He couldn’t help but laugh after the signal turned green, thinking how Alex would love hearing about his latest bizarre fan encounter. Troy missed the time they spent together and looked forward to her return from maternity leave.
Now to aim for advancing past the playoffs’ first round unlike last year…
***
701
Chapter 110
“Why weren’t you the game with Jax last night?” Troy asked when Alex answered her phone. “I missed you.”
“I went to the emergency room with contractions,” she replied.
“What? Wasn’t it a bit early for you to have the baby?”
“No, no baby yet. With the way you worry, people would think you were the father if they didn’t know any better.”
“Someone has to. I can’t believe Jax played last night without mentioning a word to anyone about you when he should’ve been at the hospital.”
“I insisted he go to the arena. There was no point hanging around with me when he couldn’t do much anyway.”
“Is everything okay?”
702
“The contractions were only Braxton-Hicks. In other words, false labor. The baby and I are fine.”
“I’m coming over.”
“You don’t need to, Troy. I’m feeling much better.”
“No arguments; I’m on my way. I wondered why Jax left in a hurry after the game.”
“He did?” Alex asked. “Well he certainly wasn’t with me. I didn’t hear him come home until around two-thirty and figured he was either doing his usual post-game workout or with some of the other guys.”
“Nope, no one saw him anywhere after leaving the arena.”
“Didn’t I say he’s acting strange lately? Jax practically lives at the gym and it’s not normal for him to miss workouts.”
“The offer of finding someone to follow him still stands.”
“No thanks; whatever Jax is doing will bite him in the ass soon enough.”
703
“I don’t want to see you hurt, Al. You have more than enough on your plate as it is.”
“I’m a big girl, Troy, but it’s good to know you’re looking out for me.”
I’ll always be here. “I designated myself for that task the day I met you.”
“Maybe you should visit. Jax is God knows where and I’m bored out of my mind. I hope the hell my OB doesn’t recommend bed rest after what happened last night.”
“I’m about ten minutes from your place and happy to volunteer if you ever need a best rest partner.”
“Troy!” she exclaimed with a laugh. “You need to stop being a tease.”
“Who said anything about teasing?”
“Do you always flirt with pregnant married women?”
“I like to mix things up a little. Hey, I’m almost at your place. How long will Old Man be gone?”
704
“Probably most of the afternoon depending on what he’s doing.”
Or whom he’s doing. “Great, let me take you to lunch.”
“I’m not dressed.”
“So get dressed.”
“You’re insistent today. All right, but nowhere fancy.”
“Your wish is my command, madam. See you in a bit.”
“I’ll be waiting,” Alex warmly replied. “You’ve already brightened my afternoon.”
***
705
Chapter 111
“I love you.”
Alex stopped eating, swallowed hard, and stared at Troy. “What did you say?”
“I meant-” He attempted to take back the outburst but additional words would not come.
Troy didn’t mean to voice his true feelings, given what he perceived as poor timing. She was married to – and expecting a child with any day – another fellow teammate, for crying out loud!
He wasn’t sure Alex would return the ardor even if she did appear discontent in her marriage. An odd warmth always bloomed in Troy’s chest when she smiled; he was thrilled Alex agreed to join him for an impromptu picnic at one of the park’s remote spots where no one would see them together and spread gossip.
He loved spending time with her and how heartbroken he’d feel if they never again saw one another outside the hockey business.
706
Which could happen at any moment, thanks to your big mouth, Troy.
Alex’s gleeful squeal and tight hug interrupted his cogitation. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear you say those words!”
“Wait, what? You’re still married.”
“Troy, I’m going to be honest. I care about Jax but never loved him in the way he needs.”
“Then why…?”
“I was so blindsided by an older man’s attentions that I didn’t stop long enough to think everything through. Marriage was Jax’s idea, not mine. I’d been content with raising the baby alone.”
“You know I would have–”
“Yes, I do.” She gave him a quick kiss. “Love you too, goober.”
Her response stunned Troy. He’d had his share of dealing with humanity; weird requests from strangers, horrible insults from critics and the media, and women trying to sleep with him. Those things he could handle with little effort.
