Power Play (7 page)

71

“Jonathan Halloran, your own boss and father figure.”

“Wait! Are you trying to tell me Jon’s interested in bringing Alex to the Rebels? Why do I have difficulty believing that?”

“You’re still at the arena. Go upstairs and ask him yourself.”

“Oh my God, you
are
fucking serious. What exactly did he say?”

“Halloran’s impressed with your prowess in finding new talent. Case in point: Davy St. Cloud. I told him about the DVD clip from Alexandra’s movie you showed me and piqued his interest. The Rebels have good chances of snaring top talent for next season, and he wants to select her during June’s AHC draft.”

“Holy shit; I don’t know how you managed to pull it off, Glenn. If the Rebels get Alex, they’ll make fucking history!”

“Remember to keep quiet; neither Halloran nor I want anything being leaked to the media before we’re ready.”

72

“I didn’t hear anything you said,” Troy joked. “On a serious note, I appreciate everything you’re doing for Alex. What made you decide to represent her?”

“I got positive vibes from her during our meeting and figured she’d stand out more in professional hockey than lost in the shuffle of other pretty starlets waiting for their big breaks in movies.”

“See? I told you she was special.”

“Now you’re gloating.”

“Of course I am. Go ahead and say it, Glenn.”

“Fine, Troy, you were right. Happy now?”

“I’m thrilled. Now you’ve given me another excuse to attend AHC Draft Day.”

73

“You better be there since you found her in the first place. She’ll need the support, especially since Halloran’s taking a chance on her the same way he did you and St. Cloud.”

“Consider my seat reserved; I’d love nothing more than to see Alex’s and the media’s reactions when her name is called.”

“I have a feeling that will be one of AHC Draft Day’s most shocking moments.”

“I hope you’re right. Shit, I got a text from the coach for a team meeting and need to go. Thanks for keeping me in the loop, Glenn.”

***

74

Chapter 17

“Is it true?” Jennifer asked.

Alex gave her roommate and friend a confused look. “Is what true?”

“Greg said you’re giving up acting to play professional hockey.”

“Where did he get that idea?”

“A friend of his and Beau’s happens to be a client of Doris Mullens. Word buzzing around her office is you’re now being represented by big time sports agent Glenn Collins.”

“Well yes, but I’m still considering any decent offers coming through Doris’ office and been shortlisted to audition for
Office Girls 2,
thanks partially to Connor Francis. Did anyone mention
that?”

75

Jennifer shrugged. “Yeah, in passing, but most gossip is about how you signed with the Collins Agency and might get picked to play with a pro women’s hockey team. How did all that happen anyway?”

“Troy Talmadge visited the set while in Vancouver for a game,” Alex said. “He liked a scene I did in
Vancouver Venus
and got the crazy idea I should play women’s hockey for real.”

“Wait…
the
Pittsburgh Rebels’ Troy Talmadge?”

“Are there any others? I didn’t know you followed hockey aside from what we watch together on occasion. I had you tagged as a puck bunny.”

“My brother’s a big fan,” Jennifer replied, “but wow, Alex, getting noticed by him is almost like something out of a movie!”

“Even the industry’s top screenwriters and filmmakers could never recreate the moment.”

“So have you gotten offers to play for any teams?”

76

“Not yet. I’ve loved acting since I was six years old and the whole hockey foolishness may not work out. I’m still signed with Doris until our agreement expires or I no longer need her services. To be honest, I’m more hyped about reading for
Office Girls 2
next Tuesday.”

“I don’t know how you can think about auditions or gigs after your athletic talent was noticed by an AHC top star,” Jennifer said. “He’s been on talk shows, athletic wear ads, and a couple TV commercials; won two gold medals–”

Alex put up a hand to stop her. “Jen, take a deep breath. I’m well aware of Troy’s accomplishments.”

“Then what’s stopping you from pursuing hockey, especially when a famous, hot and super talented guy thinks you’re the bomb diggity? You could still occasionally make movies, TV commercials or appear in theater productions during the hockey offseason.”

“Aren’t you thinking a little too far ahead? There’s no guarantee a team will express interest in me. Let’s just take things one day at a time. By the way, I promised to call Troy after returning to New York, and I’ve already been home four days.”

77

“You have his phone number?”

“Yes, and don’t even think about asking for it.”

“Why? You’re so mean!”

“I respect Troy’s privacy. Now if you don’t mind, I need to check in with him and Glenn.”

***

Glenn Collins sat at his desk, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. The day was chaotic with athlete trades throughout various sporting leagues, Jolene forgetting to inform him of an important call, and quelling the same rumors that sprouted near end of the Rebels’ season each year: Troy Talmadge wanted to leave despite having a no-trade clause in his contract.

