Page 103 of The Roommate Remodel

I hurry back to my seat, where Sloan waits alone with a hot pretzel in one hand and melted cheese in the other.

“Where were you?” she asks, dipping her pretzel in the cheese.

I grab her arm. “I can’t explain now, but we need to leave.”

If Alex returns to the game, she’ll see me in the staff section and ask security to remove me, which will be beyond humiliating after everything that’s happened.

Sloan looks at me, puzzled. “Why do we need to...”

“I quit,” I blurt out.

Sloan gapes at me for a beat. “Quit what?”

Didn’t she hear me?“My job.”

Her face blanches as she stops chewing. “You didwhat?”

“Don’t ask.” I grab her hand and pull her down the aisle until we reach the exit that leads to the concession area. “Alex told meshe was shutting down the team, and Brax found out that I knew.”

“She’s doing WHAT?” Sloan nearly screams through a mouthful of pretzel.

“Since I’m no longer employed by the Crushers, we technically don’t have tickets for this game.”

Sloan stops and rips her arm away from my grip. “I’m not leaving. Not in the third period when we’re tied.”

“But we can’t,” I explain, trying to reach for her arm. “No tickets, no seats.”

“I don’t care.” She backs away from me. “I’m not going with you. They need us. Brax needsyou.”

My chest tightens at the thought of him going up against Felipe alone. “I don’t think Brax wants to see me right now. He was so angry at me, Sloan. I don’t know if he can get over this.”

She tosses the rest of her pretzel in the trash, like she’s suddenly lost her appetite. “He’ll get over it. He loves you.”

“I don’t know if he does anymore,” I say, my voice faltering. He hasn’t exactly told me so, and after what happened, I’m not sure he ever could. I thought I could save the team by keeping Alex’s secret. But I was horribly mistaken for thinking I could pull this off without hurting Brax.

A lump rises in my throat. Now I’ve lost everyone, except Sloan. If I can’t afford to pay for her medical treatments, I’ll lose her too.

I cover my face, trying to keep from falling apart. “I’m so sorry, Sloan. I messed up everything, and I don’t know how to fix it.” The emotions are ballooning inside my chest, feeling like they’re about to burst.

She pulls me into a hug instantly, the same way Granny used to do when we were hurt. Sloan takes my face in her hands and forces me to look at her, tilting my chin so her gaze meets mine. “You didn’t mess up anything. You’re the strongest person I know. You’ve taken care of me through every horrible day, every hospital visit, every time I’ve broken down. Now it’s my turn totake care of you, Jazzy. We’re going to fix this, I promise. But first we need to finish the game. Brax needs you out there.” Then she slides her hands to my arms, holding me so I don’t crumple to the ground like a rag doll.

“No, Sloan.” I shake my head. “I’m afraid Brax doesn’t want me around anymore. Not when he can’t trust me.”

She levels her gaze at me. “I’m your sister and your friend. Brax will forgive you for whatever happened. But he needs to know you’ll stand by his side and won’t leave when it gets tough.” Her eyes drill into mine, like she’s trying to give me the strength I don’t have.

“I don’t know where to go that Alex won’t find us,” I say, glancing around, hoping she doesn’t jump out from any dark corners.

“There needs to be a place where we can watch the game and Alex won’t find out. Think, Jazzy. Where can we sit and finish the game?”

“I remember a few seats they keep open for last-minute guests of staff and players,” I say. “Last I heard, no one was using them.”

I take Sloan’s hand as the horn sounds for the third period. Let’s hope my luck has finally turned.

When we arrive on the other side of the rink, I’m relieved to see empty seats. We hurry to settle in and hope Alex doesn’t spot us since we’re mixed in with the fans.

When the puck drops, my gaze flicks to number sixteen. He frowns in concentration and hustles across the ice, never glancing away from the puck for a second. After what just happened, I don’t know if I can repair the broken trust between us. My stomach churns with the slow realization of what I’ve potentially lost.

If Sloan’s right and Brax loves me, then maybe I have a fighting chance.

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