Page 25 of The Roommate Remodel

He narrows his eyes. “What kind of mistake?”

“The stupid kind.” A frustrated sigh escapes my lips. “I kissed her.” Admitting it feels like I’m kicking myself all over again. “Then I let her go.”

He shakes his head. “Thatwasstupid.”

“Thank you, Captain Obvious.” I skate toward the bench, away from any more criticism. At least he’s smart enough to not ask why.

“Don’t tell the team,” I add over my shoulder. “I don’t need to give Leo any more ammunition.”

“He’s going to notice,” Vale says, following me. “The tension between you two is like an electrical storm.”

I sit on the bench, avoiding his gaze. “Then I’ll stay away from her. Until we find a new place to live.”

“And if we don’t?” he asks, the question hanging between us. “It could be months before an apartment opens up. You can’t keep exploding every time Leo lays on the charm.”

“I know that,” I grumble. “Doesn’t mean I have to like it.” I unlace my skate.

Vale sits next to me, gripping his stick and staring at the rink. “Do you think we belong here?”

“On the Crushers? Absolutely,” I say. “I don’t believe in accidents.”

“So you don’t think it’s a coincidence that you and Jaz are roommates?”

“What are you getting at?” I ask, pulling off a skate.

Vale looks me in the eye. “If this wasn’t an accident, this might be your chance.”

“Are you talking about hockey or with her?” I ask.

“What do you think?” he replies.

“Pretty sure I ruined any shot I have with Jaz,” I mutter.

When I look up, Jaz is standing on the opposite side of the rink, studying us. As soon as our eyes meet, she turns away, like she’s been caught spying.

“You ready to face the Ice Queen?” Vale asks, referring to Alex, the team owner. With her reputation fornotbeing the warm-and-fuzzy type, she’s earned the nickname Ice Queen for good reason.

“Ready or not, this is what we signed up for,” I say.

We change into our shoes and head to the large conference room in the office wing.

The room is bustling with players and staff when we arrive, and I give a quick wave to Coach Thompson across the room. As the oldest coach in the league, he’s also one of the smartest. He knows hockey better than anyone here.

Vale and I are some of the more seasoned players, whichmeans we stand a chance at being top scorers this season. Not a bad way to earn some attention so we’ve got a shot at the NHL.

I quickly glance around for Jaz, but to my disappointment, she’s not here yet. She’s probably settling into her office and avoiding me as much as possible.

As Vale and I greet the rest of the team, Vale’s elbow nudges my side. He nods toward the door, where Alexandra strides in with Jaz following on her heels.

Even though I saw her earlier, I’m still struck by her beauty. And I’m not the only one. Every guy in the room is looking at her.

Alex gives the team a tight smile, and everyone immediately hushes, like she’s royalty. With her bleach-blonde bob and a form-fitting leopard-print dress, Alex exudes the air of someone with power and money.

According to a quick Google search I did before arriving, she used to co-own the team with her husband. After a bitter divorce, she took over control of the Carolina Crushers and is one of the few female owners of a hockey team—something she’s immensely proud of.

But according to hockey fan chats, she’s not afraid to play favorites. If you’re not one of her darlings, she can make your life miserable, even keeping you from moving into the NHL. Nobody needs to explain how this game of hers works. If I’m going to survive on this team, I need to win her over.

As Alex parades to the front of the room, I glance over at Jaz, who is furiously typing on her computer. I know she feels the same pressure from Alex that I do, but there’s more riding on her performance.

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