707
What he never expected was Alex’s confession of love for him, not her husband, and now at a loss how to react.
I never figured this moment would ever happen to me.
“Kiss me,” Alex whispered, her eyes dancing, lips close to his.
They locked into an intense kiss as Alex’s petite hands began massaging his shoulders and slid down his chest. His hands seemed to develop minds of their own, gently stroking her body while their tongues explored each other's mouths.
He finally broke the kiss. “Are you sure we should go through with this?”
“I think it’s obvious we both wanted the same thing for a long time.”
He left a trail of light kisses down her neck. “Then maybe we should continue at my place.”
***
708
Chapter 112
“I could stay with you like this forever,” Alex said while she and Troy cuddled in bed.
He stroked her hair. “I’d love nothing better.”
“Too bad we can’t.”
“Maybe someday.” One of Troy’s hands wandered over her rounded belly before pausing.
A worried expression etched his face. “Oh, God. Did I hurt you? I felt something strange.”
“Troy, relax. The baby’s moving. You didn’t do anything to harm her or me.”
“Holy shit, you need to put some skates on the kid.”
“Don’t give baby daddy any ideas.”
709
“I take it Old Man wants to continue the Galloway-Ivanka legacy?”
“For someone who bitched not long ago how the AHC and Rebels were going down the toilet for drafting a woman, he’s hell bent on training our daughter.”
“What if she doesn’t want to play hockey?”
“I’ll support any career decision she makes long as it isn’t something illegal or degrading. Jax on the other hand…well, I really don’t know how he’d take the news that a child he sired had no interest in hockey.”
“Guess you’ll find out in a few years.”
“When did you know hockey was your future?” Alex asked.
“My dad had me in skates when I was three.”
“Three? No wonder you’re so proficient.”
“You flatter me way too often, Al.”
710
Alex propped herself on one elbow and lightly smacked him. “Stop being humble all the time! You’ve been called the best for the last decade with gold medals galore, a Princeton Trophy, and other long lists of achievements. You have every cliché reason to act like a dick like some guys on other teams, yet you never do. While Stacey Compton faced sexual assault charges in Cleveland last summer, you were in Nova Scotia heading up a hockey camp for almost 300 underprivileged kids. You’re
active in major charities and support gays and women in the AHC. Should I explain further why I love you?”
Troy raised a quizzical eyebrow. “Are those the only reasons?”
“You mean besides being a sweet, gentle soul, a great mentor, and fantastic lover?”
He gave her a quick kiss. “That’s my Al.”
“Well, it doesn’t take much to make me happy.”
“I figured that out not long after we met.” Troy glanced at the bedside clock. “Shit. Time flies when we’re having fun.”
“Already time for me to go home, huh?”
711
“Yeah, unless you want your husband to murder me.”
Alex got out of bed and began to dress. “What Jax doesn’t know won’t hurt him. Who’s to say he’s not doing the same thing as we speak?”
“Too bad you can’t catch him in the act. You’d have one hell of a divorce settlement.”
“Be nice, Troy. I’ll be content to walk away with exactly what I brought into the marriage in the event Jax and I do split.”
“Sounds like his idea of you signing a pre-nup was a waste of time.”
“I couldn’t care less about Jax’s money, but understand why he had one made. His track record with former girlfriends…well, I don’t think any of them had his best interests in mind. Most of them basically viewed him as either a human ATM or a come-up to get famous.”
“Well you accomplished one thing they never did.”
“What?”
“Getting Old Man down the aisle and having his child.”
712
“Again, marriage wasn’t my choice. His and my relationship was intended to be a fling until I got pregnant.” Alex pinched Troy’s cheek. “At least I don’t have to worry about that with us, albeit temporarily.”
He blushed. “Cute. Now let’s get you home before Jax sends out a search party.”
***
713
Chapter 113
Alex was awakened in middle of the night by something heavy spooned against her and hands caressing her body.
“Hmmmm?” she groggily asked. “Whossat?”
“Hey sweetheart,” Jax whispered.
“Jax? Are you just getting in?” She made a face. “You smell like a brewery.”
