“Joining the Rebels wasn’t my idea. Troy tried to convince Glenn Collins to have me signed to a team in either the Women’s Hockey League or the Ladies Hockey League of Canada, but Glenn decided I’d have a better shot on an AHC team. Mr. Halloran agreed and here I am.”
“You’ve brought us a lot of newfound attention.”
“You haven’t done badly yourself. I remember reading the story about a certain Czech teenager who became an AHC Draft fifth overall pick in the early 1990’s, spoke practically no English, and struggled during the first few months of his rookie year. Looks like you and I have more in common than most people think.”
“Your English is perfect,” Jax replied in jest.
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His cheery nature made her laugh. “I hope so! Yours has come a long way.”
“Well, it’s no longer the early 1990’s and I’m not exclusively in Czechoslovakia anymore.”
Their limo stopped at the arena’s talent entrance, a door of which both Jax and Alex were well familiar.
Blue eyes met violet ones. “We’ve arrived at our destination, Miss Galloway. Are you ready to charm the masses?”
“Sure, let’s go give those people something to talk about!”
***
350
Gasps, open-mouthed stares, and whispers filled the room when Alex entered on Jax’s arm.
“Is this some kind of bad joke?” Marty asked no one in particular. “I remember when Galloway all but castrated Ivanka for his snake prank, and now they’re appearing at benefits together?”
Byron smiled and waved at the pair. “Alexandra’s looking much better. Medical leave suits her well.”
“She and Jax look cute,” Kelly commented and poked Troy. “What do you think?”
He cleared his throat. “Uh…Ivanka and Al make an interesting pair, to say the least.”
“Troy still jealous,” Boris knowingly commented.
“Not tonight, Boris.”
“Why? You are.”
“I am not; matter of fact, I’m getting along better with Ivanka.”
“Yeah, because you want Alex and he has her.”
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Lulu nudged him. “No tease Troy, Boris. Not funny.”
“He pick on me sometimes.”
“Still no excuse. You behave.”
Vince laughed as Marty made whip-cracking gestures and whooshing sounds.
Troy glowered at them. “Can you two at least make the effort to act your ages for a whole evening?”
“Two chances for that happening,” Marty replied.
“Slim and none,” Vince added.
“Christ, why you two got placed at our table remains a mystery.”
“Live a little, Troy,” Reggie joshed. “You have to admit O’Freel and Beaumont make a cute couple.”
Vince whacked his head. “Shut up, Hebert! You brought your sister.”
“What’s wrong with that?” Troy wondered. “I took Louise to the AHC awards last year. Besides, Donna’s filming a documentary about Al.”
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Marty’s ears perked. “Wait, what? I could see a why a DVD set for Ivanka is on the market since he’s future Hall of Fame material, but what’s so special about Galloway? She’s only a rookie.”
“News flash, Marty,” Donna said. “She’s the first woman to succeed in an all-men’s league. I’d say that’s beyond something special.”
Reggie agreed with his older sister. “Not to mention Alex makes a great role model for young girls.”
“How has she been feeling since her injury?” Kelly asked.
“Al’s tough,” Troy answered. “She’s bouncing back faster than anyone expected.”
Vince jerked his head toward another table where Alex and Jax sat hand in hand among other guests. “Galloway’s bouncing back all right. Looks like she and Ivanka are quite cozy.”
“No dirty thoughts, Vince,” Boris scolded him. “Alex nice girl.”
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“Unlike two certain bozos in our presence,” Brian replied.
“Love you too, Donahue,” Vince quipped.
Troy craned his head in the direction of Alex’s table with a frown, but remained silent.
“Everything okay, Captain?” Byron asked.
“Uh, yeah, sure.” Al and Jax hand in hand? What the hell?
“Oh, isn’t that cute?” Marty taunted. “Talmadge’s girl and Ivanka holding hands and wearing coordinated outfits.”
“She isn’t my girl, O’Freel,” Troy groused.
“Then why the look as if you’re ready to pop an artery?”
“Nothing.”
“Ooookay then.”
“Marty, knock it off,” Byron interjected. “Let’s just enjoy dinner and meet some good-hearted people who bought tickets. A lot of kids will benefit from tonight, thanks to lots of generous souls.”
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Reggie raised his glass. “Amen to that, Preacher!”
Brian spotted Greise enter with his fiancée. “Looks like Faust and Aunt Granny are sitting at the same table as Alex and Ivanka.”
