Page 104 of The Roommate Remodel

But first, we’ve got a game to win against Felipe.

Tension rises as blades scrape ice and sticks collide. Leo and an opponent are using their sticks like swordplay, trying to stop theother one from gaining control of the puck. The referee calls them on it before play resumes, and Vale takes control of the puck. He hustles toward the goal before passing it to Brax, who shows off his expert stick handling. As he effortlessly maneuvers around two defenders and heads toward the goal, he’s nearly sideswiped by another player.

Felipe knocks Brax off-balance and slams him against the wall, but he quickly recovers as Felipe steals the puck and skates away.

Judging by Brax’s scowl, he’s not about to let Felipe get away with this. He hustles after his enemy before Vale cuts him off and gives his brother a warning look.

“What was that about?” Sloan asks, perched on the edge of her seat, her eyes glued to the tense action.

“Vale was reminding his brother to back off. The last thing they need is a penalty.”

Tate quickly pursues Felipe and catches him, their sticks crashing together, causing the black disk to skitter away just in time for Leo to grab it.

Brax remains focused, navigating the rink with practiced ease while Felipe glides past and yells something at him. I’m too far away to make out the words, but from the way Brax’s jaw clenches, Felipe is taunting him.

I grip the seat, tension rising in my chest.

“Yeah, I definitely think someone should punch him,” Sloan mutters under her breath.

The two men lock eyes, and an electric current of mutual disdain crackles between them.

Vale takes a shot that’s blocked by the goalie, and Brax leaps into action, going for the loose puck as Felipe chases him down. Every nerve ending in my body prickles with energy as I watch Felipe tear after Brax like an animal on the hunt.

But Brax outsmarts him, taking control of the puck and quickly pivoting the opposite direction, leading him around the back of the net until he reaches the other side. He only needs ashort, precise shot on goal with a quick flick of his stick, a shot he’s probably practiced a million times in his sleep.

Felipe barrels toward him and holds Brax’s stick, which causes the puck to spiral out of control. Brax’s face flares as fans leap to their feet in anger and the referee blows his whistle. Felipe mutters something as he’s sent to the penalty box for holding. I drop my tense shoulders, relieved that Brax will get a short break from his enemy.

Sloan turns to me. “I can hardly stand seeing Felipe chase down Brax like that.”

“Felipe’s right where he should be. In time out,” I mutter as play resumes.

The Crushers use the power play to their advantage, passing the puck around, anticipating their opponents’ moves. Without the threat of Felipe, watching them in this synchronized dance reminds me how far they’ve come this season.

At the beginning of the season, their quick tempers kept them from playing like a real team. But seeing them play now fills me with pride. If they only had more time, they could be the best team in the league.

But time is what they don’t have.

Anger burns in the back of my throat. Alex can’t shut this team down. Not when they’re finally playing like a dream team.

As Leo grabs control of the puck, he circles behind the goal and looks for who’s open. Then he sends the puck flying with a perfectly timed pass toward Vale.

“Shoot!” someone behind me yells.

But instead of going for the goal, Vale quickly pivots, flicking the puck toward Brax, who’s in position near the goal. Brax doesn’t even hesitate. With a precise shot, the puck flies into the net.

The crowd jumps to their feet with a roar that’s deafening. Sloan and I scream even though our voices are drowned out by the roar.

Sloan leans toward me. “Did you see Vale and Brax use their twin power? That was amazing!”

“They’re unstoppable when Felipe’s not there.”

That’s when I see him rise to his feet. Felipe’s time in the penalty box is up.

From the look on his face, he’s about to get even.

TWENTY-FOUR

Brax

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