Power Play (9 page)

96

Chapter 21

One month later:

Alex had not settled in Troy’s home thirty-six hours before he started driving her crazy. The nitpicking began when he studied the contents she’d placed in one of the guest room’s closet.

“You have to be the first woman I know who doesn’t own at least one dress or pair of high heels.”

“Why, are they fetishes of yours or something?”

“Stop being a smart ass, Al. You’ll need something decent to wear to Draft Day.”

“Since when did Team Canada winning a third gold medal qualify you to give fashion advice? I bought a nice pantsuit and dress flats at Saks OFF 5th before leaving New York for that purpose.”

97

Troy pulled the garment in question from her closet and made a disapproving face. “I hope you don’t plan to wear this shit.”

“I like the color, it’s comfortable, and the price was a steal, at least by New York standards.”

“Well now you’re in Pittsburgh and need a nice dress.”

“Oh
hell
no! I came to play hockey, not compete in a damn beauty pageant. Just because you’re used to blonde puck bimbos, socialites, and supermodels–”

He held up a hand. “Stop! Looking part of professional athlete is only the beginning.”

“Good, I can do that in my new pantsuit and flats.”

“No way; I’m having the guy who designs my suits create a nice dress for you. I got measurements from your theatrical portfolio.”

“Oh hey, thanks for not consulting me, dickhead.”

98

“Al, TV cameras are going to be everywhere on Draft Day and it’s important to look professional, especially when you’re selected for a team.”

“Someone seems confident I’ll be drafted. Do you superstars have psychic gifts or inside knowledge the rest of us lack?”

“No, I still have a feeling something big will happen.” Troy picked up a Chanel shoebox from the bed and pulled off its lid. “What do you think?”

She glanced at the contents. “Are you trying to make me break my neck?”

“The heels are only three inches. Will it kill you to make an effort to look ladylike for a whole day?”

“Exactly how much of my shit did you go through after I unpacked? I swear to God, Troy, if you touched one piece of my underwear–”

“Whoa, even I have limits! Come on; try on these shoes.”

Glaring, Alex kicked off cloth sneakers and socks she wore and slipped on the heels. “These things feel awkward.”

99

“You’ll get used to wearing heels. They look nice on you as I imagined.”

She placed the shoes in their box. “Are you sure this isn’t to satisfy some fetish of yours?”

“You’re a funny lady. Now take down your hair.”

“What?”

Come on, Al; I’ve never seen you without a braid, ponytail, or sloppy bun.”

“Prior to me moving here, you only saw me twice while we were in Vancouver,” she reminded him.

“Take down the hair,” Troy said.

“I would’ve stayed in New York had I known in advance what you’re really like.”

“You’ll thank me someday.”

“Now you sound like Papa when he was alive. No thanks; I’ve gotten along without a father figure the last four years.”

100

“Down with the hair.”

She sighed and heeded his request. “There. Are you satisfied?”

“Keep your hair that way more often. You look beautiful.”

“Sure, because I always loved having it in my face.”

“At least keep it down on Draft Day.”

Alex snorted. “Any other input to offer while you’re critiquing my wardrobe and appearance?”

“Yeah, I’ll help you start working out tomorrow morning. No offense, but you’re a little round on the bottom.”

“This coming from the guy with a huge badonkadonk anyone can spot from three city blocks. Unlike you slim-hipped male creatures, we were built to bear young.”

“No excuses, Al; you’ll need both upper and lower body strength to play the game.”

101

“Now I’m convinced you have a secret desire to torture women. What’s for lunch? I could go for a giant burger.”

“Not a good idea. You have a twelve-thirty appointment with my team’s nutritionist.”

“Troy, are you trying to kill me? One cannot live on boiled eggs, dry ass bird food cereal, and fruit alone.”

“No, just pointing you in the right direction. I made great efforts to get this appointment with Janet, so at least take some of her advice.”

“Fine, I’m not the one with more money than sense.”

“I’m only doing this for your own good, Al.”

“Do you drive all your house guests equally insane?”

“I don’t have guests very often…”

“Shit, I wonder why?” Alex asked with a touch of sarcasm.

“We also need to work on that mouth of yours.”

102

“Wait a minute; it’s okay for
you
to drop the F bomb at random, pitch bitch fits because the Rebels’ playoff season ended early this year, and talk dirty with your buddies, but
I
can’t say ‘shit’ or speak my mind? Sorry, I don’t believe in double standards. You may as well give up while you’re ahead because there’s no way in hell I’m becoming the dainty proper and reticent type in order to fulfill some little fantasy of yours.”