Hannah elbowed her husband in the ribs. “Stop with the name calling. Her name’s Brenda.”
“Whatever; for allegedly being twenty five, the woman looks a month older than water and like she had a ten-century start on Faust.”
“Brenda must possess some endearing qualities for Greise to give her an engagement ring.”
“Yeah, Aunt Granny must be some wild piece of ass,” Marty cracked.
“O’Freel!” Troy hissed. “Stop with the crude remarks.”
“I’m only stating an opinion. Aren’t some German dudes kinky anyway?”
Troy shot him a warning glare. “I wouldn’t know.”
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“That table should spring some interest,” Brian said. “Ivanka isn’t one of Faust’s favorite people and Aunt Granny gives Alex nasty looks if she and Faust much as say hello to one another.”
“Brenda has no reason for concern. Alexandra’s hardly a threat; she and Greise are only good friends,” Byron replied.
“Plus the Germaines are here,” Troy added. “Pierre will run interference if anyone steps out of line, and Al and Patti will be too busy catching up on gossip to care what’s happening around them.”
“Sure, between times Ivanka undresses her with his eyes on the dance floor,” Vince said.
“You and O’Freel are fucking hopeless, Beaumont.”
“Lighten up, Talmadge; I doubt dude could get it up at his age without a little ‘help,’ if you know what I mean.”
Marty snickered at Vince’s comments, sat back on the chair, gulped his remaining drink, and let go a loud belch.
Troy, Reggie, Brian, Byron, and guests at nearby tables glared in his direction.
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Marty stared at his teammates. “What?”
“Remind us once more why you’re single,” Reggie answered.
“Were you raised in a zoo or something?” Brian asked. “Jesus, Marty; you burped in my good ear. Are you trying to make me deaf in that one too?”
“Be thankful O’Freel didn’t fart,” Reggie said. “Trust me; I’ve shared rooms with him on the road.”
Marty threw a wadded napkin at him. “Fuck you, Hebert!”
“Sorry, bro; you have the wrong equipment and are way too white for me.”
“Settle down,” Byron chastised them. “Good grief, y’all need Jesus.”
“I think a few people at this table are beyond the Lord’s help, Preacher,” Brian replied.
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“Speak for yourself, Donahue,” Marty growled.
“Do you want to go outside and discuss this further, O’Freel?”
“Bring it on; it’s your funeral.”
Troy uttered a frustrated groan. “Guys, may I remind you that we’re at a formal event? Try to act like gentlemen for once.”
Brian laughed. “Yeah, good luck with Beaumont and O’Freel ever making that effort.”
�
��What the hell are ‘gentlemen’?” Vince jokingly asked.
Troy shook his head. “You and O’Freel need professional help. Both of you are seriously fucked in the head.”
GM Bright appeared at their table. “Gentlemen, we have photographers setting up for photos in the locker room. Everyone should meet there in twenty minutes.”
***
358
“Let me fix your tie,” Alex said. “We don’t need our captain looking like he chugged too many drinks before picture night.”
“I could use a few,” Troy replied. “I not only have the misfortune of Marty and Vince sitting at my table, but also had to deal with Brian and Marty almost coming to fisticuffs; some ‘come to Jesus’ lectures from Preacher and Babs, and more of Boris’ dumb jokes, all before nine o’clock.”
“Sounds like you’re having much fun as I am. I’ve lost count of both how many death stares I’ve received from Greise’s fiancée and attempts to keep Jax’s hand off my leg.”
“You looked quite content holding hands under the table and slow dancing.”
“We’re not again going through your displeasure of Jax being my date, Troy. This is an evening to benefit several good causes; think of all the inner-city kids that will be helped from proceeds raised.”
He gave her a slight smile. “You’re right, Al. Tonight isn’t about the team or how everyone should behave. Let’s get these pictures taken and then enjoy ourselves.”
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“Hopefully that poor photographer can settle everyone.”
“Joe’s worked with us for years. Nothing surprises him anymore. By the way, I should give a warning that you’ll likely be placed between me and Boris in the front row.”
“You won’t hear any objections from my end. I certainly won’t mind being surrounded by two of the most gorgeous men in hockey.”
***
“Beaumont, stop drinking your beer for five minutes,” Pierre said. “Joe wants to get a few nice shots.”
Vince took another swig. “Get your jockstrap out of a wad, Germaine. We do this same shit every year.”
“You enjoy the spoils, so quit bitching and put away the bottle.”
