Power Play (37 page)

447

Troy raised an eyebrow. “Think your fuck buddy would be okay with that arrangement?”

“Shhh, be quiet! The world doesn’t need to know my personal business. Jax and I aren’t having sex twenty-four hours a day; we also spend time doing other things. How else did you think I’ve progressed so well in my workouts?”

“I’m teasing you, Al.”

“I’m sure you are.” A smirk appeared on her face. “Davy filled me in a couple months ago on your little
ménage à trois
in Anaheim.”

“That little English shit! He and Boris promised to keep everything under wraps.”

“Davy and I keep almost no secrets from each other, just like you and I shouldn’t. I’m not mad anymore, Troy. You have needs like any other man in his twenties and it’s not like we’re a couple.”

“In other words you won’t cut off my balls and put them up for auction?”

“No, but I’d have no problem castrating Jax if he ever said anything in the locker room about what we do in bed…” She paused. “…and other places.”

448

“Other places?
You little wild woman; so that’s how you manage to keep Ivanka wrapped around your pinky finger.”

“I have more tricks too,” she coyly replied before they tackled their lunch orders.

He cleared his throat and gulped some water. “I’m not bothering to ask.”

“Good, because I would never tell you anyway.”

“I thought you wanted few secrets between us,” he kidded.

“There are certain things better off
not
shared. I don’t need to know gory details of what you do with girls in bed any more than you and Davy need to hear about my sex life with Jax.”

“You’re right; I’ve already been subjected to seeing Ivanka naked in the locker room more times than I care to count.”

“You’d love to be in the same great shape at forty years old. Admit it.”

449

“Who wouldn’t? Speaking of which, you look fantastic enough to play tomorrow night.”

“Let’s not go nuts, Troy. I probably won’t be activated before middle of next week.”

“I know, but could you imagine the crowd reaction?”

“Things will be lively enough my first official night back in the lineup.”

“I can hardly wait.”

“You always were my biggest fan.”

“To say the least.”

A small voice interrupted them. “Hi.”

Alex looked down and smiled at a dark-eyed boy about six years old. “Hi!”

“Are you really Alex Galloway and Troy Talmadge?”

“Last time we checked, little man,” Troy replied with a chuckle.

450

“Can you sign something for me?”

“I’d love to,” Alex said. “What do you have?”

The child pushed a napkin across the table. “This.”

“Anthony!” his mother cried. “Don’t bother people while they’re eating.”

“Not a problem,” Troy assured her while autographing the napkin. “Fans play a big part in us loving what we do.”

The mother pulled out a smartphone. “I don’t want to appear rude but…could my son have a photo with you?”

“You’re not rude at all,” Alex assured her. “What do you think about a picture with our new friend, Troy?”

“I’m game if you are, Al.”

Both stood and squatted beside Anthony while his mother took the photo.

“Now what do you say to these nice people?” she asked when they finished.

“Thank you!” Anthony cheerfully replied before he scampered off.

451

“Another thing I missed while on injured reserve,” Alex said as she watched them leave.

“Interacting with the younger fans?” Troy asked. “Nothing’s a bigger perk in this sport than seeing kids happy.”

“I can’t wait until I have my own.”

“I’d love to get married someday and have a bunch of kids.”

“I never heard anyone your age wanting a large family,” Alex said. “Are you planning to create your own hockey team or something?”

“No, but my mom’s the youngest of six kids and huge family gatherings are always a fun time for me. I also see some of the other guys’ kids everywhere, but they all play together and well-behaved most of the time. How many do you want?”

“Probably three or four; growing up an only child sucked even if I had a wonderful father.”

“Yeah, know what you mean. I was also one for ten years before Louise was born.”

452

“Didn’t you resent sharing your parents with her after being the sole child all those years?”

“Not in the least; Louise and I have been close since day one.”

“She’s a lucky girl.”

“Thanks. So are you ready for that strawberry pie?”

“Yes,” Alex replied with a smile, “but let’s have one slice with
two
forks.”

