Power Play
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“He wasn’t home long enough to venture that far.”
“When is Jax returning to Pittsburgh?”
“He told me on Skype within the next couple weeks since preseason’s starting soon.”
“I better start packing and make myself scarce.”
“You still have plenty of time, Troy.”
He put Anna in her bassinet. “Right you are, now let’s get to work on your training. I want you in top on-ice shape soon as possible.”
***
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Chapter 123
Six months later:
“Everyone needs to stop devaluing Troy Talmadge’s talent because a few new kids have arrived,” Alex said during a radio interview shortly before she was scheduled to resume playing with the Rebels. “He has one Princeton Trophy and lots of great players can't say they have that much. Troy does a great job as a team leader and player. The last couple of seasons were rough, but the team as a whole gave their all to make the playoffs. The Rebels are having a stronger run this season with their new acquisitions and will continue to do so if everyone remains healthy. Maybe I’m biased, but am confident Troy will lead us to another Princeton.”
“Any idea when we’ll once again see you in action?” the female interviewer asked.
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“That’s a question I’ve often been asked since taking maternity leave. I don’t have an exact date, but management wants to bring me back within the next week or two at a home game.”
“How does Jax feel about you returning to the ice?”
“He prefers I continue staying home with Anna, but she’s completely weaned and we have a wonderful nanny to look after her while we’re on the road. I miss playing hockey and can’t wait to reunite with my teammates. I also want to show our daughter she can have best of both worlds. I’ll probably get backlash for saying this, but I think some women who married or dated athletes never had careers of their own. There are handfuls that did and still do, but they’re exceptions and not the rule. I don't get arguments about who takes care of the kids because that’s an issue for everyone and most can't afford the help players’ wives and significant others have. I personally would feel lost giving up my career altogether, especially after so much time and money invested in me becoming a Rebel.”
“Will it be awkward for you to skate alongside your husband?”
“No, he’s a teammate like the other guys.”
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“How are preparations for your return progressing between motherly duties? I understand Troy’s helped you prepare in the last several months.”
“Yes, and some days drove me nuts to the point I wanted to beat the life out of him, but overall grateful for his input. He was also a great help before the Rebels drafted me, so you could say I learned from the best.”
“Sounds like you’re being whipped into shape.”
“You can certainly say that! I’ve also seemed to pick up some of his odd habits.”
“Is Troy eccentric as many people tend to think?”
“He’s superstitious like a lot of athletes. He likes to put equipment on his right side, won’t let anyone touch his stick after it’s been taped, and has other little routines that have to be done in a specific order. Sometimes he gives me hell if my sweater’s not hung ‘right’ or I toss my skates on the top shelf instead of placing them so the blades are facing a certain direction. I can see how he can get on some people’s nerves, but those little quirks are part of his charm.”
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“He’s matured over the last decade; do you agree?”
“Absolutely. He still takes a lot of abuse yet handles everything like a gentleman. Troy has had shortcomings, especially during his early career. People honestly think he's gay, call him a girl as if that was the world’s most horrible thing, and make other disparaging remarks. Some Liberty fans were giddy when Troy got hurt a few years back, and I can’t fathom why anyone would feel such a way. When players go on the ice every night before thousands of fans chanting ‘You suck!’ and making other nasty comments, that's something to be admired. Troy takes everything in stride and it is one of his traits I greatly respect. I’m not saying he’s perfect; he still has heated debates with referees and gets into physical fights with opposing players now and then. Sure he tended to be a whiny child in early years, but people tend to forget Troy was still a teenager when he first entered the AHC. He’s long since grown up, learned from his mistakes, and truly a class act.”
“Does it bother you or any other of his fellow players when women objectify Troy?”
Alex laughed. “I tease him all the time. He doesn’t understand why anyone finds him attractive. He’s like an awkward teenager stuck in a grown man’s body. Some guys with superstar status have acted like jerks, but Troy’s one of the most humble people I know.”
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“What’s the funniest thing he’s done or said?”
“The most memorable was when Troy accidently mooned the cameras during locker room interviews. He was so embarrassed, but not before viewers got eyefuls of the famous Talmadge butt. I’m sure many girls had sweet dreams about him that night!”
