Power Play (27 page)

321

“Are you shitting me?”

“I’m not comfortable leaving Al alone the entire week. I know firsthand how tough it is recovering from post-concussion syndrome and would feel better knowing another person’s nearby in case something goes wrong.”

“Umm…yeah. Sure, whatever you need.”

“Thanks. Take care of Al, okay?”

Jax winked and smiled. “I certainly will.”

Troy returned the wink and started to leave.

“Hey Talmadge!”

He whirled back with a quizzical expression. “Yeah?”

Jax offered his hand. “I think it’s also time we put aside our differences for Alex’s sake.”

322

They shook hands. “I have to agree, Old Man. After all, we’re stuck playing together for at least another year or two.”

“You can say that again, kid!”

A bemused Alex watched them from her spot behind the glass.
Why are Troy and Jax shaking hands and laughing? They hate each other! Something’s definitely amiss…but
what?

***

323

Chapter 53

“Troy,” Alex asked during lunch, “what’s going on with you and Jax? I saw you talking at practice this morning.”

“You could say we’ve decided to be more civil with one another.”

“Really? Whose idea was that?”

“Jax’s, believe it or not. I’m going to be straight with you. I needed to ask him a favor.”

“What was the favor?”

“He agreed to keep tabs on you while I’m at the All-Star Game.”

“I don’t need a guard dog, Troy. I’ve felt fine since leaving the hospital.”

324

“Al, post-concussion syndrome isn’t something you should take lightly.”

“Can I do
anything
without someone breathing down my neck?”

“Jax agreed to visit or call at least once a day.”

“Oh…well I still don’t understand why you’re suddenly on the same page.”

Troy smiled. “Turns out we have another common link besides hockey.”

“What?”

“We both have your best interests in mind.”

Alex narrowed her eyes. “Troy Talmadge, what kind of mischief is cooking in that head of yours?”

“I only want to make sure you’re in good hands while I’m gone.”

325

“Why not ask Reggie, Byron, or even Brian if you’re eager to have someone check on me?”

“Jax lives closer and taking you to the dinner Friday night. I would’ve asked Davy, but he’s replacing you at the All-Star Game. Don’t forget your doctor’s appointment tomorrow.”

“I have post-concussion syndrome, Troy, not completely gone senile. I put everything important into my phone.”

“Just thought I’d give you a friendly reminder anyway. Oh, I almost forgot; Reggie’s sister’s visiting.”

“I know. He mentioned something about her being in town for work and they’re attending Center Ice together.”

“Yeah, but we failed to mention why Donna’s job brought her to town. She’s making a documentary about you.”

Alex gasped
. “Me?
Why?”

326

“A considerable amount of people are fascinated with you playing in a men’s league. Not only have Rebels merchandise sales increased – not that they’ve slowed down in recent years to begin with – but there’s also renewed general interest in women’s hockey. Lots of girls and young women see you as a role model, and don’t get me started on how many teenage boys probably have you as their phone and tablet wallpapers if not their bedroom walls decorated with your poster. Donna wants to have your story told on film, perhaps shown in Cannes next spring.”

“What exactly is involved?”

“From what Reggie said, Donna wants to talk to several people in the Rebels organization. Jon and Roy have already given her the go-ahead to be interviewed and use some footage from games you’ve played; Reggie, Byron, and I agreed to be interviewed, other players will be asked to participate, and of course Donna wants to spend time with you while she’s in town.”

“Wow… I’m flattered. I’d love to help with whatever she needs.” Alex flashed a teasing smile. “Maybe you can ask your new Czech friend if he wants to be part of the project.”

327

Troy laughed. “I’ll have Reggie tell Donna to get in touch with both of you.” He kissed her cheek. “I need to pick up my tux for Friday night. Think you can behave until I return and take you to the game?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“Good girl. I should be back in about half an hour.”

***

328

Chapter 54

Alex spent the afternoon talking to Donna Hebert about the planned documentary. She supplied Donna with several old photographs, her Scottish lineage from a reputable ancestor tracing web site, elaborated on her childhood in West Virginia, four years as a struggling actress in New York, her fateful meeting with Troy on the
Vancouver Venus
set, and being drafted to the Rebels.

