctly, though.”

“What?”

“Did you really want to marry me and take responsibility for the baby if Jax didn’t…?”

“Yeah, but I guess that’s now a moot point, huh?”

Alex kissed his cheek. “I shouldn’t be surprised.”

Troy shook his head and smiled. “Just me being Mr. Predictable. I’m everyone’s favorite hockey robot.”

“It still amazes me you’re aware of your predictability, yet embarrassed by it. Why?”

“Personal growth?”

“My triple gold mentor has become quite the jokester.”

“You and Jax …it’s still weird…” he trailed off.

559

“Whoa, I thought you were okay with my decision to marry him.”

He sighed. “Look, maybe just as well things turned out the way they have. A marriage between you and me would’ve been for the wrong reasons and I have few strong points to offer a wife right now.”

“Are you crazy? You’ll make a wonderful husband for some lucky girl! Your strengths have always been kindness, focus, single mindedness, admirable work ethic, great with kids, your compassion-”

“Again, not groundbreaking observations, Al.”

“Everything’s always wrapped in neat little boxes in your mind, aren‘t they?”

“I guess so; another reason you’d become bored with me as a spouse.”

“Listen,” she said in a softer voice, “I’m not trying to be a pain in the ass and you don’t have to answer right away, but do you
really
support my decision to marry Jax?”

“I can’t say I’m enthused, but he is your baby’s father. Don’t live for my approval, Al; listen to what your heart and mind tell you.”

560

“That’s so deep, Troy.”

“Thanks…I think.”

“Stop pouting like a six-year-old. We’re still going to Casino Night together. Good thing the benefit’s next week and not in a few months. I don’t think someone with a big belly working the front door would be an ideal image for our team.”

His mood brightened a little. “You’d still be one of the night’s biggest hits, showing or not.”

“In what way?”

“Fans love pretty ladies; at least most of the
male
ones do.”

“You also have plenty of male admirers.”

He looked down at the floor and blushed. “So I hear…”

“I’m aware of the relationship you had with a man, Troy, and not judging you. You have no reason to be embarrassed. Love is love, no matter the gender of each partner.”

“I’ve put everything in the past and don’t want to discuss it further, Al.”

561

“I understand. How about joining me and some of the other guys for cards? Boris says you have mad poker skills.”

“Now that you mentioned it, I could use some extra practice for next week. Deal me in; pun intended.”

“Now that’s the Troy I know and love! Come on; I’m in the mood to show up Lenny’s smug ass and need some pointers. Jax may be a master at hockey, tennis, and soccer, but didn’t take long for me to realize he all but lacks proficiency in most card games.”

Troy feigned shock. “You mean your impromptu fiancé isn’t perfect as almost everyone makes him out to be?”

Alex gave him a playful nudge. “No one is, you goober. Look at it this way; you beat his team at Internationals not once, but
twice
, remember?”

“Yeah,” he replied with a laugh, “and then Team USA kicked Czech ass in the bronze medal game. Jax was pissed for about two weeks afterward.”

“Sometimes I think he takes hockey a little too seriously. There’s another common interest between both of you; each has a passion for the game few others possess.”

“You’re not far behind in that respect, shorty.”

562

“Well I’m not disciplined as you and Jax are.”

“Stick with us long enough and you will be.”

“I hope so; something tells me keeping up with a human dynamo like Jax won’t be an easy task after we’re married.”

“Can you imagine the guy another ten years? We’re discussing someone who wants to stay in the AHC until he’s
fifty.”

“I don’t see a problem if he’s still healthy. What about you? Will you still whack the biscuit and light the lamp at forty?”

Troy shook his head. “I’ll probably hang up my skates before then. Hey, while we’re talking about future plans, I hear you and Jax oversee a hockey franchise in Prague.”

“Yes; the team almost went bankrupt before Jax bought a considerable portion of it. Another guy and I are co-owners, but the biggest share belongs to Jax.”

“Did you ever think about investing in an AHC franchise?”

“Troy, does this pertain to rumors Mr. Halloran may sell his share of the Rebels?”

563

“Yeah, I’m worried other shareholders may move the Rebels to another city if Jon decides to sell. I love Pittsburgh, Al. I’ll take a fucking early retirement before participating in an organization turning its back on the city that played a huge role in bringing us where we are today.”

“So you may put in an offer?” Alex asked. “Troy, we’re talking
millions.
I know you earn an outstanding salary, done tons of endorsements, and have investments of your own, but–”

“Hold up, shorty. I’m only thinking about the idea right now. Jon and I have been close for the last decade, so there’s a good chance you and I could buy out his share for practically a steal if he
does
decide to sell.”

“I’ll have to think over things and talk with my lawyer. I don’t want to deal with possible conflicts of interest. I may sell back my part of the Prague team to Jax if you and I plan to invest in the Rebels.”

“Good idea; it wouldn’t hurt either of us to further explore our options. Now let’s go kick some ass at poker. Maybe some winnings could be put toward our next possible endeavor.”

564

“In your dreams, Troy,” Alex replied and slipped her arm in his. “In your dreams.”

***

565

Chapter 90

Alex sat near the glass during morning practice slightly tired from the previous night’s poker game. She watched her teammates with longing and admiration as they shot pucks across the ice or worked on planned strategies for that night’s game. Jax often stopped between drills to check on Alex to the point he began grating her nerves.

“Will you calm down and concentrate on practicing?” she scolded him at one point.
“Jsem těhotná, Jax, není neplatná.”

“Vypadáš unaveně. Bojím se o vás a dítě.”

“Believe me, you’d be the first to know if anything was wrong.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Now get back to drills before Coach Barry has a stroke and you drive me insane.”

He gave her a mock salute. “As you wish, dear lady.”

566

“What’s his problem?” a voice asked.

Alex turned and spotted her old roommate behind her. “Jen, what a pleasant surprise!”

“Davy invited me to practice after we had breakfast. Mind if I join you?”

“I could use the company. Jax has been an annoyance all morning.”

Jennifer leaned in and lowered her voice to a near-whisper. “He’s the father?”

“Yeah and seems to think I’ll die if he doesn’t bother me every ten minutes. I’m surprised Coach Barry hasn’t yet read him the riot act.”

“You could be worse off, Alex. Some guys would’ve either pushed for an abortion or beaten a path to parts unknown once they learned of a pregnancy.”

“Most people know my stand on abortion, and I’d nevertheless kept the baby.”

“How would you have managed raising a child alone with your hockey career?”

“The same way practically every working mother does.”