Page 35 of The Roommate Remodel

“I’m here to read a book. Where’s your teacher?”

The boy points at a young woman who wears a slightly exasperated smile and has a short, messy bob with a streak of pink in it. She wears a white leather jacket over a Rolling Stones T-shirt and a pair of white Dr. Martens boots. On her lips is a bright red gloss. Definitely not your typical kindergarten teacher.

“That’s Ms. Bennett.” He runs over to his teacher and taps her on the shoulder.

Brax’s eyes widen as he watches the nonstop energy. “These kids are in perpetual motion. It’s like they were given a triple shot of espresso.”

I laugh. “Haven’t you been around kids before?”

“Not really. Vale and I were the youngest, and we didn’t have any cousins close by. According to my mom, we were never still either. And there weretwoof us.”

“Your poor mom.” I shake my head. “They can’t be a tougher crowd than the teams you play.”

“At least my teammates don’t bite.”

I nearly snort-laugh as Ms. Bennett approaches us.

“Welcome to Little Monsters’ University,” she exclaims with all the enthusiasm I’d expect from someone who teaches energetic kindergarteners.

I laugh. Brax gulps.

“I’m Janie Bennett.” She puts out a hand to shake, and I notice a lovely floral tattoo next to her chunky leather bracelet.

“I’m Jaz, and this is Brax. He plays for the Crushers hockey team.”

“Oh, really?” she gasps. “I’m not really a hockey fan, but this should be fun. Maybe I’ll come to a game sometime.”

I elbow Brax in the ribs, and he finally snaps out of his trance. A kid trips on the carpet and a violent wail erupts across the room. “Hockey games are kind of like kindergarten,” Brax notes. “You never know when someone’s going to get hurt.”

“Sounds vaguely familiar,” Ms. Bennett says with a smile. She claps her hands, and the room snaps to attention. “We have an exciting day, monsters! Abigstar for reading time.”

Twenty-three pairs of eyes turn to Brax in admiration. Even the wailing child quiets down.

Brax clears his throat and frowns, like he’s facing down an entire team on the ice.

I jab him with my elbow and whisper, “Say hello to them.”

“Uh, hi?” He gives a small wave, which is met with a chorus of loud hellos and several blatant stares.

Ms. Bennett ushers the kids over to a large rug and places a chair in the middle for Brax.

“You need to stop looking so scary,” I whisper.

“Believe me, I’m not trying,” Brax mutters, totally oblivious to his intimidating scowl.

“Try smiling, at least?” I suggest.

Brax forces his lips into a strained smile. “Is this better?”

“Now you look like a creepy clown.”

“Not helpful,” he mutters between clenched teeth.

Ms. Bennett hands Brax a book calledThe Knight Who Was Afraid of Dragons, and I stifle a laugh because it soundslike Brax facing down kindergartners.

“Here goes nothing,” Brax says under his breath, opening to the first page.

He’s definitely nervous, and my stomach flip-flops as I fake a brave smile.This is all my fault.But I also know Brax has never backed down from a challenge on the ice before, and this will be no different.

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