Page 22 of The Roommate Remodel

“He said it was an accident,” Tate says in my defense.

From the kitchen, Sloan hands Jaz a generous plate of bacon.

As Tate and Vale reach for the bacon, she pulls it away at the last second. “Let’s try to share, okay? Another house rule.”

Lucian takes the plate instead and hands it to me.

“How can the guys help around the house?” Lucian asks. “I don’t want you cleaning up after a bunch of grown men.”

Leo frowns. “I thought we were here to play hockey?”

“This isn’t a hotel.” I give Leo the stink eye. “I recommend assigned duties, just like if we were living in an apartment.”

If Sloan is still struggling to get out of bed some days, how would she be able to clean up after four guys? I don’t want Jaz to shoulder the burden, especially since she’s taking care of Sloan.

“If we were renting an apartment, I wouldn’t clean up there either,” Leo confesses with a shrug. “Just saying.”

“Disgusting.” Tate shakes his head, like he can’t stomach the thought.

“As long as we live here, we’re all responsible,” I say.

Lucian nods in agreement. “If this is something you care about, Brax, would you mind making chore assignments with Jaz?”

“I can do it,” Jaz interrupts. “Unless you have a problem with that?” She looks at me.

“Not at all.” If she’s testing me to see how quickly she can push me away, she’s going to have to try a lot harder. I want her to know I’m on her side now. I fully respect that she’s running the show here. “Your house. Your rules.”

Something flicks behind her eyes. “The rules aren’t difficult. We’re all adults here.” Jaz looks us over like we’re a bunch of prepubescent boys. “And I’mnotyour mom.”

“You certainly don’t look like my mom,” Leo says with a grin.

I kick him under the table.Hard.

“Ow! What was that for?” He glares at me.

“Being rude. Apologize now.”

“I was complimenting her,” he argues. “I’m not sorry for noticing a beautiful woman.”

I lean across the table toward Leo and narrow my eyes. “That wasmorethan noticing. Not to mention totally inappropriate.”

Jaz clears her throat. “Guys.”

“No one said flirting is a rule,” Leo reminds me.

“Maybe it should be,” I grumble.

Leo leans across the table. “What abouther house, her rules?”

“Guys!” she says, louder. “I’m standing right here. Stop talking about me like I can’t hear you.”

I lean back and cross my arms while Leo scowls at me. The guy has an ego the size of a Texas belt buckle.

“Let’s get back to house rules,” Lucian says, looking between Leo and me, noticing the tension between us.

I can already tell this housing arrangement is going to be...interesting.

“Our situation isn’t ideal,” I begin. “But living together is going to force us to learn to work with each other. We could use that to our advantage.”

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