Power Play
Page 33
“No, Kristal; I’ll take everything from here.”
The assistant nodded and exited Alex’s dressing room.
“Jak se cítíš?” Jax asked.
“Trochu špatně od žaludku. Doufejme, že nemám skončit zvracení na Trója nebo horší, některými fanoušky.”
“Měl bych si tým doktora, aby vám zkontrolovat?”
“Ne, Jax; to je jen část z toho, že je těhotná. Mám nějaké zázvorové pivo, takže bych měl být v pořádku, v době, kdy otevřených dveří.”
A grinning Troy appeared behind Jax. “Trying to hit on my date, Ivanka?” he joked.
“Hey, she’s only on loan to you tonight, Talmadge,” Jax kidded in response.
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“Loan?” Alex asked. “What am I, a library book?”
Jax’s hearty laughter vibrated the walls. “Not in the least, sweetheart.”
“You look stunning,” Troy complimented her. “The stylists obviously had an easy job with you.”
“Merci,” she replied. “You’re in a good mood.”
“Special events always make me happy.”
“I’m sure last night’s big win over Nashville helped.”
“You know me way too well, shorty. Are you ready to assure fans a good time?”
“Let’s make it a night no one will forget.”
Jax patted Troy’s shoulder. “Take care of our maminka. I’ll catch up with you in the locker room.” He kissed Alex’s cheek. “Nenechte přepracování sám. To není dobré pro dítě. Můžete požádat o pomoc v případě potřeby, v pořádku?”
“Yes, Father,” she replied with mock annoyance.
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“What did he say to you?” Troy asked when Jax left.
“He’s concerned I may overdo my door greeting duties,” Alex replied. “Johann and I are working together, so everything should go well. If anyone should worry about anyone, it’s you getting bombarded by gambling fans. Your table will probably be mobbed all night.”
Troy chuckled and shrugged. “Just another day at the office.”
“I always think how you don’t like to be touched but are so humble that you deal with the discomfort to make sure fans have good experiences.”
“We can’t let outside influences or our personal dispositions interfere with what’s important, Al. I’ve seen many players around the league not only forget where they came from prior to entering the AHC, but also act like total jerks to the people who attend our games, buy our merchandise, attend our appearances, and contribute to our charities, among other things. Those players tend to forget the American Hockey Conference wouldn’t exist without fan support.”
“I agree,” Alex said, “and I’m ready to meet some fans.”
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“Do you feel okay?”
“I drank some ginger ale to settle my stomach. Are we going to get things underway or do I have to deal with you and Jax fussing over me all evening?”
Troy offered his arm. “I say let’s send our visitors home happy after they helped support a good cause.”
***
A loud whistle escaped Lenny’s lips when Alex entered the locker room for a Casino Night team photo. “Holy shit, Galloway! I never realized you had a great set of legs for a short chick.”
His comment made other heads to turn in her direction. The room then filled with wolf whistles and playful catcalls.
“Settle down,” Byron chastised them. “I’m more convinced each day that y’all need Jesus.”
Troy appeared behind him. “All right, you bunch of horn dogs; quit acting like you never saw a woman in your lives. I know the majority of you have wives and girlfriends, and common knowledge states that Walton’s worked through the majority of puck bunnies.”
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“They can’t resist my charms,” Lenny cackled. “You’re all a bunch of jealous freaks.”
“Jealous of what?” Marty asked. “Your bout with gonorrhea?”
Crimson appeared on Lenny’s face. “Dude!”
Hysterical chortling spread through the room.
“He got you, Walton!” Reggie bantered.
“Drop dead, Hebert.”
“Come on, Marty; quit being so fucking disgusting,” Troy scolded him. “There’s a lady present.”
Marty addressed Alex. “Sorry for grossing you out, Galloway.”
She swallowed hard to stave off vomiting. “No harm done.”
“So who’s your date tonight, Talmadge or Ivanka? I can’t keep up with who’s your main man one week to the next.”
“You’re too late to put in a bid, Howdy Doody,” she teased him. “Troy won my company for tonight, and then I’ll spend some time with Jax while the team’s in Vegas.”
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“Geez, and you all have the cojones to call me a man ho,” Lenny said.
“Hanging out with a couple of teammates doesn’t constitute being a ‘ho,’ Walton,” Pierre said. “She’s not the one with a different person every night unlike some guy we know.”
“Go eat a fucking hockey puck, Germaine. I’m getting a beer with Vince before Joe shows up for pictures.”
