“You’re going to be great. I couldn’t help but notice you looked distracted a few times. Do you feel okay?”
475
“For the most part; Reggie wants to talk to me in private and I think Troy inadvertently shared some of his two-day flu bug with me. He got sick Saturday night about a few hours after Jay Lassiter’s wedding and didn’t feel remotely decent until this morning.”
“No one can accuse Troy of not being generous,” Pierre joshed. “On a serious note, I have an idea what Reggie needs to discuss with you, but I’ll let him handle everything.”
“Oh God, is it bad news?”
Pierre shrugged noncommittally. “Depends on what he has to say.”
“Well I better find Reggie and find out what he’s burning to tell me. I’ll see you later at the team meeting.”
***
476
Chapter 76
“All right, Reggie, what’s going on that you needed to talk in private?” Alex asked between sips of ginger ale. “You mentioned something I should hear from you instead of seeing it online?”
“Yeah,” he solemnly replied. “I want to give you a heads-up about the trade deadline before certain rumors spiral out of control.”
Alex gasped. “Am I among the players being considered for a trade?”
“No, thank God, but you should be aware of some speculations circulating league wide the last few weeks.”
“What speculations? Get to the point, Reggie.”
“What I’m about to say isn’t easy, Alex, so I’ll cut to the chase. There’s talk that Troy and Boris want to be traded to other teams.”
477
“What? I thought they loved being in Pittsburgh! Didn’t Troy state last year he’d like to someday retire as a Rebel?”
“Sometimes a person saying one thing while thinking another isn’t always apparent. Each took the ‘change in culture’ reference by some other teams as cheap shots against their leadership skills. Troy’s our captain and Boris his lead alternate. The positive side is both are extremely close, but in a negative aspect, they’ve become convinced they’re the only ones who have each other’s backs.”
“Nothing’s further from the truth! He and Boris should know better.”
“I can’t speak for anyone else, but with the way our last several games were played, I can understand what prompted them to allegedly consider greener pastures.”
“So they’ll take the coward’s way out by asking for trades? I can’t believe what I’m hearing!”
“No one knows if the rumors are true, Alex. I’m aware how close you and Troy became over the last several months, which is why I wanted to tell you what’s happening before others blow things of proportion.”
“I wish Troy mentioned something to me if he’s unhappy. I would certainly talk to him if the tables were turned.”
478
“Maybe he’s embarrassed to make his displeasure known or afraid of upsetting you.”
“Does Davy know?” Alex softly asked.
Reggie nodded. “He first told me about the rumors.”
“How long have they been circulating?”
“At least two weeks.”
“I wish Troy would’ve said something. He rambles about how he and I shouldn’t keep secrets from each other, yet I have to hear about him wanting traded from someone else? I should give that asshole a piece of my mind!”
“Alex, don’t tell him about our conversation, at least not yet. No one can say for sure what he and Boris are thinking, and you don’t want to brew a shit storm before returning to the ice.”
“Okay, but it won’t be easy to remain quiet. Do you have any more Alka-Seltzer?”
Reggie dug in his bag and handed her a couple small packets. “You’re still a little queasy? Troy must’ve passed you one hell of a bug.”
479
“Jax mentioned Brian, Greise and Johann fighting something similar last week along with guys from other teams.”
“Damn, seems this league can’t catch a break for anything. Last year was a meningitis epidemic; now we’re dealing with some weird stomach thing.”
“At least a flu virus is easier to treat.” She sighed. “Sorry for losing my temper, Reggie; I’m only concerned for Troy’s future and hope he doesn’t make any decisions he’ll later regret.”
“Don’t stress, baby girl. I can understand your concern.”
“Thank you for keeping me in the loop nevertheless.”
“I’m sure Troy would tell you about any trade if any speculations were true.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Are you free for lunch? I’m meeting Davy and sure he wouldn’t mind if you came along.”
“Let me get the rest of my stuff together. You better not order anything heavy if you’re still queasy.”
480
“Yes, dear!” she replied with a laugh. “Let me go find Davy and let him know you’re joining us.”
“Thanks. See you guys out front in a few minutes.”
***
481
Chapter 77
“Why you suddenly quiet?” Boris asked. “I thought you happy Alex coming back Thursday.”
