Chapter 9
NINE
ALEX (ALEXEY)
Julian hadn’t messed up the covers on his bed before his father had gotten into his room.
What excuse could he have given him? I’d returned to my room after the team breakfast and meetings.
Our game wasn’t until this evening, so I’d played a few rounds of Call of Duty with the guys before my nap. We’d leave for LA tomorrow morning.
I grabbed my laptop and headset from my bag and then sat at the headboard of my bed. The guys should start any minute. I didn't know where Julian’s father had taken him. He might be gone the entire day.
As I started my laptop, my phone buzzed on the nightstand beside me, reading, Margot.
“Fuck.” Had another disaster happened at home? I answered the call, setting the phone on speaker. “Hey, how’s it going?”
“Great. I was calling to see how you’re doing. Word is, you didn’t play so well last night,” she said. “Pre-season jitters?”
More like Julian jitters. “Yeah, I had an off night. It’s nothing to worry about. I’ll be back to normal tonight.” I’d clicked my gaming app open. “How’s the hot water?”
“It’s great.” She let out a soft huff. “How’s Julian Mercer? I sensed you didn’t want to discuss him last time we talked.”
She was on this again? “He was in the room with me and he’s fine. We’re getting along better after spending the night together." Fuck, that didn’t come out right. I flinched. “I mean, sharing a suite.”
“Oh, that’s good. He’s gay, right?”
Why did it matter? “Yes, he’s gay. I think it’s one reason his father made the team so welcoming for queer players.” I fingered my headset. How could I get her off the phone so I could join the game?
“Did you find it odd sharing a room with a gay man? I mean, you didn’t undress in front of each other, right?” She snickered.
“Margot, I’ve undressed in front of gay men before. I share a locker room with several of them. It’s not like…” Except it had been. We’d done a lot more than undress. “You know.” This conversation was so strange.
“Oh, yeah, I didn’t think about that. Anyway, you have your own rooms now, I assume?”
“Yes, we have our own rooms.” Even though Julian still slept in mine. We’d have to be more careful. “The guys are playing Call of Duty, so I should join them. Was there something you needed to tell me?”
“Oh, what would you prefer for dinner when you get back? Steak or salmon?”
“Um…” She’d insisted on making me dinner, even when I’d told her not to worry about it. “Steak would be great.” We would have a rest day before our string of home preseason games, allowing me to have a heavier meal.
“Okay, steak it is. I found some great filet mignon at the grocery store yesterday.”
Nodding, I said, “Sounds good. Have you looked at any apartments?” Upon my return, she would have lived in my place for two weeks already. Surely she should have found something.
“I have, but I’m looking for a two bedroom and the only one that fit my budget looked like they hadn’t renovated it since the nineteen-eighties.” She snickered. “I don’t want to move again for a while, so I want a place I can be comfortable in for a long time.”
In other words, she was being picky. “Okay, well, good luck with that. I need to go now.” I glanced at the gaming app, now open and showing the players. Most of the guys were already on.
“Sure, see you when you get home.”
“See you. Bye.” After ending the call, I tossed my phone onto my bed. God, I hoped she found a place soon.
I hadn’t seen Julian all day, except for the brief encounter in the locker room while we’d prepared for the game against the Sharks. I’d performed significantly better tonight, and Coach had congratulated me on my skills.
After retiring to my room, I changed from my suit into my sweats.
What was Julian doing? Would his father keep him busy all night?
I climbed onto my bed and leaned my back against the headboard.
I had some time to kill. I’d check in with my little sister, Tatiana.
Her season in the PWHL didn’t start until November, so she would still be hanging around Brooklyn with Mom and Dad. I pulled up her number and called.
“Anno, Lyosha. How are things? You’re on the road, aren’t you?” she asked.
“Anno, Tanya. Yes, I’m in San Jose tonight, and we fly to LA in the morning.” Warmth spread through my heart. Her voice had always calmed me. It felt like returning home, but one without pressure.
“I heard you played like shit last night. It was all over the hockey blogs. What happened?”
Fucking blogs. They loved to pick up on shit like that for the clickbait value.
“I redeemed myself tonight. I just had an off night, you know, first game of the preseason.” As footsteps clomped in the hallway, I glanced at my door.
Was that Julian? My pulse picked up speed. If so, this would be a quick call.
“Ah, good. I’m glad you’re back on track. Otherwise, you’d get a lecture from Dad.” She scoffed a laugh. “I’m surprised he didn’t already call you.”