“Wrap your willy if you find any strange lasses on the way!” Davy called after him.
“Bite me, St. Cloud!”
Troy and Alex glanced at each other. “To think we play alongside these clowns at least eighty-two games a year,” he said.
“Things could be worse,” she replied. “Now let’s get you loosened up and into the spirit of tonight. You are way too uptight for a man your age.”
***
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Chapter 93
“Beaumont, will you knock off the selfies before I flush your damn phone down the nearest toilet?” Troy groused at Vince. “You’ve been a pain in the ass all evening.”
“Come on, Talmadge,” Vince coaxed, “just one more with us and Galloway. This is the team’s first Casino Night, so why not make it a memorable one?”
“Make this picture quick,” Alex said, trying to resist the urge to hurl. “I need to make a trip to the ladies room soon.”
Troy’s face was etched with worry. “Are you okay?” he asked in a near-whisper.
“I’m managing.”
“Should I find a staff person?”
“For the love of God, will you stop? I swear you and Jax are in competition to see who can antagonize me the most.”
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“Je suis inquiet pour vous d'être sur vos pieds tellement dans votre état,” he replied in French.
“Comme je dis toujours Jax, Troy, je suis enceinte, pas malade.”
“Okay, but let Baby Finn know if you get tired. I’m sure he’ll take care of things alone if the need arises.”
“Go to your game table, Troy. People are waiting.”
Johann spotted Alex and beckoned her from the main entrance. She noted his jovial mood and remembered feeling similar enthusiasm attending her first adult event at eighteen.
“Everything going well here?” she asked.
“Great! Fans coming in have been cool so far. I never thought working benefits could be fun. I know some guys said the novelty eventually wears off, but–”
“Forget the naysayers and enjoy your moment. As Troy always says, a person gets whatever effort they put into something.”
“Thanks. Are you all right? You look kind of pale.”
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“Some stubborn bug I’ve battled off and on for a while; nothing a little ginger ale won’t handle.”
“I’ll find you something to sit on.”
“Jo, that isn’t necessary.”
“Nope, I insist. I’d feel bad if you passed out or worse.”
“Fine, you may get me a chair.” I have a feeling Jo’s talked to either Troy or Jax. He’s more solicitous than usual tonight.
“Be back in five,” Johann said.
Byron waved to her from the main floor. “Hey, Alexandra!”
“Hi, Byron! Everything going okay back
there?”
“People are keeping us busy. This event isn’t my cup of tea, but since proceeds are going to a great cause, I’ll grit my teeth and go with the flow. Hank’s here tonight. The event planners called him after Greise left to play for New York.”
“As if the poor man doesn’t have enough to do taking over on game nights while I’m on leave.”
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“No, Hank loves working the charity circuit. Apparently the Scranton Revolution has also done fund raisers. Maybe you two can chat during break. I’ll send him over later.”
“I look forward to hearing him say some good stuff about Scranton.”
Johann returned with a chair. “Here. Now you can get more comfortable.”
“Thanks, Jo. I’ll be in the ladies’ room if anyone asks.”
“No problem; take your time.”
Alex rushed toward the nearest rest room. She barely made it inside an empty stall and retched for what seemed a countless number of minutes.
God, I hope this thing passes before Friday. The last thing I want is to throw up all over Jax on our wedding night.
She peered through the stall’s door crack to make sure no one was present. She washed her hands at a sink, cupping a little water in them to rinse her mouth, banishing the caustic taste left from regurgitating.
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Alex wiped her lips and returned to the front entrance as raucous laughter erupted.
“What’s so funny?” she asked in a low voice.
“Someone got a handful of Troy’s ass,” Pierre replied between guffaws.
“What did he expect?” Reggie howled. “The thing is thick as fuck. Most women and gay guys go for junk in the trunk and we all know Troy has plenty to go around.”
“Oh, God,” Alex muttered. “He’s not comfortable being touched to begin with and now probably mortified by a total stranger grabbing his butt.”
Marty strode up to them. “This is what happens when we have booze at benefits.”
“Smells like you have couple, O’Freel,” Boris replied. “How you make sure people behave when drink too much?”
“Don’t worry; Ivanka already intimidated most potential troublemakers. Looks like we initially missed Talmadge’s gooser, but Ivanka managed to throw out the guy anyway.”
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“Guy?” Alex asked, wide-eyed.
