Page 120 of The Roommate Remodel

“Are you sure they’re not laughingatyou?” she suggests.

She’s trying to shake our confidence so we’ll fail.

“Your little plan to pull this off without me failed miserably,” she says. “But good news, I get to see you fail firsthand!”

I cross my arms. “After this, we’ll see who the joke’s on.”

She gives us a tight smile before wheeling around and striding away.

“Forget her,” I say to the guys. “She isnotone of our fans. Those people are.” I point to the roar on the other side of the tunnel. I think of Jaz, Sloan, and all the fans who showed up when our season opened and the arena was mostly empty. I think of Ethan in his decorated wheelchair and Ms. Bennett’s kindergarten class, who are cheering us on alongside the elementary school.

As soon as the strobe lights flash, the crowd erupts. The roar is deafening.

Vale is the first one out of the tunnel. Since I’m toward the back, I have time to scan the audience, but what I see catches me off guard. The place is packed.

“You’re after me.” Tate elbows me to make sure I’m paying attention before he races out onto the ice tofind his place. I lock eyes with Jaz from her front-row seat. She’s cheering wildly and blows me a kiss.

As I take my place, I see Brendan behind Jaz, sitting with a man who I guess is his uncle.

The audience hushes as the music begins, and the energy in the place feels electric. It’s enough to make us perform better than we ever have. I don’t miss a single move, and when it’s time for our individual dance breaks, no one holds back. Just like Brendan predicted, the crowd goes wild for everyone’s solo moves. They don’t care if we can actually dance. They like that we’re willing to put on a show that’s unlike anything else.

As we reach the final pose, the crowd leaps to their feet. Every single guy is soaking up the attention.

Vale gives me a nod and whispers, “You’re not a bad dancer after all.”

I mutter, “It’s the last time you’ll ever see me dance in public.”

As we line up for the next event, I spot Ethan in the crowd. He’s waving to me while Coach Thompson steps up to the microphone to deliver a rousing speech.

I only have a minute, but I skate over to Ethan, who beams at me as I pull up to the plexiglass. Janie Bennett is a few rows behind Ethan, and everyone from her Little Monsters’ class waves at me like I’m a superhero.

“You were amazing out there!” Ethan claps, and I can’t help but smile. I know he’d say that even if I’d fallen on my face.

“Thanks. I was pretty nervous.”

“YOU get nervous?” he asks, his eyes growing wide.

“Yep. Even hockey players feel afraid sometimes. Especially around pretty girls.”

I sneak a glance at Jaz, who gives me a puzzled frown across the arena.

Ethan catches who I’m staring at and asks, “Are you going to marry her?”

I laugh. “It’s a little too soon for that.”

“Well, do you love her?” he asks, like it’s just that simple.

I look at Jaz’s smile that lights up her face, and I know I could never be happier.

“Yeah, I do,” I say slowly, not taking my eyes off her.

“Then you should tell her, because she’s really cute.”

I laugh again. “You have good taste... for a kindergartener.”

“I know.” He shrugs, like this is common sense.

Tate waves me to return for the next segment, and I skate back in line. This is the happiest I’ve ever been, and it’s not because my life is perfect. I haven’t made it to the NHL. I don’t even know what will happen to the team next year.

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