***

453

Chapter 72

The ride home was mostly quiet; Alex began to doze not long after she and Troy left the restaurant’s parking lot. He smiled at her sleeping figure when her head plopped on his shoulder, elated they would soon again skate on the ice together before thousands of fans.

She jolted awake when he slammed the brakes and yelled “Pick a lane, asshole!”

“Calm down, Troy. We’ll make it home soon enough.”

“Sure, but I’d like us to get there alive. Damn Pittsburgh drivers.”

“If you think people in traffic here are bad, try negotiating New York’s for about a week.”

“No thanks; I deal with enough crazies as it is.”

“Including me?” she teased.

454

Troy laughed and mussed her hair. “You’ve had moments of being a total pain in my ass, but I don’t mind the other ninety-nine percent of the time.”

Alex stifled a yawn. “I could say the same about you.”

“Are you tired? We can find a shortcut home.”

“I didn’t sleep well last night and had a long morning but you don’t need to take any shortcuts. I’ll have rest of the day to take a nap.”

“Relax much as you can now, shorty, because the other guys and I will start working you hard in the near future.”

“After sixteen missed games, several intense practices and workouts sound like heaven.”

“I knew I liked most of your attitude for some reason.”

“You have a strange way of showing it at times.”

“Someone has to keep you in line. Jax spoiled you.”

Alex snorted. “What’s he done – besides the obvious – that you haven’t?”

455

“Hmmm, let’s see; your newest piece of jewelry, rich meals and junk food indulgences, letting you drink while healing from a concussion–”

“I haven’t had any alcohol since my first night at Jax’s place.”

“Good for you, shorty. You’ll need more discipline once back on active status.”

“No kidding, Captain Obvious,” she kidded. “Are you going to crack me with a whip?”

“I may be tempted,” he joked in response. “Don’t tell me Jax is into that kind of shit.”

“No, just whispering naughty Czech words into my ear, tying me up with scarves, biting, and light spanking. He’s quite creative.”

“Sounds more like a freak.”

“The wholesome good Canadian boy act may deceive many people, Troy, but I’ve seen sides of you they haven’t. Someone on a puck bunny message board once said a certain person in my presence is kind of rough in bed and enjoys pulling hair and dirty talk. Sound familiar?”

456

His face and ears turned crimson. “Do you believe everything you read?”

“So it is true.”

“Who said anything was?”

“I’ll take you blushing as a yes. Busted.”

“Let’s change the subject. My friend Jay is getting married Saturday. Do you have any plans?”

She gave him a perplexed look. “You can’t find any volunteers to go as your date?”

“I’d prefer you.”

“Sure, I’ll dig up something decent to wear when I get home.”

“Do you still have that dress from the
Vancouver Venus
premiere? You looked hot in it.”

“Troy Talmadge, are you trying to flirt with me?”

He blushed a second time. “No, only making a suggestion.”

457

“I’m sure taking out that dress from its dry cleaner bag for a second wearing won’t hurt since you obviously liked seeing me in it. Don’t count on me wearing high heels, especially in the middle of winter.”

“Oh yeah, remind me to check the weekend weather forecast,” Troy replied. “I’m not driving anywhere if the city’s ass deep in snow.”

“Good idea.”

Troy pulled in front of her apartment building. “Thanks for a fun afternoon. Want to drop by practice tomorrow morning?”

“I’ll have to meet with the bosses, so more than likely.”

“Awesome! I can come by at seven-thirty; we’ll have the rink to ourselves about an hour for shooting a few pucks.”

Alex winked at him. “You’ve got a hockey date.”

***

458

Chapter 73

“Now here’s a side of Alex Galloway people should see more often,” Troy said with an appreciative smile when he picked her up Saturday evening.

His eyes fell on one of her wrists. “Hey, you’re wearing the bracelet I gave you!”

“Told you I only bring it out for special occasions. You look striking as usual. Nice watch by the way. The thing would cover my entire post-concussion medical expenses.”

“You think it’s too pretentious?”

“No way; you’ve earned every penny of that twelve million. By all means, enjoy every moment. What I make is chicken feed in comparison.”

“You’ve done well salary wise. Glenn mentioned something about renegotiating your contract after the season ends.”