Alex held back a giggle at their exchange. She pulled a small compact from her bag and quickly glimpsed into its mirror.
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“No makeup. You already beautiful,” Boris assured her.
“Thanks, but I wanted to make sure nothing was stuck between my teeth.”
Jax began rubbing her shoulders from behind the second row where he stood. She didn’t resist the impromptu massage, which encouraged him to slide one hand farther before stopping above her dress’s neckline.
She scowled and gave it a loud slap.
“Hey!” he barked.
“You watch it now, Jax,” Alex warned. “Try that shit again and you’ll pull back a nub.”
Laughter filled the room.
“Serves you right for trying to molest the lady,” Brian said.
Jax rubbed his sore hand. “Ty jsi zlý malý hovno.”
“Keep having wandering hands and you’ll find out how evil I really am,” Alex responded.
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“Hey Ivanka,” Marty said, “I haven’t been laid in over a week yet you don’t see me trying to grab Galloway’s boobs.”
“Thank the Lord,” she replied, “or you’d be crudely neutered.”
Troy glared at Marty. “Your ass will also be mine if you much as think about putting one finger on Al.”
“Don’t have a stroke, Talmadge. She’s not my type.”
“No offense, Howdy Doody, but you aren’t mine either,” Alex quipped.
“None taken, Galloway.”
“Are we finished with these damn pictures?” Lenny impatiently asked. “I’d like to get back with my date.”
“In other words, our ho ass alternate is horny,” Vince said and took another gulp of beer.
“Actually I prefer looking at Buffy’s face in contrast to all your ugly mugs,” Lenny retorted.
“Buffy?” Troy asked with a snorty laugh. “You sure know how to choose them, Walton.”
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“Bite me, Talmadge. You’ve had your own share of bimbos.”
“At least most of mine looked human.”
“Big deal; you held the corner market on models – most of them airheads – but isn’t Galloway your current main squeeze?”
“No!” Troy and Alex shouted together.
“Could have fooled me.”
Alex rolled her eyes. “Shut up, Walton.”
Jax piped in with a slick grin. “She’s my date tonight for those who didn’t notice.”
“Yeah, and probably the only recent one you’ve had that’s neither an idiot nor gold digger,” Reggie said.
“Shut it, Hebert.”
“Is everyone ready?” the photographer asked. “First shot will be for the web site. Make it good, gentleman and lady.”
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Troy stared into the lens with a shy smile with Alex beaming as she sat between him and Boris.
Little did she – or anyone else – guess the night would be one of the last moments of her life as she knew it in the coming months.
***
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Chapter 58
“My feet are killing me,” Alex groaned into the phone while kicking off shoes inside her apartment door. “I also can’t wait to shed this dress. The girly look never suited me.”
“How was your date?” Jennifer asked. “Phyllis said you went to the benefit with Jax Ivanka.”
“Aside from putting his big paws on my leg most of the evening and then trying to cop a cheap feel before the team picture, great. The looks on people’s faces when we walked in together were priceless.”
“Well, take into consideration most of the Rebels’ fan base all but paired you with Troy from day one. I bet his date’s a total bitch.”
“Kelly’s actually a nice person. I had a blast hanging with her, Reggie’s sister, and Pierre’s wife. We’re all going to lunch tomorrow after practice.”
365
“The medical staff already cleared you to work out and take contact?”
“I wish! No, it’s still too early even though I’ve already made considerable progress. I usually go with Troy to watch practices and Donna will be at the arena tomorrow to interview more people for her side project.”
“Oh, right, you did mention someone shooting a documentary about your career. I bet you never imagined being a film’s subject this time last year, huh?”
“Last year I was lucky to make my share of the rent every month and drove an old beater. Now I have an apartment overlooking the city, a car that I know will start every morning, and investments.”
“You put money into other things? Isn’t that a bit risky?”
“Everything’s a risk, Jen. Troy’s financial advisor is guiding me and Jax made a couple suggestions. I have a stock portfolio; a couple real estate investments shared with Troy and now one of three owners of a hockey team.”
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“You bought a team? How was that possible with your salary? You aren’t exactly a millionaire like some of the guys–”
Alex shrugged out of her dress while balancing the phone. “I should clarify the franchise I partially own is in Prague.”
“A Czechoslovakian team? What in the world made you…?”
“One of Jax’s suggestions; he and another guy are the other two owners.”
Power Play Page 20
