Page 108 of The Roommate Remodel

Tate’s eyebrows fly up. “Someone get this on video. Leo is humble-bragging.”

Leo frowns. “I’m not bragging. I’m being nice.”

Vale chuckles. “We’re not used to you being nice.”

Leo rolls his eyes.

I turn to my teammate. “Leo, as hard as it is to admit, you make me a better player, too.”

Tate’s phone buzzes. “Dawson asked if the team can sneak up here.”

“Only four allowed at a time,” Tate announces, like it’s the law.

Lucian slaps Tate on the shoulder. “Like that will stop Dawson.”

I look around the tiny room. “They won’t fit in here.”

“Too late,” Vale says as the door bursts open.

The entire team pours inside my hospital room with shouting and laughter. Rourke comes in last, carrying foil balloons. One says “It’s a boy!” in the shape of a huge diaper, next to a balloon that says “You’re expecting!” in the shape of a pink stork.

“Sorry. The gift shop selection was a little limited.” Rourke shrugs.

“Thanks?” I say, taking the balloons from him.

“You survived!” Dawson howls with relief, falling into me with a bear hug.

“I was never dead,” I mutter into Dawson’s chest. He squeezes me so hard, I let out a strangled, “But I might be after this hug.”

Lucian pulls Dawson off me, while Vale smirks. “Somebody missed you.”

Dawson holds up a small wireless speaker. “It’s our practice day for the fundraiser, and we’re not letting you miss it.”

I point at my pale green hospital gown. “Pretty sure Doc won’t allow me to do choreography yet.”

“Not you,” Dawson says as he starts the opening number on his phone and all the guys squeeze together in front of my bed. “Us.”

To my surprise, the guys begin the choreography, except there’s not enough space to practice the moves. Before long, they’re bumping into each other, throwing off the whole routine, while I double over with laughter.

When it’s time the for the individual dance breaks, it turns into something reminiscent of sugar-high preschoolers in abounce house. Leo attempts to breakdance and spins into Rourke, who can only do the same robot move stuck on repeat. Tate moonwalks into Dawson, who’s attempting to leap across the floor like a dancing bear. If they hadn’t woken up the entire floor before, they have now.

My head might still be sore, but I feel ten times better than before. Despite our differences, this is the best team I’ve ever played for. They’re my brothers, and there’s part of me that aches when I think about leaving them.

The party lasts all of fifteen minutes before the head nurse shuts it down and points the team out the door.

The guys moan as they’re forced out. Lucian hangs back a second and flicks a business card out of his pocket.

“I know you have a lot on your mind right now. But two apartments just opened up near the Ice House. They’ll go fast, so if you want it, I wouldn’t wait.”

As Lucian leaves, I stare at the card.

It feels like an awful weight in my gut, forcing me to deal with the fallout between Jaz and me. Maybe this would give us the space we need until we can work things out. After what happened, I need to sort through my feelings, to see if she’s willing to fight for me and to figure out if we can both trust each other enough to get over the hurts we’ve caused. Because seeing her every day—but not being with her—would be torture.

I hand the card to Vale. “See how soon they can get us in for a tour.”

He frowns. “You don’t want to think about it first?”

I shake my head. “Thinking will only make it worse.”

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