“Maybe he saw tonight’s game and decided it was unnecessary.” I tipped my head back, gazing at the light splashing across my ceiling from my nightstand lamps. “How’s Mama and Papa, anyway?” I owed them a call. I hadn’t checked in with them since I’d left to return to Arizona.
“Same. Papa will travel to Russia next week to scout some players from the MHL. Mama seems pleased to have the house to herself for a little while.” She chuckled. “Mama has been cooking up a storm lately, though. She thinks I’m too thin.”
“You looked a little undernourished the last time I saw you…” I sniggered. She might train harder than I did.
“Oh, stop it, old man. My stamina is at its best.” She scoffed.
“I’m only two years older than you. I’m not old.” But in hockey terms, I was getting there. With a grin, I picked at the hem of my shirt.
“Have you considered your plans for retirement? Realistically, you have less than five years.”
“I know. I hope to stay with the Coyotes. Hell, maybe I can become a scout like Papa.” Though coaching would be fun. With my experience as team captain, it wouldn’t be out of the question.
“So, what else is new there? Are you mentoring any promising rookies?”
No, just the owner’s son…Should I tell her about him? “I’m, uh, it’s the owner’s son. He graduated from Harvard and started working with the team.” I shifted on the bed.
“Oh? That can either go well or badly. Do they have you mentoring him?” She inhaled quickly.
“They do. He’s uh…” As warmth floated across my heart, my grin widened.
“He’s an interesting guy. He didn’t know a thing about hockey when he started.
In fact, I’m not even sure he liked it. But he’s coming around.
” I scratched my cheek. “His father came by today, so he’s been off somewhere with him.
” I'd better stop before I gushed over him.
She was perceptive and would pick up on it.
Soft, but distinct knocking filtered into the room. Shit, it might be Julian. Speak of the devil. “Hey, Tanya? Someone’s at my door. I need to go.”
“Oh, one of your teammates? If it happens to be Nolan Laine, tell him your sister thinks he’s hot.” She giggled.
“I’m not telling him that.” With a tsk, I climbed off the bed and padded toward the door. She thought Laine was hot? “Anyway, tseluyu. Poka.”
“Poka, bratishka.” She ended the call as I reached the door.
The knocking came again, harder this time.
With my pulse ramping up, I opened the door, my gaze catching on Julian, his hair down and damp as if he’d taken a shower, and his team sweats hugging all his amazing assets. “Hey.”
“Did you miss me?” With a smirk, he entered the room, holding up two cans of beer. “I figured we could share a beer in your room since you refuse to check out the lobby bar.”
He was always pushing boundaries, this one. But what the hell. “Sure.” I checked the empty hallway and then shut the door.
“Relax, I wouldn’t linger outside your room when people are there.” With a huff, he fell onto the end of the bed and snicked a beer open. “Though I’d craft a solid excuse if they did.”
“Yeah? Like what?” As I sat beside him, he handed me a beer. “What explanation did you give your father this morning when he noticed you hadn’t slept in your bed?” I opened my beer and sipped it. It was ice-cold and refreshing as hell after the game.
“I told him the maid likely visited while I was at the gym and commended the staff on their excellent service.” He gave me a smug grin.
“Did he buy it?” I drank more beer. We might have to order additional beer from room service.
“I don’t know. But he stopped questioning me about it.” He leaned against my side, resting his cheek on my shoulder. “It was an exhausting day. Dad introduced me to every member of the damn staff that travels with the team. I had to make small talk and sound like I was interested in them.”
Shaking my head, I wound an arm around him.
“Poor baby had to do your job.” I kissed his cheek.
“You know that’s one thing people appreciate about your father.
He always seems interested in people’s lives, no matter how low on the staff level they are.
” I’d seen his father even chat with the janitors at the rink.
“Yeah, well, it’s exhausting for me. I never know what to say.” He turned his head and brushed his lips against mine in the softest of kisses. “Who did you speak with on the phone? Did Margot call you again?” He tensed his mouth and then drank his beer.
“No, well, yeah, Margot called me earlier, but I was just talking with my sister. She plays center for the Minnesota Frost.” I glanced behind me at the headboard. It would be more comfortable up there, and then maybe…
“What’s the Minnesota Frost?” He straightened, his gaze finding mine.
“A team from the WPHL, the NHL counterpart for women.” I smirked at him. “How do you not know this?”
“I think you know why.” He straddled my lap, holding his beer at my back. “What did Margot want?”