“Better you learn from me than some hard-hitting PR suits,” Troy said. “Look, once you’re drafted by a team, you become part of their brand. We’re not only about what happens on the ice, but also away from it. No matter who or where we are, there are guarantees that someone’s watching, be it fans, the media, and yes, even haters waiting for someone to mess up in public and provide material for the Internet, TV ratings, or selling papers.”

“Big deal; similar situations happen everywhere and most athletes curse at one time or another.”

103

“Another part of your attitude that needs put to rest. I’m not saying you have to sit by quietly and look pretty, but try to cut down on the sarcasm and smart mouth. Both may have worked in New York, but Pittsburghers tend to be more laid back and put off by what’s viewed as coarse and overbearing behaviors.”

“In other words, you moved me to a city full of wimps.”

“Not exactly; people here are friendly, but they’re not as…
aggressive…
when dealing with situations they dislike.”

“You mean no one here gets salty when they disapprove of how things are going at work like present company’s been guilty of doing?”

“Whatever happened to the nice West Virginia girl Ms. Mullens told me and Glenn about?”

“That Alex disappeared not long after I arrived in New York, hence loss of my former hackneyed accent through acting and vocal lessons. By the way, I like yours. Think you can give me a refresher course on all things Canadian?”

104

“Maybe some other day; right now we need to move if you’re going to make the nutritionist’s appointment on time.”

“Has anyone ever said you’re a pain in the ass?”

“All twenty-seven years of my life. Come on, grab your stuff and put on some shoes. I’m ready to leave.”

***

105

Chapter 22

Glenn contacted Troy the week following Alex’s arrival in Pittsburgh. “How are things progressing with your latest protégé?”

Troy groaned. “Some days I regret the decision of moving her in with me.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Let’s see, where shall I begin? Al insisted on wearing a hideous pantsuit on Draft Day until I somehow talked her out of it. Glenn, the woman didn’t own a single dress until my tailor made her one, and don’t get me started on some of her strange eating habits.”

“Not everyone eats peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at five o’clock, Troy.”

106

“That’s not what I meant. Al has to be the only girl I’ve met in my lifetime who ate a whole bag of peanut M&M’s and washed them down with Diet Pepsi less than an hour following a nutritionist’s appointment. Then she bitched at me the other morning because I don’t keep coffee in my house. I think she secretly enjoys pissing me off.”

“You’re not going to transform Alexandra in a week. She has habits and rituals like anyone else, but it’s okay to cut her slack in some areas. Nobody said she needs turned into a female version of you.”

“I’m not trying to make her my mirror image. If she’s going to be part of the Rebels, there are a lot of important areas on which she needs to be kept up to speed.”

“You didn’t tell her about Halloran being–” Glenn began.

“No,” Troy cut him off. “Only that I predicted something big may happen at the draft.”

“Good. I know you’re excited, but we have to keep your boss’ interest in Alexandra under wraps for at least two more weeks.”

107

“I won’t make any guarantees Al will be totally Rebels-worthy civilized by then, especially after this morning. All she wants to do is argue when I make any suggestions.”

“Why, what happened?”

“I planned to sleep in on the rare off day I had, but instead got a rude awakening to her running the vacuum cleaner early this morning. ‘Al, it’s eight-thirty. What are you doing?’ I asked. ‘Cleaning up,’ she said. ‘Cleaning up
what,
for Christ’s sake? The housekeeper just came yesterday.’ ‘It’s the least I could do for my room and board, Troy.’ Jesus, Glenn; when I say anything to her about room and board or doing chores?”

“Sounds like a cross between female instincts and her trying to be polite.”

“She’s my protégé, not a maid,” Troy said. “I already pay someone to keep the house clean.”

“Didn’t I warn you Alexandra could possibly be a handful?” Glenn asked.

“Yeah, but I never thought she’d be this bad.”

108

“Well take into consideration she spent four years here in New York. Life in Pittsburgh is a lot different.”

“That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to get through Al’s thick skull. I can’t understand why she needs to mouth off at every turn, and some of the language she’s used could make the entire Rebels team and coaching staff blush.”

“You’re no saint in that respect either, young man,” Glenn replied.

“I know, but I’m usually pissed when my coarse language starts. Al thinks it’s normal to drop in a filthy word every other sentence. What is she trying to prove?”

“Maybe working on being one of the guys; short girls like Alexandra tend to have a bit more fire power, and that probably drew Halloran to her in the first place.”

“Well she needs to calm down before the draft. Last thing you and I need is she doing or saying something embarrassing, especially in front of Jon and Roy.”

“No one is perfect at twenty-two, Troy. Be patient and don’t lean on her so hard.”