“I had a late night with some of the boys after my workout. Jindrich drove me in my car and then rode home with Dalek. Did you do anything interesting today?”
Alex barely hid her smile. Troy and I are in love! “Not really; only lunch with a friend and Phyllis called from New York.”
“Nice. Tomorrow’s our big day.”
714
Alex rolled over. “Big day for what?”
“Your surprise, remember? I’m taking you after your doctor’s appointment.”
“Oh…right. Sorry, I completely forgot. Are you sure you won’t give me at least one little idea?”
Jax shook his head. “You’ll have to wait.”
“You love torturing me, don’t you?”
“Sometimes.”
He began kissing her neck as one hand fondled her breasts. “I want you so much, sweetheart,” he growled in her ear.
“Jax...please...not tonight,” she moaned in protest and pulled away. “I feel about to burst and not in the mood.” Plus Troy more than satisfied me.
“You know, it would be nice to have sex with my wife once in a while, or should we set up a schedule?”
“Don’t cop an attitude. I want to go back to sleep.”
715
Jax grunted. “This is bullshit.”
“I'm sorry. Maybe we can have a little fun tomorrow night after the game.”
“Whatever,” he snorted and rolled to his side of the bed.
***
716
Chapter 114
“I would suggest much bed rest as feasible to you during the next several weeks, Mrs. Ivanka,” Alex’s obstetrician advised her. “The baby could be born earlier than my original estimate.”
“Yeah, a couple friends said it looked like I ‘dropped’ a little. How is everything else?”
“You’re doing fine; just take it easy until labor begins, especially after the last Braxton-Hicks bout.”
“Good, that takes a little off my mind.” Looks like I may have to keep the canoodling with Troy to a minimum. Now let’s hope Jax doesn’t continue being too amorous. He went from one extreme to the other – not touching me for months and then wanting sex almost all the time. Weird!
717
Jax stood up when Alex entered the waiting room following her exam. “Everything good?”
“The doctor wants me to have much bed rest as possible. He thinks the baby might come early.”
“Oh hovno.”
“That’s not a bad thing in my case, Jax.”
“So…you won’t go into labor while I show you the surprise?”
“I doubt it, but not making any guarantees. Now let’s go see what you’ve been hiding from me.”
Jax’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “I guarantee you’ll love it, sweetheart.”
***
718
“Spit it out; why are you so chuffed lately?” Davy asked.
“Oh, no,” Troy replied. “I know what a big mouth you have so I’m keeping this quiet.”
“Come on! We’ve been mates for a long time. You talk to Boris about secret stuff.”
“Yeah, only Boris doesn’t blab to the entire locker room.”
“Wait a minute; now I know why you’re being evasive. You got a new lass!”
Troy cleared his throat. “Sort of.”
“About the hell time, mate; I hope she’s good to you. Where did you meet?”
“Oh, she’s someone I’ve known for a while. I swear to Christ, Davy, one word to anyone and I’ll break your fucking neck. I don’t need any shit storms brewing in the locker room or worse, the Internet.”
“Damn, Troy,” Davy said in a stunned voice. “The lass you’re seeing is married or otherwise taken, isn’t she?”
719
“Yeah, another reason you need to keep your mouth shut.”
“I won’t say a thing. Nobody needs to watch some giant angry bloke putting your head on a stake.”
“Thank you.”
“What’s she like? Blonde? Long legs? Drop dead gorgeous? I’m well familiar with the types of lassies you’ve had on your arm.”
“I must confess they were mostly platonic relationships or casual dates, Davy. I really have a thing for brunettes.”
“Ah, I can relate. My Jen’s one. So the lass has darker hair?”
“With auburn highlights. She’s also a few years younger than I.”
“I always thought you liked them a little older.”
“Sure, but age makes no difference when one finds the right woman.”
720
“Isn’t that the truth! How short is she?”
“Around or little over five feet, I guess.”
Davy remained quiet for several moments and digested the details about Troy’s mystery woman until a realization popped into his mind.
“Bloody hell, mate!” he exclaimed. “You’re seeing Alex!”
Power Play Page 40