“Well, he seems more the shy, quiet, and loner type than an overt exhibitionist.”
“I prefer to say Troy’s more awkward than shy, particularly around strangers. I wish he could have a normal life but his widespread notoriety makes things difficult. His sister once said he’s an old soul and I couldn’t agree more. He doesn’t do social media, misses his old Palm Treo smartphone, likes to go fishing alone in the summer, and does his own grocery shopping. Troy once said he’s not about to let the AHC tell him he's old and needs a wife or girlfriend. The whole ‘married to hockey’ thing is his story until he retires or - God forbid - something unexpected happens. Troy seems to live by the Oscar Wilde quote ‘I think it’s very healthy to spend time alone. You need to know how to be alone and not be defined by another person.’ That accurately describes one facet of his personality.”
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“The two of you appear to get along well.”
Oh lady, if you only knew. “We’ve had our share of disagreements,” Alex replied, “but yes, I consider Troy one of my closest friends.”
“We are almost out of time for today. Thank you for visiting, Alex. Congratulations on your new daughter and we look forward to your return to the Rebels.”
“My pleasure. Thank you for having me on the show.”
***
“You blabbed on the air about press cameras catching my bare ass on TV?” Troy gasped with a red face. “Jesus, Al!”
“The interviewer asked about the funniest thing I thought you said or did, and your inadvertent mooning was first thing that popped into my mind.”
“That was embarrassing as fuck and I’d hoped people since forgot.”
“Not in the Internet age. I don’t know why you’re still mortified. Almost everyone says you have the best butt in hockey.”
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“I’m not going au naturale for the world again, be it an accident or otherwise.”
“Too bad; Man Candy magazine would love featuring you in their sports issue.”
“Don’t even go there, Al.”
She laughed and hugged his waist. “I sometimes wonder if you are the shy type.”
Troy placed an arm around her. “Not around select people.”
“Hmm, of course. Think we could have another training session before I head home to Anna and her daddy? I could use the extra practice.”
He pulled Alex close and deeply kissed her. “Since you were keen on my naked ass earlier, I have a better idea.”
“Oooh,” she purred as they headed towards his bedroom. “Good thing I failed to mention the bad boy many don’t have the opportunity of seeing.”
***
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Chapter 124
“Alex!” Davy greeted her before a team meeting the following Monday. “About time you came back to work, love.”
“How’s the beautiful little lass?”
“Anna’s growing up fast; hard to believe she’s already eight months old.” Alex handed him a photo. “This is her latest.”
Davy studied the picture. “Ivanka’s her pater all right.”
Alex chuckled. “She looks more like him every day.”
“Better keep an eye on the tyke. She’ll have all the chaps lined up at her front door.”
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“When Anna starts showing interest in boys, Jax will likely interrogate all potential dates before anyone’s deemed suitable for his precious little girl.”
“Let me guess; he’s one of those strict paters.”
“That’s one quality of being a parent from the ‘old country’.”
“Are you and Ivanka doing okay?”
She shrugged. “I suppose we are like some other couples.”
“Yet you’re still shagging Troy.”
Alex clapped a hand over Davy’s mouth. “Shhhh! Keep it down; no one else needs to know.”
“Something will eventually leak, love.”
“Not if Troy and I have anything to say. We’ve been discreet as possible.” She sighed. “To be honest, Davy…”
“What? What’s wrong?”
“Things with Jax aren’t rosy as they appear, least from my point of view.”
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“Are you having problems?” he asked.
“No, but I can’t stop wondering if I got married for all the wrong reasons.”
“Wait, wasn’t Ivanka the one who wanted to make everything official?”
“Yes, and I wasn’t thinking clearly when I accepted his marriage proposal. I care about Jax a great deal, Davy; while sex is great the rare times we do have it, I’ve never really been in love with him.”
“So why stay? You’re already a household name and more than able to support Anna on your own.”
“I neither want to take advantage of Jax in a divorce nor cause something that would deny him access to our daughter.”
“He’ll still be able to see her.” Davy placed a friendly hand on her shoulder. “Is remaining in the marriage worth sacrificing your and Anna’s happiness? She won’t be a baby forever and will figure out things as she gets older. Trust me, love; your new contract won’t exactly leave you destitute.”
