Page 100 of The Roommate Remodel

I stop when we reach his car, hoping to get through to him.

He opens the door to his black Mercedes. “See you at the game, Braxy.”

It’s just another game. That’s what I tell myself when I put on my pads in the locker room.

But even my teammates seem tense about playing the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Maybe it’s because I finally confessed my entire history with Felipe last night after Vale told me I had to. As painful as that was, the guys said they’d have my back, no matter what.

But now that we’re about to face off with them, everyone is quiet. Finally, Dawson brings up what’s on everyone’s mind. “I’ll take Felipe out for you,” he says, sliding on his jersey.

“You’re the goalie. You need to guard the net,” Tate reminds him, stretching his calf muscles.

“That doesn’t mean that goalies don’t get into fights,” he says. “I’m the person he least expects.”

“Not if I get to him first.” Leo gives Dawson a look. “One wrong move, and he’s mine.” Considering that Leo hated me not so long ago, this is progress.

“I like to stir up trouble.” Rourke sits on a bench. “I don’t even need a reason.”

The guys chuckle.

I shake my head. “Why am I not surprised?”

Rourke is always getting into fights, even though he never actually seems mad. He just likes the way it riles up the crowd, and the fans love him for it.

“We won’t pick fights intentionally with this jerk,” Lucian instructs. “We don’t want that kind of reputation as a team.”

“I agree with Lucian,” I say. “Like Coach Thompson told us last practice, ‘If you let your anger control you, you’ll lose.’”

Leo arches an eyebrow at me. “Says the guy with a short fuse.”

“What if he’s out for blood?” Tate asks as he threads new laces on his skate. “If it comes to that, I’d break the rules.”

Dawson gasps. “Sheriff might break a rule? No way.” He ruffles Tate’s hair as Tate swats his hand away.

“If we’re playing a good game, he won’t target me. But that’s up to us.” I give my teammates an easy smile. I’m trying not to act worried, even though there’s a niggling feeling inside me. Tonight,everythingcould change.

Remarkably, the first two periods of the game go smoothly. Other than a few body checks and some rough scrambles for the puck, Felipe only scowls at me once.

With the help of my teammates, I keep my distance from Felipe and try to lie low, letting the other guys dominate.

When the horn blasts at the end of the second period, I notice Vale smiling at Sloan in the stands.

I lean toward him. “I thought I was the only one who was distracted by a certain fan.”

I lift my glove to acknowledge Jaz, who’s wearing my number sixteen jersey again. I’m still inwardly gleeful that she never wore Lucian’s or Leo’s jerseys and promptly returned them after I gave her mine. A big grin spreads across her face, making everything in my body feel lighter, even my worry about Felipe.

Vale plays with his stick. “I’m just making sure Sloan feels okay. You know, with her headaches and this new treatment.”

“Yeah, yeah. Headaches.” I elbow him in the ribs as we head toward the locker room. “Give me another excuse.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? You think I like her?” Vale looks at me incredulously.

“All I know is that after you scored that goal, you looked atherbefore you looked at me.”

One side of his mouth curves up. “Are you jealous?”

I shake my head. “For twenty years, you’ve always looked at me after you score. You didn’t think I’d notice?”

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