Troy Parker Talmadge
. Glenn knew he signed a winner when the then- seventeen-year-old from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia began his rise to fame and fortune as the Pittsburgh Rebels’ first draft choice at a time when others his age looked forward to proms and graduations.

78

Troy continued to grow in popularity and rack up individual accolades into his twenties, but remained down to earth with endearing quirks. In a world where sports agents and teams had more than their share of “stars gone wild” headaches, Troy’s “good boy” image was a breath of fresh air in the AHC.

He appealed to a wide range of fans. Kids of both genders wanted to be like him when they grew up. Teenage girls wrote fan fiction and dreamed about dating him. Young coeds, puck bunnies, and bored middle-aged housewives yearned to fuck him. Senior citizens viewed him as the ideal son and grandson.

Troy Talmadge was disliked throughout the hockey fandom as he was revered, his vanilla persona the media’s favorite topic for ridicule. He drew fire from opposing teams’ fans with chants of “Talmadge sucks!" or "Tammy Tantrum!" for profanity-laden objections to referees’ calls against his team and often the butt of pranks pulled by fellow players not so enthralled with his degree of notoriety.

79

He continued to be an asset to both the Rebels and Glenn by adding flair of spotting fresh talent to his arsenal. Some of Troy’s discoveries were less than stellar  –  two being model-turned-tennis player Katie Redmond and figure skater Moira Woodfield – but he’d struck gold finding Olympic silver medalist Oliver David “Davy” St. Cloud among other young sports prodigies currently represented by The Collins Agency.

His thoughts were interrupted by a buzzing intercom. “Yes, Jolene?”

“Alex Galloway is on line one, sir.”

He waited a few moments before his newest client came on the line. “Mr. Collins?”

“Alexandra, glad you called!” Glenn cheerfully greeted her. “I have some news.”

“Is it true that you want to get me into the American Hockey Conference?”

“Ah, you spoke with Ms. Mullens.”

80

“Yes, and I can’t help but wonder what prompted you to consider me for a
men’s
league.”

“Alexandra, I’m going to tell you the same thing I said to Troy. You possess great skill and talent, both which would be wasted in the Women’s Hockey League or even the Ladies Hockey League of Canada. I know both of you think I’ve lost my mind, but I stand by the belief that you could make an impact in the American Hockey Conference. Therefore, I want you to be present on AHC Draft Day.”

“I honestly don’t think any teams would–” Alex began.

“Oh, I beg to differ. I can say for sure one owner who owed me a favor expressed interest.”

“Come on; you’re kidding me.”

“I can’t tell you which owner or team yet since there are higher risks of leaks to the media this time of year and no guarantees you’ll be selected, but Troy’s planning to attend the draft.”

“When will he have time to come? I read he’s spending this summer playing with Team Canada at Internationals, and then running a hockey clinic for kids in Nova Scotia.”

81

“Internationals start in early May for two weeks and Troy’s clinic isn’t scheduled until August. The AHC’s draft is mid-June, and Troy made a commitment to attend. We both want to see you succeed, and he needs back his smile after hellish roller coaster season.”

“What should I expect?” Alex asked.

“Someone should contact you with further details,” Glenn replied, “but be sure to wear professional attire. If you’ve seen past drafts on television, this year’s will be similar, only with different names.”

“Thanks for the advance warning. I’m rather nervous, though.”

“I’m sure you’ll have a pleasant experience, Alexandra.”

“It will help a bit with you and Troy there. I should call and thank him for everything.”

***

82

Chapter 18

Alex dialed Troy’s number following her conversation with Glenn. The
Office Girls 2
audition no longer seemed important even if she planned to keep the appointment out of obligations to Connor Francis and Doris, but perhaps Troy and Glenn were right. Her future
was
in professional hockey.

Troy sounded tired and annoyed when he answered the phone. “Yeah, what do you want?”

“It’s Alex Galloway. I’m sorry that–”

His tone turned cheerful. “Al! I was beginning to think you forgot about me. How is everything in New York? Have you and Glenn been in touch?

“It’s the same old New York and I just talked to him before calling you.”

83

“I’m going to guess you already know about June’s AHC draft.”

“Yeah, Glenn said you plan to come. Congratulations on joining Team Canada for Internationals, by the way.”

“Thanks. Did you call your parents? I’m sure they’d like to be there.”

“Not possible; my mother ran off when I was three months old and Papa died four years ago.”

“Jesus, Al, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to be insensitive…”

“It’s okay. You didn’t know and it’s nice you considered my family.”

“Do you have any siblings?”

“No, I’m an only child.”

“How about a boyfriend you can invite?”