“I’m not concerned about money. Jax would no doubt offer support for Anna even if I didn’t have a new deal in place. I don’t want her to someday resent me leaving her dad for such a petty reason.”
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“Terminating a loveless marriage is hardly petty, Alex. Do you want to keep putting on a front with someone you never loved because you have an ankle biter, or free yourself for the chap who not only considers you the love of his life, but also clear you never stopped loving him?”
“You’re right, Davy; staying with Jax when he should have a woman who’d truly love him is selfish on my part. He’s a good man under the rough exterior and Anna couldn’t have a better father. I’m also not doing Troy any favors by keeping him on the side for my convenience. You made me realize all I’m doing is toying with both of their emotions and neither guy deserves that.”
“Then it’s time to step back and take a good look at your marriage’s current state, love.”
Alex prepared to leave. “Yes it is. I’ll get things underway after the trade deadline passes.”
***
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Chapter 125
Marty sneaked behind Alex on the bench and planted a wet kiss on her cheek. “Those are some mighty fine shots you’re doing out there, lady! The look on Pete Stark’s face made everything worthwhile.”
She wiped her cheek with a grimace. “Thanks, but save the wet smooches for your dog, Howdy Doody.”
“What, afraid your old man will shoot me where I stand?”
“I wouldn’t put it past him.”
“You two are quite a pair. If I had a dollar for each person who told me they were surprised Ivanka beat Talmadge to putting a ring on you, I could retire tonight.”
“Yeah, well, me too.”
“So tell me something,” Marty said. “Are the rumors true?”
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Oh God, Davy; I hope you didn’t blab about what we discussed yesterday. “What rumors?”
“You and Talmadge throwing around ideas about buying the Rebels.”
“We’ve talked about it.”
“I know you signed a new contract and Talmadge is a millionaire several times over, but how will either of you find that kind of money?”
“I connected with a few interested parties in New York, Troy found some investors, and Mr. Halloran offered us a sweet deal.”
“New York? What the hell–?”
“Before you go on another of your tirades, Troy and I plan to keep the team in Pittsburgh. We made that part clear to any potential investors.”
Marty emitted a sigh of relief. “Thank God.”
“Shouldn’t you be more concerned about the trade deadline?” Alex asked.
“Not really.”
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“I heard some other teams expressing interest in a few of our guys.”
Marty’s interest piqued. “Like whom?”
“Vince, Brian, and possibly Jax.”
“Whoa! Who wants a relic like Old Man? Someone better have a damn good salary cap.”
“Rumor has it Miami has their eye on him.”
“What will happen to you and the kid if Old Man goes?”
Alex shrugged. “I can’t be sure. I suppose we’ll see him every summer unless I get traded with him.”
“I hope the hell you aren’t! You’ve been a great asset to this team.”
“Wow, someone’s had a change of heart the past year.”
“Well, you being on injured reserve after your concussion last season and then maternity leave got a few of us guys thinking we should appreciate you more.”
She gave him a broad smile. “Thank you, Howdy…Marty.”
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Marty did a fist pump. “Yes! She called me by my given name!”
“I think you finally earned it.”
“Hey, do you think the team could use your kid as a mascot?”
Alex scoffed. “No! Rebel Rouser will continue to suffice.”
“Of course he will; I’m only messing with you.”
“You have a weird sense of humor.”
“Someone has to keep things exciting.”
Alex rose from the bench. “I’m being summoned for the next play. Catch you later.”
***
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“What will happen to you and Anna if Jax gets traded?” Troy nervously asked during intermission. “Has there been any word on you going with him?”
“No,” she replied, “but you and I have been around long enough to take most rumors with a truckload of salt. Remember the trade buzzes last year about you and Boris?”
“Yeah, you nearly decapitated me before I straightened everything out with the real story.”
“I should’ve had Glenn insert a no-trade clause in my contract.”
Troy gave her a knowing grin. “Lucky for us, we share an agent who has a habit of thinking ahead.”
“Are you saying…?”
“You and I are immune from any possible trades unless we give the word, shorty.”
Alex punched his thigh. “Why didn’t you say something earlier?”
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