“I am, but still worried about her,” Troy replied. “She was flying high the entire weekend through this morning. Now she’s either snapping at if not altogether ignoring me. I don’t know what I did wrong.”
“Alex no feel well. Maybe rest at home help some.”
“I hope so, Boris. Damn stomach bug’s been spreading through the league like crazy. She always kept good spirits throughout being sick, though.”
“Sorry for eavesdropping, guys,” Byron said, “but I may be able to offer an explanation.”
Troy nodded. “Sure, Preacher; I’m open to any theories.”
“Be warned that rumors have once again surfaced about you and Boris considering trade options to other teams.”
482
“Oh, God; I hope Al didn’t get wind of anything. How do people come up with this shit?”
“We no go anywhere,” Boris stated firmly. “This my hockey home unless someone tell me different. Always.”
Byron gave him a reassuring smile. “I know, Boris, but Alexandra’s still a rookie and likely confused as to what she should believe. The Internet can be a scary place.”
“If Galloway heard gossip about Talmadge and Furishykov, I doubt she got it from the Internet,” Marty said. “I saw St. Cloud and Hebert in deep conversation before morning skate, and then Hebert wanted to have a talk with Galloway after practice.”
Boris looked alarmed. “You think Reggie tell Alex about rumor?”
“O’Freel may be on to something,” Troy replied. “Al had lunch with Davy and Reggie, so it’s likely either or both of them mentioned something to her. That could explain the sudden mood change.”
“She think we want leave? Not true! You tell her, Troy.”
“The tricky part will be first getting her to pay attention without sniping at me.”
483
“You still have little over two nights remaining, Captain,” Byron said. “I suggest you set the record straight with Alexandra soon as possible.”
“Not a bad idea, Preacher. Maybe I’ll stop by her place on my way home after the game for a chat if she isn’t sleeping.”
***
484
Chapter 78
Alex penned secret journal entry before bed to air her feelings of anger, sadness and confusion concerning the Troy/Boris trade rumors:
Can a person love and hate someone else at the same time? I don’t have a clear answer, especially when the question pertains to someone perplexing as Troy Talmadge.
I give him kudos for most of my success with the Rebels and other times should kill him for stupid shit he does (or doesn’t do, depending on the situation). He was so happy last week when I finally got cleared to play after being inactive so long and ready to kiss me Saturday night at Jay’s wedding reception before we were interrupted.
&nb
sp; I didn’t even care Troy passed me his stomach bug over the weekend (it’s spreading in the AHC big time) but am resisting the urge to put my hands around his throat and squeeze hard as possible when I learned something else today.
485
Reggie and Davy alerted me on talk about Troy and Boris’ frustrations with the Rebels’ current performances and requesting trades to other AHC teams. Whatever happened to Troy’s “one a Rebel, always a Rebel” speech last season? Do trophies and larger salaries suddenly matter more than loyalty to a team that made his career?
I’m not upset about him leaving if it should happen; Troy’s more than earned his dues over the last decade. I can’t blame him in a sense if he wants to go to another AHC team or possibly return to Canada and play in their pro league.
What makes me angry is he never mentioned one word about being unhappy. I can see putting on brave faces for the press and fans, but damn it, I’m his teammate, protégé, and friend! I’d certainly talk to him if the situation was reversed. How could Troy keep something so important from me?
Days like this I have to wonder if he cares about me much as he says he does. “We should have almost no secrets between us,” he always said.
“Almost no secrets” my ass. Wonder what else he’s hiding? Perhaps some blonde bombshell in Canada or a few jersey chasers on the side while he’s stringing me along all season? I wouldn’t doubt anything for a second at this rate.
486
Then he has the nerve to constantly carp about Jax and me! At least Jax was upfront with me about some aspects of his life; I never got secondhand information about his “wild child” days being antagonistic toward teammates, his ginormous gambling problem, a glove box full of unpaid speeding tickets, and fallouts with a couple former girlfreinds!
Jax told me everything without prompting; he feels any type of relationship should be based on honesty. Yes, I enjoy the sex (stating otherwise would be an outright lie!), but knowing Jax trusts me enough to share sensitive things about his past makes me feel more valued as a whole person rather than only someone kept for the occasional fuck. Do I love him in “that way”? I don’t have the answer to that yet.
If Jax can be open about his flaws and voice occasional anger about the Rebels on-ice issues, why can’t Troy discuss the idea of a trade with me?