“Yeah, ass grabbed by a dude! You know he won’t live down that shit for a while in the locker room.”
“No one can help Talmadge is all thighs, lips, and ass,” Lenny said. “He’s the ultimate dirty fantasy for chicks and guys, not to mention bowlegged like someone who just got off a horse after riding it for weeks.”
“God, Walton, you’re going to make me barf,” Alex replied. “Could you get sex off the brain long enough to tell Johann I’m talking to Troy for a few minutes?”
“Yeah, Stover’s watching my table because I have to piss anyway.”
Alex shook her head in disgust, plucked a mint from one of the smaller bowls, and popped it into her mouth before she headed to Troy’s table.
He turned and faced her. “Is everything okay?”
“I was about to ask the same question. Pierre told me what happened.”
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“Yeah, someone got a little uh…enthusiastic when I picked up something from the floor.”
She leaned toward him. “Consider being goosed a compliment.”
“Not funny, Al.” Troy sniffed and made a face. “Did you puke again?”
She nodded. “The buffet didn’t agree with me.”
He gave her a knowing glance. “Preacher’s serving non-alcoholic drinks. I’ll send him over to the door with a couple ginger ales for you.”
“I appreciate the gesture. Next time you need to pick up something, either stay seated or at least squat. Bending only invites trouble for you in more ways than one.”
***
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Chapter 94
Casino Night ended at eleven o’clock and several Rebels players who participated relocated to the locker room to change into street clothes and relax.
Alex felt a sense of relief while she pulled on a pair of faded jeans and a loose sweater. She just finished sliding on ankle boots when someone knocked on the door.
“Who is it?”
“Váš brzy-k-být manžel,” Jax replied.
“Nemusíte ho inzerovat na celém světě dosud. Vstupte.”
He walked in with concern marking his face. “Talmadge and Jokela said you zvracel a couple more times tonight. Is everything okay?”
Alex managed a small smile. “Nemyslím si, že dítě bude fanoušek kasino stylu bufetů. Thank goodness for Byron’s magic ginger ale. Reggie also gave me an Alka-Seltzer, so I should be fine rest of the night.”
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“I’m taking you home.”
“I rode with Troy. I don’t think he’d appreciate me leaving without a word.”
“I already told him. He’s staying to play cards with Furishnykov and a few other guys.”
“Then we should be fine long as you haven’t been drinking.”
“Matka mého dítěte is now in my care, so I’m quite sober.”
Alex turned sideways. “Am I showing?”
“No, now quit being paranoid. I’m no doctor, but you probably won’t for a while yet.”
“Good, I’m in no mood to answer questions sooner than necessary.”
“You do look ready to fall asleep on your feet.”
“We had a long night with enormous turnout. Jo and I thought that main entrance would never close.”
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“Better we all kept busy than hanging around looking like idiots.” He opened the car’s passenger door. “I also told Talmadge I plan to stay with you tonight.”
“Jax, I know this is our first child, but you’re overbearing and driving me nuts.”
“I’d be a lousy expectant dad if I wasn’t.”
“Okay, you can stay tonight but at least try to calm down until Friday!” she shouted.
“Ahhh, Friday. Next to the Princeton Trophy playoffs, it will be a day I look forward to most.”
“Now I know why you never married,” Alex said with a chuckle when he got in the car and started its engine. “You still have hockey on the brain even with our wedding a few days away.”
“Not really; I didn’t know where or when I’d get married, or if any American girl would come to the Czech Republic with me each summer.”
“So that’s the real reason you didn’t bother with anyone from this country before we met! You’re only blowing smoke with all the ‘American women forgot their place in society’ bullshit.”
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Jax smirked. “Perhaps.”
“You’re complicated person, but I guess geniuses often are.”
“You view me as a genius?”
“Oh, I’ve done additional due diligence on you, Jax Ivanka. You may have been a prima donna in your early years but long since changed into a spiritual, down to earth, and thoughtful man under the macho veneer. You almost singlehandedly saved the Prague hockey team from bankruptcy, went to Internationals with a broken wrist during the 2005 AHC lockout and helped the Czech Republic bring home a gold medal, gave the national team a profound motivational speech during Internationals in 2010 and blew away Team Russia in those finals. Your work ethic is admirable; you’re still considered a legend in the eyes of fans and colleagues alike, and though you still struggle to accurately convey feelings, I can’t help but hope that if this baby’s a boy, he inherits at least most of your traits.”