“Did you experience any difficulties being the American Hockey Conference’s first female player to make it past exhibition season?” Donna asked.

“I was hazed a lot in the beginning,” Alex said. “There were a few guys who got kicks out of pranking me almost every day; Jax Ivanka putting a gigantic rubber snake in my locker the worst. I despise snakes! He got quite an earful from me about his prank, and we became friends afterwards.”

329

“What do you like to do in your spare time?”

“At the moment I have plenty of spare time!” Alex replied with a laugh. “I’ve not only been exploring my Scottish roots since being inactive with my concussion, but also researched Troy’s Atlantic Canadian heritage. Atlantic Canadians are also known as Maritimers. He took a World War II course and now has me doing the same. I’m fluent in four other languages in addition to English: Czech, German, French, and American Sign Language, and collect British artifacts Davy sends or brings home when he visits London.”

“What’s your greatest dream with the Rebels?”

“To help win another Princeton Trophy for our team, of course!”

“You successfully broke the American Hockey Conference’s gender barrier. What advice do you have for women hockey players to follow in your footsteps?”

330

“They should keep in mind a path to the AHC’s not easy for men and more challenging for me. Any prospects should first get experience in junior and women’s leagues. I got lucky despite having no professional experience prior to playing for the Rebels; I doubt many other people – be they male or female – will have the same fate. Work hard nevertheless; nothing worth getting is easy.”

“A lot of fans notice chemistry between you and Troy Talmadge. Is there anything between you two away from the ice?” Donna inquired.

“Aside from a good friendship and occasional locking of horns, no; I’m still single as of this interview.”

“What’s next for you?”

“At the moment I’m concentrating on my recovery from the concussion and training for my return to the ice. I’m taking everything one day at a time; Troy always has to remind me not to overdo everything. We disagree on things sometimes like most friends do, but the bottom line is I’m more than grateful for his support and guidance.”

331

Alex and Donna continued talking until Troy was due to show for his daily visit. The two women said their goodbyes just as Troy’s car pulled beside Alex’s.

He shouted greetings at Donna, sprinted upstairs, and headed straight for Alex’s refrigerator.

“What are you doing?” she asked. “Don’t you have food at home?”

“Yeah, but I didn’t feel like sitting in traffic for another twenty-five minutes and then turn back to see you.” He opened a container and grimaced at its contents. “Al, are you by any chance conducting a mold experiment?”

“No, why?”

“Something in this blue bowl is growing hair. Fucking gross.”

“Dump out whatever it is and soak the bowl in hot soapy water.”

Troy did as requested before he resumed examining the refrigerator’s remaining items. He spied half a bag of peanut M&M’s, a bottle of white wine, and pulled out both as if they were hazardous materials.

“What’s all
this
shit?”

332

“What do they look like?”

“Al, I realize you’re on injured reserve, but it doesn’t mean you get an automatic pass to go on junk food binges and you shouldn’t be drinking.”

“I had one glass last night with dinner. God, Troy, are you going to eat something or inspect every morsel of food in my house?”

“Maybe I should take full inventory after finding your contraband. Did you train today?”

“I went to the team gym while you were at practice so I could come home before Donna showed. We did some things for her documentary.”

“Did you ladies make any progress?”

“We covered a lot of topics. Donna’s excited about her new project and neither of us can wait for the dinner tomorrow night. Reggie plans to capture some live segments.”

“Oh God, is that necessary?”

“What’s wrong?” Alex asked. “Are you concerned about Kelly? I can tell Reggie to only include you.”

333

“No, it’s …”

“Wait a minute; you’re actually worried about Jax and me!”

Realizing he’d been caught, Troy gave a quick response. “Yes.”

“I thought you two agreed to be civil.”

“We did, but I don’t want people jumping to conclusions.”

“For crying out loud, Troy, no one will care if Jax and I show up at one benefit dinner together.”

“Let’s hope that’s all he has planned.”

“Quit thinking with the wrong head. Have you seen the gorgeous European models he used to date? Let’s say I’m no threat to any of them so you can forget Jax trying anything inappropriate.”

“A forty-year-old guy going out with a girl in her early twenties looks creepy as fuck.”

“You still don’t like the idea of him being my date.”