Thursday will be tense, but I’ll do my best to get through the night. I missed being on the ice, so maybe something good can come out of all this.
***
487
Chapter 79
“Not now, Troy,” Alex snapped at him Thursday morning. “I’m not in the mood for any of your diatribes and need to get in extra practice before tonight.”
“Are you sure you’re ready? You were sick for a few days and still look a little wiped out.”
“I’ve played under worse circumstances. Don’t you have someone else to bother?”
“I’m concerned about you, Al.”
“Save your energy; I’m a big girl and can look after myself.”
“You’ve been moody all morning. We can talk if something’s on your mind.”
“I’m a little tired. Now will you get lost?”
488
He held up his hands in surrender. “Do what you want. I’m not in the mood to deal with a crabby bitch anyway.”
“From what I’ve recently heard, you don’t want to deal with a lot of things, Troy.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. Go away.”
Johann witnessed their exchange and then noticed Troy’s solemn expression when he joined Johann on the bench.
“Is Alex okay?”
“I don’t know what’s going through her mind, Baby Finn. Seems like she’s had a bug up her ass all week; she’s bitched at me about one thing after another.”
“Maybe she’s nervous about coming back tonight.”
“No, I think something else is on her mind.”
“The trade deadline? No way would Mr. Halloran agree to trade Alex for another player!”
489
“Glenn wouldn’t consider having Al go somewhere else either unless a more lucrative deal’s on the table. There are a lot of trade rumors going around and I can’t help but wonder if she’s concerned about certain people possibly leaving.”
“Like who?” Johann asked.
“I know Montreal wants Reggie in exchange for next season’s third round draft pick. New York’s bigwigs have been eyeing Greise for a starting goalie position with a better salary since their last guy retired, so he may also be leaving the Rebels soon. Marty could also hit the road next season when his contract expires.”
“What about you and Boris?”
“No, Baby Finn, we aren’t being considered for trades.”
“Thank God; Alex would really get mad if you left.”
“That’s putting things mildly, kid. I can’t help but think she’s starting to hate me.”
“No way! Whatever you did to make her mad today will pass. You guys always make up after fighting.”
490
Troy grinned for the first time that morning. “You’re right; much as Al sometimes gets on my nerves, all it takes is one look in those eyes for the world to fall away and me wondering why I was pissed at her in the first place.”
“You really like her, huh?”
“Yeah…I do.”
“Have you told her?” Johann pressed.
“Not yet; timing hasn’t exactly been right.”
“You better hurry up, Troy. I think Jax likes Alex too.”
“I wouldn’t read much into how he acts around her, Baby Finn. They’re good friends and he’s a little old for Al.”
“They sure do touch a lot for being friends.” Johann got up from the bench. “I need some water. You want some?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
Troy leaned back with a pained expression and observed Alex crack several pucks as Jax praised her from the rink’s opposite side. Seems she goes to him when we have disputes. What did I do wrong this time? Why won’t she talk to me?
491
Johann returned with two bottles of water and handed one to Troy. They talked a while longer before Johann’s tutor arrived for morning classes. Troy headed to the dressing room, still muddled in the head about Alex’s attitude change from the previous week.
He sat and stared at his locker’s contents before noticing something amiss. The athletic strap hanging on a hook near his jersey looked off. Troy grabbed it for a closer look and dropped it in horror.
This is one of Al’s jills! Someone pulled another prank. Oh God, I do not need this today.
Troy wasted no time confronting teammates as they filtered into the locker room and began laughing at his predicament.
“Damn, Talmadge, some people say you’re a pussy, but we had no idea you and Galloway shared jills!”
Troy glared at him. “You’re not funny, O’Freel; not funny at all.”
Alex spied the garment and snatched it from his hand. “Troy Talmadge, you disgusting pig! I would’ve expected something like this from Lenny or Vince, but you?”
492
“Al, I didn’t take anything. Someone put that in my locker and–”
She put up a hand. “I can’t even deal with you today. So help me God, you are dead meat if anything of yours turns up in my locker.”
“I can assure you the Captain had nothing to do with your protective gear turning up among his things, Alexandra,” Byron said.
“Well it didn’t grow legs, walk out of my dressing area, and jump into his locker.”
Jax glared at Vince. “I may have an idea who is the guilty party.”
Power Play Page 27
